Charles ad I (Nancy) feel very fortunate to have met you at the 2003 Las Vegas shot show and thereby be introduced to your fine bear deterrent product, pepper power. We live in zephyr cove, Nevada at 6300 feet elevation – overlooking Lake Tahoe. Black bear are very prevalent around here through spring, summer, and fall… especially on the night before garbage pick up! (Do they have calendars??!)
We’ve learned never go outside without our handy key chain pocket-sized UDAP spray or the pen spray. We actually mounted Velcro strips buy each door to the outside to “stick” one of our larger UDAP cans there for easy access.
In bear county like this, we never go around the corner of the house without making very audible, very human noises – whistling singing 
This summer, we’ve had to deal with an 
In the Lake Tahoe area, bears who are in identified as a nuisance have there ear tagged. If a bear tagged is caught as being a nuisance again. It is typically “put down.” No one around here wants that. We actually like seeing our beautiful black bears… but only at a respectable distance! And leave our garbage alone, thank you!!!
Its pretty well agreed that once a bear finds easy and tasty food somewhere… he remembers and returns regularly – even year-to-year. W
To describe our bear spray incident, I must first explain that we have screen doors that retract into the door frame when pulled from their magnetic closure system. Unbeknownst to us, some bears have evidently learned that a well placed nose nudge on such screen doors will activate the screen’s retract mechanism, thereby opening their way into our home!!
To describe our bear spray incident, I must first explain that we have screen doors that retract into the door frame when pulled from their magnetic closure system. Unbeknownst to us, some bears have evidently learned that a well placed nose nudge on such screen doors will activate the screen’s retract mechanism, thereby opening their way into our home!!
Since Charles came across the mess first, he called to me (just coming in the door) to ask if I’d “left” these things this way! (Thinking back on that question now seems very funny… Oh yeah! I love licking frosting out of cans on the floor!!)
Checking out the screen door, we now saw huge chocolate footprints (we kid you not!!! See picture) on the kitchen floor that proceeded up the stairs to the bathroom, then in to our bedroom!! At this point, we looked at eac
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.
We have had no repeat performances; Mr. Bear hasn’t been back… and it’s been about 6 weeks now. For awhile, we thought he’d been “taking care of” by the authorities for other encroachments. But just this week, we spoke with several neighbors about 2 blocks up the street and they’ve seen our blonde chocoholic bear numerous times. We figure he just doesn’t like us and our orange stuff anymore!!! We figure we have you to thank for that!
By our reckoning, you have saved Mr. Bear’s life and Charles’ life. We’re happy for both.
So thank you! We’re eternally thankful and will remain continual braggers and promoters of your great UDAP pepper power®!!
Nancy & Charles