Self defense while camping?

[striker]

No I don't mean against somebody trying to steal your wallet, I mean against wild animals. So what do you use?
I myself always have a bear spray with me, but there aren't really any bears around here luckily.

[ChadTower]

Good practices, a pointy stick, and some serious yelling.

If that doesn't work, leg it.

[dinosaur]

When I go to "civilized" camping areas they generally do not allow firearms. So I carry a bow, I went with a buddy of mine and his wife to a camp where this was the rule. I had my bow. I scouted the area and although there was a great deal of garbage dumped into canisters throughout the camp area, the only wild animals evident were coons and coyotes. I knew they'd come in during the night. They did. One almost got into my buddy's tent (a coon). His wife screamed and I almost shot the little bugger. But it just wanted some food and a little lovin'. I let it go. We laughed about it in the morning. Well, my buddy and I did. His wife was still a bit bothered by it. She didn't think it was funny.

[Starling]

Originally Posted by striker

No I don't mean against somebody trying to steal your wallet, I mean against wild animals. So what do you use?
I myself always have a bear spray with me, but there aren't really any bears around here luckily.

What is bear spray? Is it just like animal repellent, only 10x worse? I've heard that bears normally don't want to interact with humans in the first place, and will head away from the campsite if you just bang some pots and pans.

[IndianaHiker]

I have never had the need to carry anything. I backpack and I normally cowboy camp (just sleeping on the ground without tent). Best self defense is use some common sense.

1. Keep all things that are smellable in a smell proof container
2. Don't cook close to where you sleep
3. Bring a set of clothing just for sleeping
4. Keep your area clean
5. Use a system of hanging food to keep bears and rodents out.

I have never had a problems and yes I have backpacked and camped in bear county. Here is some other things to keep in mind as well.
Tips for Safely Camping in Bear Country

If I can be of any help let me know. Being a backpacker I don't every carry the additional weight of a weapon and have never had the need.

[ChadTower]

Originally Posted by Starling

What is bear spray?

Pepper spray for something bigger that you want to be further away from.

Wild bears don't want to interact with humans. Bears that have become accustomed to people food will climb on top of your car with you in it. People food is easier, tastes better, and doesn't run away.

[CozInCowtown]

Not many large preditors in my area.
Coyote would be the largest except for possibly the extreemly rare mountain lion.
Generally nothing except for a revolver or .22LR in the truck.
Colorado elk hunting we keep a 12ga. in camp loaded with buckshot and plenty of high power rifles though no loaded forearms are allowed in camp.
To carry a .38 Special while camping or hikeing is not a bad idea though IMO.
Coz

[mccallum]

9mm hiden in the tent; works for four legged and two legged!!

[outdoorlover001]

big gun and bigger dog

[Dougdad]

IH has the right idea. I have camped in bear and wolf country alot and never had to much trouble. To be honest, 1 time in 40+ years, I left a dirty frypan with hamberger grease in it sit out in the open. I had 2 rather lager black friends visit during the night, within 10 feet of where I was laying. All I had for protecton was a stright knife. The crooks chose to carry my pan off a hundred yards or so before cleaning it up for me, then came back and nosed around till I shined a light in my face and yelled at them. They ran off and didn't come back. I have had lots of coons and oposums in my camps over the years who were actually quite polite and would simply leave if you didnt feed them.