Testimonials

Stories from Actual Encounters with Bears

Motivated to be the best! 

...it can mean the difference  between Life .......... and Death

Note: As part of an ongoing research project, UDAP Industries needs your true account of UDAP PepperPower^® use against bear attacks. 

Please call 1-866-232-7911 for details.

Testimonials for 2010

....by the time the cops got there, the guy was screaming that I should just shoot him....

We took all the precautions you are supposed to in bear country. We had bells, made noise, and stayed on the trail. However, we still surprised a big grizzly sow outside Jackson Hole . With her two cubs behind her, we were way to close. Your spray stopped the bear in her charge. It looked like she hit a wall. The spray saved her life and the lives of my family. I was already starting to bear my trusty lever action .50 Alaskan, but as the spray broke the charge it was not necessary to dispatch the bear. Since that day 5 years ago we ALWAYS carry your product. In fact, each of our family members has their own spray, and we have trained our children on how to use them. We believe in your product. In fact, last summer some idiot decided to carjack our Jeep. I had a choice between my 1911 or the bear spray. As my son was in the Jeep with me the bear spray seemed more appropriate. Let me assure you that by the time the cops got there, the guy was screaming that I should just shoot him. Your product rocks!

Just a simple man who loves his God, his wife, his kids, his country and his dog,

Dave 

I hear Tara yell, Kyle! The bear is behind you! 

My name is Kyle, I’m a forest tech living and working in northern Ontario (Hearst), Canada . I have had more than 1 bear encounter working up here. The only reason I am alive today is because of your product! Last summer (2009) in late July, me and 3 other forestry workers were dropped off at a lake in a remote area, where you can only fly into. We had to portage along a trail only used by hunters, presumably, for about 800m. When we got about 600m along the trail, 2 of my fellow workers had yelled for me and another to come back because there was a black bear on the trail near them. So me and the other worker walked back about 50m to the other 2 guys, and were getting ready to scare it off. So, there were 4 of us, 3 men and 1 woman. All of us have seen plenty of bears in our lives and felt as though, we could scare it off and we could be on our way. So as we were standing there, watching him come closer, he stood up to a tree and he sniffed the air, also showing us that he was a fairly good size...probably a good 300lbs, close to 7 foot when standing. So we did the whole “whoa bear” and tried to make ourselves look as big as possible...remember, there are 4 of us. So we did that and he wasn’t effected, in fact, he got down from standing up and started to walk closer to us. We grabbed some pots and pans and banged them together, trying to be as loud as possible, then he ran away. Not convinced he was completely gone yet, we just waited for a couple minutes and sure enough, he came back...so we banged the pots and pans again and he ran again. After maybe 5 minutes, we could see him starting to circle us about 20m away. At this point, we didn’t know what to think besides, we are getting hunted! So after another 5 minutes of him just circling us, he started to walk towards us again. We had bottles of butane and propane for our cooking stoves, not knowing what to do, we thru the cans at the bear! Not sure if it was the best idea, but when we did, he would turn and chase them, giving us milliseconds to relax and try to gather our thoughts on what to do next. After we stopped throwing the couple cans at him, he started walking with his head down, low to the ground, walking slowly towards us...and then the huffing started, he started false charging and swiping at us, and at this time, he was maybe 5m’s away. At that point my fellow worker had my can of bear spray ready and aimed and let er’ go fully into his face! He got covered in it and took off running. After about 20 minutes and no more signs of him, we set up camp not to far from where this all happened. We didn’t have much of a choice where to set up camp, since the work we had to do was close. The next morning my workers and I were looking at our GPS’s and figuring out where we had to start the work day, when all of a sudden I hear Tara yell, Kyle! The bear is behind you! And I looked over my shoulder and the bear was again, maybe 10m’s away, sneaking up behind me. The worker who had sprayed him the night before was quick enough to grab the can and spray the bear one last time! He went running and we got on into the river and into our canoes as soon as he left. 

So thank you for making a product that saved mine and my friend’s lives!  - Kyle

P.S. I have included a picture of me, at the actual spot of where the “bear negotiation” happened.

...I gave her the shortest burst I could 

which caused her to retreat...

In coming down an unused road near Jackson , Wyoming , I encountered a moose and her calf. Hiking in this country, moose encounters are not unusual, so I made the usual noise and arm movements and continued slowly toward her. These actions usually cause the moose to slowly retreat, but in this case, she moved purposefully toward me with her ears down. I remembered I had a canister of UDAP Pepper Power on my belt for defense against a possible bear attack and resolved to use it against this moose if necessary. When she had gotten to within about 30 feet of me, I gave her the shortest burst I could which caused her to retreat and ultimately pass me with her calf as far away as the terrain allowed.

Walter

Maybe they should call it Bison Spray?

I've made several trips to fly fish Yellowstone's backcountry and always carried UDAP spray as a precaution in case of surprise encounters with bears. In the last week of September 2009 I found that my UDAP spray could also work on the animal that injures more park visitors than any other - bison!
 
