Effectiveness of Pepper Spray

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From the WSCA's Rumour Mill Update:

Pepper Spray Found to be Most Effective in Deterring Bear Attacks

Fortunately we have not heard of any serious forestry worker wildlife attacks this year. Meanwhile Bear Smart reports that pepper spray is more effective than firearms in repelling attacking grizzly or black bears. They base their conclusions on work done by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reporting that experienced hunters using firearms to defend themselves suffer injury half the time. People using bear spray come away uninjured most of the time. These conclusions are supported by the work of Canadian bear attack expert Dr. Stephen Herrero. Interestingly Herrero’s studies cite results from “controlled laboratory tests.” We are left wondering what a controlled laboratory test with a pepper-sprayed grizzly might look like. Also, how does he convince people to volunteer for the tests? Nevertheless, these conclusions are another good reason to carry pepper spray working in the woods, as well as in those large gaps that used to be woods, where silviculture workers are often found.