Who Carries Bear Spray? Reducing Risk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Through Leave No Trace Communication

Abstract

As bear populations increase in areas like the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), human-bear interactions are rising, with grizzly bear encounters more than doubling in the past decade. To reduce conflicts, land management agencies promote Leave No Trace (LNT) behaviors, emphasizing bear awareness, proper food storage, maintaining distance from wildlife, and carrying bear spray. However, a survey of 566 visitors across the GYE found that 27% of respondents report never carrying bear spray. Non-carriers were often first-time visitors, traveling in larger groups, or day-use visitors to front-country areas. They also viewed the message to carry bear spray as less important than those who carry bear spray. Providing affordable bear spray at trailheads and targeted messaging may help increase carry rates. These findings highlight the importance of emphasizing LNT’s “Plan Ahead and Prepare” principle in combination with “Respect Wildlife,” guiding wildlife management strategies to reduce human-bear conflicts.