On that late September day a cold front moved in covering much of the park in a light snow, and I spent the day fishing about 4-5 miles up Slough Creek.  Shortly after I started hiking back out I turned and saw a single bull bison emerge from the trees and start following me down the trail.  He was a good 250 yards or so back and it was just a coincidence that we were going the same way, so I did not think much of it.  About a mile on down the trail with the bull still trailing I came over a small hill and saw another bull bison standing just yards off the trail about 150 yards ahead of me.  At about 100 yards away I could see he was agitated, so I yielded the path to circle around behind him making sure I was keeping a good 70-80 yards away.  As I got behind him I lost sight of the first bull but figured there would be a good bison fight when he came over the hill and saw the second.  Feeling safe at some 80 yards away, I got behind the one tree in the area and got my camera out to capture the impending fight.  I took a few shots of the second bull, but could not yet see the first.  Then the second bull suddenly turned and started walking away from the direction of the first, which meant he was coming more or less in my direction.  There really was no where for me to go and the branches of the tree were too high to reach, so I dropped my backpack and camera, got my can of spray out and ready, and stayed as much behind he tree as I could.  At 30 yards, just when the bison seemed like he was going to walk right on past, he looked over at me and then turned 90 degrees to his right and charged full speed at me.  With my 7.9 oz can ready, I started spraying when he was about 15-20 yards out.  He disappeared into the orange fog, then he turned 90 degrees to his left and ran some 80 yards wheezing, coughing, and shaking his head, then stopped facing my direction.  

I then looked to my right and saw that the first bull had come around the hill and was now just to my right some 50-60 yards away.  He looked at me, then looked at the bull I had just sprayed.  The sprayed bull turned away and started running, and the first bull took off after him.  I guess there would be a fight after all, but I was not going to see it.  With some 3 miles or so to go and getting toward dark, I grabbed my gear and set a quick pace on the trail out. 

I've always heeded the park warnings to keep at least 25 yards away from the bison, and actually always thought 50-75 seemed smarter. In this case, even 80 yards (I measured it the next day) was not enough.  I reported the incident to Park Rangers who said sometimes those bulls just go nuts.  The bull that charged me would not have been able to knock down the tree I was behind, but I certainly am glad I did not have to have an agility contest with that bull.  Thanks UDAP! 

Joel Allen - Minneapolis, MN

Thank you for producing a product that really works! 

I have carried a canister of your bear spray for several years now. I trust it more than my Smith & Wesson to keep me and my daughter safe. She worked at Bear River State Park and found it useful against territorial moose and two legged predators.

Where I live, her in Wyoming, your product has been useful for bear, mountain lion, skunks, raccoons, feral dogs and cats. I live on a ranch north of Evanston and ramble in the Uintah Mountains south of here. You never know what you may run into.

Some experienced advice for first time users. When you receive your canister of bear spray, practice outside a few times. Do it in the wind. You may get a whiff yourself, but more important you will know how it works. Just like target shooting with a new gun. Most important – always carry it in the holster provided. I have seen to many folks that carry it in their pack which is inaccessible for use.

Thanks again,  F.H. Latter

Testimonials for 2009

Last update 09/22/2009

Once a dog gets even the smallest taste of UDAP Bear Spray, he never bothers me again. 

I repeat, he never bothers me again!

I want to tell you about another use for using UDAP Bear Spray. My name is Todd and I am an Ironman Triathlete. My sport involves swimming, cycling, and running. I live in Alabama and spend many hours cycling on country roads training. I love the country roads because there are usually not any cars. But, I have always had problems with dogs. Dogs love to chase me and cause me problems. This is extremely annoying and even startling if a dog comes upon you when you are not paying attention. Also, a dog can be extremely dangerous because of the speeds you travel while cycling. A dog made me wreck once causing damage to my bike (which costs $4,000) and causing me to get injured.

The only protection I had against dogs was a loud voice and spraying them with my water bottles. Usually this only kept them at bay and they would always be there waiting for me on my return trip or my next ride. This was very frustrating.

I was talking once with some fellow triathletes and we were having an entire conversation about how much we hate dogs because of the problems they cause us on the bike. This was a very bonding conversation. One of the guys said he uses UDAP Bear Spray to protect himself and the dogs do not bother him anymore. I ordered my first bottle the next day!

My next ride, I tucked the UDAP Bear Spray in one of my bottle holders on my bike and went out for my ride hoping for some payback. Of course, I did not have any problems with any dogs. After about two weeks, I was riding and I started being chased by three dogs. I saw them charging at me and I got out my UDAP Bear Spray. When the dogs were close, I fired the spray at the dogs and missed. I was amazed at how streamline and how far the spray went. It startled me as much as it startled the dogs. The dogs stopped in their tracks and did not bother me even though I missed. They stood there confused. Since then, I have used the spray many, many times. I have sprayed many dogs and put them down from far enough away that I was never in any danger.

Once a dog gets even the smallest taste of UDAP Bear Spray, he never bothers me again. I repeat, he never bothers me again! He will sit there from a distance and watch me ride by. I just smile J

Thank you UDAP! I am now able to enjoy all of my bike rides.

Sincerely,

Todd - Ironman Triathlete -Muscle Shoals, AL

Testimonials for 2008

..."I was shocked at how well it worked"...

