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Pepper Spray in NJ

J

Jersey Devil

New member
I fish the Del. Water Gap alone. Can I carry 9 oz. or even 13.5 oz.cans of pepper spray legally in NJ? Or should I not be afraid of bear encounters alone? I know of a guide that says he wouldn't go to the DWG without his gun...(ex cop) I know of a gentleman that carries pepper spray EVERYWHERE he fishes. Yet I read online that in NJ only 3/4 oz. sprays are allowed??
 
I don't know the Jersey law on this, but I don't bother with spray or guns and I live in bear country. Worst I've had is one or two that didn't want to alter their path as they approached me and I had to get loud with them and wave my arms up over my head. They typically run when they see or smell you, but here in NJ they are definitely more confident around humans, so just make some loud, but non-panicked conservation and stand tall and they will always steer clear. Nobody gets attacked that is just out fishing.

Grizzlies are another story....
 


This should help.


I still haven't collected enough material yet, but
come the spring I will be good and ready this year.
AKSkim said:
Lately I been getting kinda freeked about all the bear attacks.

So I have been staying away from known bear streams.

A real good friend has told me about using natural bear repellent.

He said it was simple to apply and wouldn't bother me in the least.

Just apply some on the brim of your ball cap, on each of my gravel guards, and if you don't wear gravel guards then just above your ankles on your waders.

It will not damage material of your hat, or waders either, like I said all natural.

Down side when you first enter the river it will sheen slighly, but will disapate in a short time and not harm the trout or the river.

He also suggested I wear my LL Bean fishing back pack and leave the open jar explosed to the air while walking in thickly covered woods, where potential bears maybe resting.

The only thing is I have been having a little difficulty gathering the material.

Doctors orders that there are certain things I shouldn't eat. So if any of my fellow <ACRONYM title="North Eastern Fly Fishing"><ACRONYM title="North Eastern Fly Fishing"><ACRONYM title="North Eastern Fly Fishing"><ACRONYM title="North Eastern Fly Fishing">NEFF</ACRONYM></ACRONYM></ACRONYM></ACRONYM> member's have bacon or sausages could you please save the grease for me?

Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
 
Pepper/OC spray comes in different strengths, make sure you figure out which strength you can and can't can't carry legally in NJ. In NY, a civilian and only carry spay with something like .07 pepper content, which is pretty low.
 
Statistically:
For each person killed by a black bear attack there are 13 people killed by snakes, 17 by spiders, 45 by dogs, 120 by bees, 150 by tornadoes, 374 by lightning, and 60,000 by humans
 
LyNcH said:
Pepper/OC spray comes in different strengths, make sure you figure out which strength you can and can't can't carry legally in NJ. In NY, a civilian and only carry spay with something like .07 pepper content, which is pretty low.
Click to expand...

Well you have to be sporting and give the criminals a fighting chance.
As far as the obeying the idiots that make up these laws regarding personal protection i will quote a friend of mine who always says "better to be judged by 12 then carried by 6"
 
WBDluver said:
Well you have to be sporting and give the criminals a fighting chance.
As far as the obeying the idiots that make up these laws regarding personal protection i will quote a friend of mine who always says "better to be judged by 12 then carried by 6"
Click to expand...

That is just a great line:)
 
Well, I guess that from the responses, regardless if it's legal or not, I probably don't need it. A quick story... went on a fly in trip in Que, Province some years ago, they drop you at a lake, fly away and come back a week later if your still alive. Fished one remote lake that had to be hiked into, caught lots of Northerns and walked back with two of em in hand to cook for dinner. Talked our asses off on the way back. When we got brought back to base at end of week, told the owner who was SHOCKED that we didn't run into any bears in that area, especially being springtime. Moral of the story, I guess having a big mouth sometimes pays off. Thanks for all the feedback... tight lines all.
 
tomfly said:
Statistically:
For each person killed by a black bear attack there are 13 people killed by snakes, 17 by spiders, 45 by dogs, 120 by bees, 150 by tornadoes, 374 by lightning, and 60,000 by humans
Click to expand...


Thanks for looking that up.

However....

If you are that 1 person... do the other numbers mean anything?
 
tomfly said:
Ak I did this post for you. I knew you were going to go there.
Click to expand...

I don't go anywhere there are live killer bears housed.

I was on the Musky yesterday and the first thing I ALWAYS DO check the muddy bank for bear tracks.

Once I check a section out, then I will look up and check the trees, they parlay up there, I see none, then and only then that I look at the water.

I know they can't swim, so I always have an excape route drifting down river away them them.

That is why when you spot them, make lots of noises while running for the river, they hate water.
 
AKSkim said:
I don't go anywhere there are live killer bears housed.

