With less than a few short months before bears enter their dens for winter hibernation, they go into a feeding frenzy, a period known, as hyperfagia. Fall in Greater Yellowstone also marks the beginning of hunting season for species such as elk, deer, pronghorn, and grouse. Rifle and bow hunters come from around the United States, drawn to the hunting opportunities in the Greater Yellowstone. Conflicts are most prevalent between hunters and bears during the fall. In 1997, of the twelve bears killed in Greater Yellowstone, nine grizzly bears were killed by firearms in conflicts with hunters.
Pepper spray is a proven alternative defense to bullets.
None of the hunters involved in these encounters last year were carrying pepper spray. Pepper Spray is derived from ground hot cayenne peppers. The active, inflammatory ingredient is Oleoresin Capsicum. Most pepper sprays today generally contain 10 percent Oleoresin Capsicum. The larger the canister of pepper spray, the further a one-second blast will spray.