I bought the bear spray from Cal-Ranch this spring and never thought I would use it.  I'd only seen a bear in the wild a few times in my life, and the bears were never aggressive in the least.  However, I was so glad that I bought the spray when it saved my life last week.

I was bowhunting for deer in McCall, Idaho and suddenly saw a flash of bear fur in the bush next to the trail I was on.  I quickly nocked an arrow (I had a tag to shoot a bear) and got ready to shoot.  Suddenly the bear burst out of the bush only 4-5 feet away from me up a steep hill.  I got ready to shoot, but realized that the bear was just a cub.  I stepped a few feet back and reached frantically for the pepper spray on my side.  I was scared because I knew that--wherever there's a cub--a sow is nearby.  Just as I pulled the safety clip off of the bear spray attached to my belt, the sow came up right behind the cub.  I can only assume that the sow thought I was threatening the cub, because it was immediately VERY aggressive.  I instinctively pushed the trigger on my bear spray with the bear only 6-7 feet away and moving towards me.  The INSTANT I pushed the trigger, the orange spray shot out at the bears and they both the cub and sow ran away into the underbrush.  I was shocked at how well it worked.

I just wanted to let you know that you have a loyal customer.  What I was sure I'd never need was a valuable safeguard in an unexpected situation.

Jim Harmer - Idaho

..."I will never be in the woods without it"...

Three days ago (8-9-08) I was biking up a Bernie's Trail out of Hidden Lake campground near Cooper Landing, AK with my beagle Daphney. We had stopped at an overlook where I was resting and Daphney began to sniff around. About 40-50 feet into the woods Daph began to bey. I called, knowing what it meant, but barking quickly became yipping. When reaching the scene I saw a 300-350 lb. black bear over her. I burst the spray from about 15 ft. The bear was effected but had the presence to snatch up Daph before fleeing. Most certainly wrong, I impulsively chose to pursue. If Daphney was alive or not I could not stand the thought of that bear making a meal of my family member. I found the two about a 1/4 mile down through the woods, the bear standing over Daph looking at her. I ran up and blasted the bear from about 8 ft. It treed, about 15' up a large cotton wood, right above the dog. After about a 5 minute standoff and another couple shots from the pepper the bear fled, leaving me with my nearly lifeless dog. Daphney did not make it, but we do get to respectfully lay our family member to rest. That bear takes away from this an enhanced respect for, and increased apprehension of humans and the and the pets that accompany them. I realize that the pepper spray is not intended as an offensive weapon. But it did drive the bear off of its potential meal. That makes me feel all the more better about having it along as an emergency defense. I will never be in the woods without it again

Scott Griebel - Soldotna, AK

..."The Bear was about 3 feet away"...

My husband used his spray to stop a Black Bear from entering our cabin through the screen door the other evening!!  The Bear was about 3 feet away from me with only the screen door between us!!   He had come up our steps & across the porch & tried to enter though the screen door.  He had previously ripped our kitchen window screen off a couple times so we were ready with the spray!  This was a healthy, full-grown bear and thank God he hasn't returned since my husband was able to spray him in the face & chase him off the porch spraying him again.

We had purchased our spray can & holster (fits on a belt) several years ago in case he needed protection while walking our dog.  However our dog died (of old age) and we hadn't used it until now.

Andy

Testimonials for 2007

"...At this point, we looked at each other with “He CAN’T be!!!” looks..."

....An approximately 175 pound frosting footed bear was, at that instant, re-entering our bedroom door for more!!! Charles was face-to-face about 4 feet from the bear. Aiming the UDAP spray directly in the bear’s face that bear got the rudest welcome he’d ever had… or, obviously, ever WANTS to have!! In a cloud of orange agony, the bear basically PIVOTED mid-air endeavoring to exit out the door as fast as he could – to escape that noxious spray, making frantic gagging, and coughing-type noises. He leapt up the hill about where he stopped, head down – obviously trying to catch his breath before he could go on. Charles, however, was right on his path, yelling and emptying the can on him. The bear took one look at his tormentor (the can of spray, that is!) and took off again up the hill.....

Click Here For Full Story! - You will love the photos!

   Testimonials for 2006

"...It wasn’t my .44, that I pulled out, it was my can of UDAP..."

My Name is Matt Vermillion, I spend my summers in Chinitna Bay in Lake Clark National Park as a bear viewing guide. This summer I saw first hand the power of UDAP Pepper Spray. We were having trouble with the bear you see pictured, You see he was extremely curious of us early in the season, Which gradually grew into him advancing upon us while on the trail, Talking him down and air horns did work the first couple of times we met this bear, Then one day we were viewing this bear along with several others. The bears were grazing and the trouble bear started grazing directly toward us,, as he had done several times before. At this point the bear was still advancing while we were talking to him, advancing at a very slow pace, just creeping up on us, When talking firmly didn’t work, It wasn’t my .44 you see me holding that I pulled out, But my newly acquired can of UDAP, I sprayed the bear when he was no more than 5 feet from us, I was praying silently to myself that this stuff was gonna work, I would never want to kill a bear for him acting naturally in his habitat unless all else failed, To my relief and amazement the bear immediately turned and ran full speed in the opposite direction with little more that a brief puff of spray to the face, About 20 minutes later we were back at camp after leaving the area,  and I saw the bear with our scope, still rubbing his eyes and face ,,the spray was still effecting him half an hour after i sprayed him. I was convinced after that of the power of UDAP. The picture of the bear you see was a matter of seconds before we sprayed him, looking back at the picture i can see the look in that bears eye, looking right at me, UDAP gave me the option of not having to kill a bear, and to not have that bear get rowdy with me our staff and our guest, Thanks UDAP!