I was on the Musky yesterday and the first thing I ALWAYS DO check the muddy bank for bear tracks.

Once I check a section out, then I will look up and check the trees, they parlay up there, I see none, then and only then that I look at the water.

I know they can't swim, so I always have an excape route drifting down river away them them.

That is why when you spot them, make lots of noises while running for the river, they hate water.
Click to expand...

A well thought out safety plan. If I were fishing in areas that house the potential black bear in NY, you can be assured I would be carrying a .40 or .45 on me.
 
during the winters when I was in montana I worked at enterprise rent a car and since you cant bring bear spray on the plane home with you they would sometimes hand em over to us so I have about 15 cans of bear spray. I have seen a few bears on the musky and many in NY so in the spring and fall when the bears are most aggressive Ill carry a can

Jersey Devil said:
I fish the Del. Water Gap alone. Can I carry 9 oz. or even 13.5 oz.cans of pepper spray legally in NJ? Or should I not be afraid of bear encounters alone? I know of a guide that says he wouldn't go to the DWG without his gun...(ex cop) I know of a gentleman that carries pepper spray EVERYWHERE he fishes. Yet I read online that in NJ only 3/4 oz. sprays are allowed??
Click to expand...
 
Trout Fever said:
bears cant swim? are you sure about that!!!
Click to expand...

I know more about bears, their culture, their unhuman behaviour, their poor memories, and dietary habits than most.

Do you know bears can't run down hill.

Bet you didn't know that either.
 
Hey AK, I've heard beats are starting to disguise themselves lime Paul's from the Jersey shore. Just when you think your safe they walk up to you and ask "hey do you have some power bait?". Then Bam they attack. You can't trust bears.
 
Simply carry a paintball gun loaded with green paint balls. When a black bear is encountered shoot him in the ass with a paintball. He will then become a black bear green butt and pose no threat to humans.
 
Joe D said:
Simply carry a paintball gun loaded with green paint balls. When a black bear is encountered shoot him in the ass with a paintball. He will then become a black bear green butt and pose no threat to humans.
Click to expand...

Thanks Joe D will do.
 
Pussy. :) I myself carry a .454 when fishing the Pequest...Not for bears, but for FREDY.


LyNcH said:
A well thought out safety plan. If I were fishing in areas that house the potential black bear in NY, you can be assured I would be carrying a .40 or .45 on me.
Click to expand...
 
AKSkim said:
I know more about bears, their culture, their unhuman behaviour, their poor memories, and dietary habits than most.

Do you know bears can't run down hill.

Bet you didn't know that either.
Click to expand...

Not sure if its a species thing, but the bears around monksville reservoir definitely swim.
 
I've been hunting the DWG area for 34 years now and have had many an encounter with bears. Some closer then others and all but one ran away full bore. the one that didn't never got aggressive and just kept coming my way. I gave him my spot and I took his. A few springs ago durign a4 day I hunt I saw 19 bears and never a problem, all though two of them came busting out of the brush and ran within feet of the tree my buddy was sitting against. I thought for sure I would have to shoot him, my buddy and not the bear. Very close and scary encounter but they never knew we were there.

I carried bear spray for years in the beginning and many times I forget to carry it now. Never used it but it is very effective from everything I read. If you see a bear, take his picture first before scaring him away that way there is proof as to what happened to you. :thumb:

My avatar picture is of a NJ black bear that we watched walk right down the stone wall to about 20 yards from us before we yelled at him. He was running for weeks after that.
 
WBDluver said:
think again

black bears swimming in Canada - YouTube
Click to expand...


The youtube with the "swimming bear" those people are wrong in their identification.

If you just look at the head and ears you will notice that it isn't of a black or brown bear.

I will see if I can find that article about rogue African Dogs that were let out into the wild 20 years ago in Canada and can grow to be 120 lbs or so, and I am sure that video was of a couple of them.

If those were bears they would have climbed the first tree they saw, but you will notice they ran off into the woods as would a dog do.

But I do appreciate you looking that up for me WBDL.
 
You all need to stop, the people from out West already have enough reasons to laugh at us. Black bears. Pull your tampons out and drink a big glass of man the fuck up.
 
Trout Nazi said:
.. reasons to laugh at us. Black bears.
Click to expand...

TN, this is NO LAUGHING MATTER what-so-ever.

I take the dangers of wild killer bears seriously and so should you.

All's it takes is one encounter and you could be done.

When you are standing in a stream, you are much safer out towards the center of it.

A bear creeping up behind you won't go into the river past its knees, large bears will stop even sooner if the water touched the underside of their belly.

So you can't just concentrate on your fishing when in bear country.

Be safe my friend.
 
Here is the best info available on black and brown bears...read it all your life may depend on it.
grizzly_bear_warning_sign-500x373.jpg
 
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