Not just for Marias to Flathead Tunnel either. Better carry it in north Idaho too. Been a LOT of bear encounters here in the westernmost Rocky Mountain state this year, some making national headlines. And not just in summer. Coming out of hibernation in spring, chowing down for hibernation in the fall, makes 'em pretty ornery as well. But huckleberry season in summer is certainly known for its bear vs. human encounters around the berry bushes.

First-timers should view some on-line bear spray how-to video. One of the most common misconceptions about these products (other than the fact that you DO NOT spray it on yourself like insect repellent!) is that some folks think you should wait until the bear is close enough to be able to spray him/her directly in the face. As your last result, sure, go for it. But in general the bear is already too close if you wait until that point. The experts advise you to spray a short to moderate burst in a fanning pattern to create a cloud of repellent near ground level, directly ahead of the approaching bear. In many cases, the sound and action of the spray alone will deter the bear. If not, the bear will walk right into the cloud of nasty stuff you have thrown up in his path and get a noseful. If that fails, then it's obviously time for the full-frontal facial shot.

Like d said, practice in an open field to become familiar with the range of your canister, and to see how long it will hang in the air. Wind can be a factor. A couple of short practice bursts from a properly-manufactured bear spray will not lead to slow degradation of pressure over time. I have two cans that are close to 20 years old which still spray as strongly as my newer ones. However, I would question whether the potency of the repellent itself holds up over that much time.