Sincerely,  Matt Vermillion

"...I turned around and saw what the bear was really going after,

 my heart almost stopped..."

My family and I were camping at the Russian River campground on the Kenai Peninsula Alaska when we heard some rustling of bushes about 30 feet away. I figured that we were relatively safe since the grizzlies were down at the river fishing for salmon.  I got up, told every one to stay put and with my bear spray in hand, went to see what it was. When I reached the top of the edge of our campsite I surprised to see a medium sized 185-200 pound black bear coming up the hill towards me. She was trying to get into our site but I was blocking her path. She stopped about 15 feet from me and started thrashing at the bushes for about 10 seconds when she just stopped and stared at me then made a charge that was faster than I believed was possible.  I gave the bear a quick 1 second spray and instantly, the bear spun and headed the opposite direction.  My heart was already pounding and when I turned around and saw what the bear was really going after, my heart almost stopped. My 5 year old daughter had decided to join me to see what the noise was. That was what the bear was charging at.  I kept an eye on her until she was out of sight and she never returned.

I thank you for your product, without it I’m afraid to think what could have happened without it. I don’t enter the woods without it. Period.

 Eric Toney

 P.S. My daughter and I have had long conversations about bear safety prior to and definitely after this encounter

"...We found security in being protected by UDAP..."

Being a wildlife filmmaker requires getting up close to some of the worlds most dangerous animals.  In 2005, our crew spent 3 months in some of southern Africa's wildest places, spending great deal of our time filming creatures notorious of being man-killers.  Giant elephant bulls, cape buffalo, lions, leopard, and hippo just to name a few.  Over that time we had many life threatening encounters.  We had a pride of lions kill a waterbuck 10 feet outside our tent one night.  We had an insane buffalo bull ram our truck full tilt.  We were charged by angry elephants a dozen times.  During all of these encounters we found security in being protected by UDAP bear spray.  Our countless positive experiences with this product made it our ONLY choice, opting to leave the rifle at home.  Thank you for a wonderful non-lethal alternative of protection to allow us to film some of the most incredible things on earth.  So next time I am up close to Africa's big five, I will have my UDAP Big Mama.

Thank you,  The Crew of Untamed

"...I heard a roar and turned to see the bear flowing over some downed logs..."

Hi Mark, We met at the International Bear Conference in Gatlinburg, TN several years ago. You took time to demonstrate to me your spray and what to look for in a good pepper spray. Since that time, I've only carried UDAP, but never had reason to use it as defense against a bear until September of last year. (I have used it successfully against two feral Rottweillers that attacked a mountain biker in Pisgah National Forest here in North Carolina.) While hiking back out to the trailhead after several days in the backcountry near the Shoshone Lake geyser basin back in mid-September, I was charged by a large dark Grizzly near campsite 8R3. I had spotted some scat only a few minutes before the encounter but because there was so little, and because of the time of year, I figured that it was a black bear. The bear charged just after I passed the turnoff to the campsite. I heard a roar and turned to see the bear flowing over some downed logs only a few yards away. I threw my arms up and yelled at the bear, causing it to stop just as it hit the path about 8 feet or so away from me. For about 30 or 40 seconds the two of us had what amounted to a roaring contest. The griz was bouncing stiff-legged as it circled, trying to get behind me. As soon as I thought it as safe to lower my arms, I went for the UDAP spray that I carried, ready to fire, on my pack belt. As I reached for it, the bear jumped in towards me. I fired nearly straight down at its head as it did, with it coming close enough to slobber on my right leg. I only sprayed a short burst, hat may be why the bear retreated about 10 feet, but continued to roar (growl loudly?) and bounce up and down. I then got the spray out of the holster and fired a longer blast, really nailing the griz with the stuff. I literally painted its head with the spray. It immediately retreated, rubbing its head against the ground and weeds as it went. It didn't run away - instead, it would move a few feet, bawling and rubbing its face against the ground, and then turn to face me again. When it was about 50 feet away, I remembered the camera hanging around my neck and got a couple of quick blurred shots of the Griz as it faded into the timber, still growling loudly and looking back. As soon as it was out of sight, I booked on down the trail. I made the mistake of rubbing my forehead with the back of my hand right after the encounter and smeared residue liberally into one eye. The pain was incredible, but considering what the alternative might have been, was quite bearable (pardon the pun...) When I got back to the Grant Village backcountry office, I filed a report with bear management and learned that what was evidently the same bear had mauled two hikers at the same location the morning before I had my encounter.  

