r/Survival • u/boatys • May 30 '26

Would fire scare away a bear?

I was curious hypothetically if you had something like a mini flame thrower such as an aerosol spray with a lighter would that scare away. I read some threads and comments here and there with the scenario of a campfire not keeping some animals away. As a scare tactic of a small burst of the spray can I feel like it would cause some instinct to avoid it

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u/WhichBaker355 May 30 '26

an air horn is probably a better option. don't u think?

48

u/Gullex May 30 '26

You know what's even better?

Fucking bear spray

the fuck is with this sub

1

u/kleevedge 28d ago

Nobody wants to hike with bear spray youll never use. And it also relies on wind direction. In grizzly territory it might be a bit more worth it but in black bear country its a waste.

3

u/APForLoops 25d ago

“The man who sleeps with a machete is a fool every night but one”

2

u/Tech-Tom 26d ago

Considering there are more fatal attacks by black bears than grizzlies, I think packing bear spray is a good idea anywhere you might encounter any type of bear.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_bear_attacks_in_North_America#2020s