Dave Landreth

Testimonials for 2005

"...Fourth of July Bear Charge..."

Michelle and I were talking and making noise on the trail when we heard a loud huffing sound from the wooded area to our right. Michelle said to me, "Matt, get out your bear spray." I was carrying the UDAP Bear Deterrent Spray in its holster on my hip and had previously test fired it, as per the recommendation in the instructions. The bear was a sow grizzly bear weighing approximately 500 pounds with a cub approximately 100 pounds. Both came charging out of the woods directly at us, with the female emitting deep guttural huffing sounds and appearing highly agitated. Both bears were less than 8 feet away when I sprayed them, hitting the female with an arc of the spray. There was an immediate, adverse reaction. Both bears veered off and up on the trail above our position, then into the trees on the opposite side of the trail away from us. 

CLICK FOR FULL STORY & PICTURES

My heartfelt thanks in developing such an exceptional and well-designed product. - Matt Magliaro

"This was no bluff. The bear was comin' on!"

Howdy, I'm a nature photographer living at Duck Lake, I was up on St. Mary ridge, outside the Park, when a larger bull elk, antlers still in the velvet, crossed the trail in front of me. I mounted the big lens and monopod and followed him into the wind seeking images and not making noise. Lost in the moment as it were...In less than a quarter mile I'm jolted back to reality by the jaw popping of a grizzly. Next timber is breaking and a dark blur appears. My camera gear is dropped, the can of UDAP retrieved from the right leg pocket of my Carhartt's, safety popped and trigger pressed. When I sprayed the dark grizzly was close enough to touch with my out-stretched boot. The bear is huffing, growling, retching and shaking its head. This goes on for about tens seconds and the bear spins and crashes off. It happened so fast and yet seemed to be in slow motion from my perspective...I've faced two other bluff charges before and they were just that...bluff. This was no bluff. The bear was comin' on! I was fine until the bear left and then the adrenalin took over and I began to shake. I was very "alive" for the rest of the day. Thanks for a product that potentially saved my life or at least a severe mauling...I have carried some form of peeper spray for the 12 years in and around the Park. I had occasion last year to use your competitors spray on a large black bear and found it didn't work very well. I then switched to UDAP. Had occasion to use it on an aggressive moose that put me behind a tree and came in striking with front feet. This moose was pretty serious...UDAP at about three feet does wonders on an aggressive moose! As to the grizzly encounter I was doing some things wrong, into the wind, no noise and seeing images of bull elk, lost in the moment. I never saw or heard cubs, don't know if the bear was on a carcass or if I just kicked him out of his day-bed...In any event, you have gained a loyal customer. I normally have two cans around. One for back up but on this day just the single can in my pocket. The heavy loaded S&W .44 was left back with the bike and in retrospect had that been my defensive weapon rather than the UDAP I think I would have been in bad shape. No doubt I would have gotten the revolver out and got one or two shots off but they would have had to have been very "lucky". The UDAP resulted in not having a dead or wounded bear and hopefully this bear has had a large dose of "aversion therapy". Thanks again! Good health and safe travels...

Ross Buckingham - Buckingham Wilderness Images

"...The bear reached under the SUV 

from various places in an attempt to reach the kids ..."

UDAP:
I visited Glacier Park earlier this year with my wife and child.  I was driving East on Going to the Sun Road, when I saw three young children hurriedly coming out of the woods towards an SUV parked in a pullout.  Behind the children, I saw a man with no shirt on waving his shirt in the air.  As I pulled the car over to see what was happening, I could see that the man was using his shirt to try and stop the forward approach of a black bear.  I pulled over.  The man tried to get the door open, but apparently could not do it quickly with the bear on his heels.  He helped his three kids get under the SUV, and continued to try and distract the bear with his shirt.  The bear reached under the SUV from various places in an attempt to reach the kids under the SUV.  I had two cans of #15 UDAP bear spray in the car, one for me and one for my wife that we take hiking.  I figured, that it may be necessary to distract the bear away from these kids. As I approached, after some yelling and with another car approaching the bear became distracted and moved away from the SUV, allowing the man and his kids to get into the safety of their automobile.  The bear decided to follow me as I went back to my car, and when it started running at me, I sprayed it with a short burst from 15-20 feet away.  The bear, apparently startled from the noise, sight and feel of the spray, jumped to the side and into the woods.  The windy conditions caused me to take some of the spray also (strong stuff indeed), but I prefer a bit of spray to a potential wrestle with the bear.  I have included  photos of the bear and do not mind if you post them on your website.  According to the National Park Services news release on this incident, this was a 185 pound black bear not known to have acted aggressively in the past.  He did not respond to aversive conditioning techniques and because of this unfortunate event it was determined that the bear would have to be killed, which he was the next day.  I cannot say for sure, but it is my feeling that this whole situation could have been avoided by regular bear-area precautions such as making noise, and if needed, the use of the bear spray when contact was first made with the bear.  This bear definitely did not want anything to do with the spray.  I enjoy seeing bears and feel that without them, the environment would be a much-less fulfilling place.  I appreciate that in many situations bear spray allows a bear attack or confrontation to end with both man and bear's survival. Thanks for a great product. - Chad Adams

"...he started to rock back and forth before finally charging."

My father, brother and I took a two week vacation out west. While hiking around the base of Jenny Lake in Wyoming we encountered an adolescent black bear.  When we first embarked on the short day hike, I was not anticipating seeing much wildlife due to how heavily traveled the trail was. In fact, I distinctly remember chiding my dad for toting along the bear spray on his hip belt. It seemed as if we were passing other hikers every fifteen minutes or so. As we walked around the base of the lake, the trail dog-legged sharply to the right. When we rounded the bend we were astonished to see a black bear not more than twenty-five yards away. He was contentedly grazing away in what I presume was some sort of berry bush. The bear spotted us instantly and squared up to us on the trail, I imagine merely seeking to protect his food source. After a short time he started to rock back and forth before finally charging. When he was no more than fifteen feet away he put the brakes on abruptly, then slowly started to rock back and forth again. By this time my father had pulled out his bottle of UDAP pepper spray. They bear charged forward again and my father sprayed him with a large blast of spray as soon as the bear took his first step. It seemed (at least to my fright-frozen mind) that the bear was in slow motion as he turned his head from side to side to avoid the spray. Slowly, he turned and climbed up the hill to our left before finally perching himself on a rocky outcropping almost above our heads. From our vantage point on the ground we could clearly see him trying to use his forearms to wipe the bear spray from his muzzle. Looking back, I think the bear merely wanted to bluff us into running away, but at any rate I'm glad we had your spray. It worked perfectly, and I can honestly say it was the best money we have ever spent. To think that I had poked fun at my dad for carrying your spray! Crow never tasted so sweet.

Sincerely,

Brett - Jackson , Mississippi

Testimonials from 2004

" I have used it effectively on bear, moose, elk, coyote, and one domesticated range bull..."

Gentleman, Wanted to thank you for such a fine product again and again. I am 3/4 way through my 3rd 9.2oz can of spray, and I have used it effectively on bear, moose, elk, coyote, and one domesticated range bull. No other pepper spray comes close for effectiveness, reliability and good insurance. I am a wilderness guide in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming and hike 5-7 miles daily from mid April thru September.

I will be returning to the Bighorns in northern Wyoming in mid April for good, as I lived there for 25 years and spent 10 seasons as a wilderness guide. I cover a lot of area an have many encounters with all the wild animals I love. 

I should state that I go out of my way to avoid any dangerous situation. I don't use the spray unless it is unavoidable. I always try to keep the wind at my back and take that into consideration every day except when I photograph big trophy animals. Here is a picture in the back ground is the Little Bighorn River Valley where 500 + elk are all summer and autumn.

Thanks again for a great alternative to using a firearm. Kind Regards,   - Douglas Z.

"The bears saw me at about the same time I saw them..."

While hiking in Grand Teton National Park near Bradley Lake , I suddenly came upon a black bear sow and two cubs.  This occurred at the top of a knoll.  The sow and cubs were partially hidden in some undergrowth.  The bears saw me at about the same time I saw them.  The cubs immediately ran away and down a slight hill.  The sow, which I would estimate at weighing about 300 lbs, growled and ran toward me.  She stopped about 10 feet away, lowered her head, and began swing it from side. 

   I was carrying trekking poles, and threw them down in front of her as a distraction.  I slowly backed away.  She stepped over the poles and followed me for several yards.  She continued to follow me for several more yards as I backed away (about 50 yards in all).  At this point, I brought out my container of UDAP and fired a short burst at her face.  This was from about 10 feet.  The sow shook her head and seemed distracted.  I immediately put more distance between us.  When I turned around, she was gone. 

    I am very glad I was carrying a container of UDAP that morning.  I believe it saved me from physical harm as well as several other hikers who were not carrying any protection.  I want you to know that your product worked very well.  Thanks again and be assured that I will always carry UDAP when I am hiking in bear country and will tell others to do the same.     

   Cordially,   Garry Lineback

"When I looked up, there was a sow grizzly charging hard..."

Thanks UDAP, you saved me!  I was mountain biking up Tepee Creek just north of Yellowstone Park when I had a run in with a sow and two cubs.  I was almost to the ridge between Tepee and Buffalo Horn, when I heard a repeating grunting sound.  When I looked up, there was a sow grizzly charging hard at about 25 yards with two yearling cubs at her heals.  I jumped off my bike, and went for my UDAP spray in my Camelback.  Thank god, she bluffed me once.  She came within one stride of me and started to loop around before I could even get my hands on my spray.  She made about a 30-foot loop, which gave me just enough time to get my spray and have it ready.  When she came back at me, I let her have it in the face at about 10 feet.  She stopped dead in her tracks, turned, and ran.  I am almost sure I wouldn't be writing this to you if it weren't for your spray.

Thanks again, you have a great product! -  Ben Macht

Testimonials from 2003

"...pressed on the bear spray can for 2 seconds..."

I went canoeing with some friends in the Adirondacks in New York.  It was a remote area, which was recently opened to the public.

At first, my friends thought I was ridiculous for bringing UDAP bear spray.  I told them we would definitely see some black bears and it turned out to be the truth.  One night, I went to the tent early and was awakened by one of my friends who yelled, we have a bear in our camp.  I thought it was a joke at first and this went on for a few minutes.

After a short period of time, the other friend started to yell, "Get out of here bear" and was banging a cooking pot with a stick. The bear had two cubs with her and was very aggressive. She was snarling and growling at us while we made noise. She charged us a couple of times coming within about 5ft of us. She was not about to let us get in her way.  I bolted out of my tent with a 260-gram can of UDAP bear spray and approached the bear.  She was a big female, approximately 325 pounds or so, and had climbed the tree, tore down our food bags and had one in her claws and jaws.

We got within 25 feet and just pressed on the bear spray can for 2 seconds.  The pepper spray shot out 30 feet, hit her in the face and she immediately took off running in the opposite direction.  Needless to say, the entire group, including some of our kids, all wished they had brought a can of bear spray. The bear had even left her cubs in a near by tree for three hours and when she did come back for them, she definitely stayed out of the perimeter of our camp, not wanting to be sprayed again. Once she got her cubs to come to her, we never saw her again.

We are headed to the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park this August and we all are carrying the large canister on our hip.  Thanks for the great product! 

Best regards,                   
Steve Tuzik

Click Here to see the Bear Spray setup Steve used!

UDAP bear spray showed me results…

Over the last 10 years, I have had the rare and unique opportunity to work up close and personal with some of the world’s most dangerous animals.  The jobs have ranged from being a wildlife rehabilitator to an animal trainer, where everyday required working with or near very unpredictable creatures.  I have worked with 100’s of bears, both wild and captive, and can honestly say that bears have charged me over 30 times.  Bear spray has become a necessity, a piece of equipment that I depend on for life and death situations. 

I have used several products; some working more effectively than others but UDAP bear spray showed me the results that gave me a peace of mind. Over the years, charge after charge, I have watched UDAP stop bears like a brick wall, saving my life several times.  When the spray is deployed the bear stops dead in their tracks wanting nothing more than to go the opposite direction as fast as it physically can. UDAP is the ultimate in safety for dealing with these unique and dangerous situations

When it comes to choosing a right hand man, the only product that I can say has worked with results I depend on 100% of the time is UDAP bear spray EPA Reg. No. 71920-1-72007.

CASEY ANDERSON
President, Montana Grizzly Encounter

Testimonials from 2002

Yellowstone Park Grizzly Attack

She was thirty feet away and in full charge as we came to the edge of the ridge. With a cub on both sides and another behind, the earth was flying as she closed the distance. I ran ten feet to my friend while I yelled "We've got a grizzly! She has cubs! Don't run! Hit the deck!” As I landed and grabbed my fanny pack around my neck, she grabbed my calf in her mouth and shook. I was fumbling for the pepper spray on my belt, wondering if I should be just staying still.  When she shook me, I yelled out. That brought my friend Nils up on to his knees, which distracted the bear off of me. She ran ten feet to check on her cubs, then turned and charged Nils. He now had his UDAP Pepper PowerTM Pepper Spray out and ready. He fell back to his stomach and waited until the head-on charge closed to five feet. Propped up on his elbows he let her have it right in the face. GONE, DONE, NEVER SEEN AGAIN! The spray stopped the charging female grizzly on a dime and sent her away for good. Nils called out to me, "I got her Tom, and I got her good!"

CLICK FOR FULL STORY & PICTURES

Nils and I want to thank Mark and UDAP for saving both our lives.  My family and Nils’ wife and daughters think you are pretty cool too. Thank you for producing a quality product. Thank you also for contacting me in the hospital to lend moral support. It meant a lot to me.    

                                                                           
                   Thanks again,
                   Tom Crosson, Nils Wygant                  

"I trusted my life with UDAP Pepper PowerTM and it saved us!"

                                                Thanks - Dave Wood

            "If not for the help of a friend and your UDAP Pepper Power® I probably wouldn’t be here today."

            The sun had just set over the tall peaks of the Madison range when a large sow Grizzly and her two almost fully grown cubs came running for what they thought was dinner. Dave Wood, my long time hunting partner and I, had been archery hunting all day without much success. We were watching the sunset and proceeded to violate one of our “Golden Rules” in that we did some elk calling when we weren’t totally ready to hunt.

            The bears where ready to hunt and did so with a ferocity and speed that is almost incomprehensible. At first we just heard the noise of something running at us at about forty miles an hour and only saw the three of them in the last twenty yards of their charge as they broke into the small opening we were in. I had jumped to my feet and was facing them thinking they were a charging bull elk. I was crouched pulling an arrow from the bow quiver when I realized we were in trouble. Before I could draw my gun the sow had taken her first bite of my left leg and broken my fibula. In less than six seconds she proceeded to bite my leg, my thigh, my arm and ultimately my head. With the first bite, I made a decision to fight her rather than play dead and kept trying to get my gun out of its holster. I had also called out to Dave to help me. He had actually been closer to the bears when they appeared but was already lying on the ground and they went right over the top of him to get to me. Finally as the sow was biting my head Dave jumped up armed with UDAP, he charged the mother Grizzly who was now facing him. She took the full force of the spray from less than ten yards whirling so fast that at first Dave wasn’t sure he hit her. The effect of the spray was fast and effective as she and the cubs left and didn’t return.

             If not for the unselfish and quick response from Dave and the supreme effectiveness of UDAP, my encounter with that bear may have been my last act.  Dave and I have hunted elk in Grizzly country for many years together and we have had other less close encounters with them. In addition to coming across other hunters in the woods who have been attacked we have had several encounters when the bears have told us in no uncertain terms to leave their area. We always try to be prepared and have carried side arms in addition to UDAP  since its inception. However, until this encounter, I think we both thought our first line of defense would be a gun. Now, we both feel that we wouldn’t be out in the woods without UDAP Pepper PowerTM and as for me it will be in a chest harness with UDAP's unique shoot from the holster design.

            Thanks for making a product that really works and saves lives both human and animal.

                                                                                                                Sincerely,    Steven Chamberlain M.D.

Testimonials from 2001

"Bad bear; go home!"

Dear Mark,

As a recent survivor of a close encounter with a brown bear, I believe I owe you a testimonial.

During the first day of silver salmon fishing in Yakitat, Alaska, our party heard several stories about a "large" brown bear chasing fisherman. Sadly, after being chased, one unfortunate fisherman made it back to his van, only to die of a heart attack.

The next day was our turn. The bear came out on a bar on the Situk River, but ten or so fisherman, several in a boat, dissuaded him from frightening them out of their fish. So, the bear waded up the river to where our party of four vacated only minutes before. Smelling the fish we carried, the bear climbed the bank and loped up the wet and narrow trail we had taken for 100 yards or so through the thick brush. As the only (black) bear hunter in the group, I had little fear of "wild" bears, but great fear of "friendly" bears. Therefore, I carried the only can of UDAP Pepper PowerTM Bear Deterrent available at our Lodge.  

Just before we came to an opening on the trail, the bear closed in on the last man in our party. At that point, I took a position behind my friend, let the bear come to about 15 feet, and while asserting "Bad bear; go home!” hit the trigger. To our great relief, the Bear turned "inside out" reversing course and disappearing into the brush. At that point, we beat a hasty retreat back to our van.

Count on us as Life-long converts to UDAP Pepper PowerTM products.  

Sheldon Smith & Friends

Appreciatively, Sheldon Smith

"...superior to a firearm in several ways..."

I had the opportunity to use your product (225g canister) against an aggressive black bear in Yosemite last summer.  Though it is impossible to know what would have happened without your  UDAP Pepper PowerTM bear spray, I believe that having it on hand saved my life.  Here's what happened:

I awoke to the sound of breaking branches and claws on tree bark on our first night of a John Muir Trail through-hike.  I woke my friend and we ran over to our counter-balanced food bags and, sure enough, there was a medium-sized, 200 lb. bear sitting on the tree limb pulling up our food bags using the hanging rope.  Yosemite bears are notoriously clever!  We tried everything we could to scare the bear out of the tree including shining our flashlights, throwing rocks and yelling at the top of our lungs. 

Getting frustrated and losing our food fast - this bear actually bit through and ate a can of chili - I instead hit the food bags with a rock, knocking them out of the tree.  Bad idea!  (You know what they say about getting between a bear and its food!)

The bear hissed and ran down the tree, charging at us the moment he hit the ground.  When I pressed the canister trigger, a large cloud of  UDAP Pepper PowerTM bear spray washed over the snout of the charging bear at about 6-8 feet.  He was turned back instantly, regrouped by the tree and charged again.  I sprayed him again, this time at maybe 15-20 feet and stopped him once again.  The bear left the area at which point we collected our food and returned to camp.

Again, thanks for your product.  I think it is superior to a firearm in several ways.  First, it works!  Pepper spray is noxious enough to thwart large bears.  Second, it is difficult to miss your target.  Third, it is very lightweight compared to a gun.  Fourth, no permanent harm is done to the bear.  In fact, some fear of humans may be restored to aggressive bears.  I think in areas like Yosemite, which do not allow hunting, and have tremendous problems with human-food habituated bears; the rangers should consider requiring all hikers to carry pepper spray.

Thanks again,

Scott Yang

Testimonials During and prior to 2000

"...but luckily for us he stepped up and sprayed..."

Kodiak Island Adventure

She got within 15-20 feet and stopped briefly to snarl, snort and bounce upon an alder that was separating her from us. At this point I attempted to light my flare as a last defense. It was a dud, maybe I was just too nervous and fidgety, but I'd like to think it was the latter. There was no time to reach for another so I stood poised with my machete. The only thoughts going through my head were "I wonder what this is going to feel like." At this point fear wasn't even an option, the adrenaline had induced a slow motion type of analysis and curiosity. The sow bounced on the alder a few times and made her final charge toward us. I had completely forgotten about Todd, and his bear spray, but luckily for us he stepped up and sprayed...  CLICK FOR FULL STORY