SABRE Frontiersman Bear Horn

Definitely NOT something I would depend on for my safety. I bought this spray NOT for bears......but to prevent two of my herding dogs from getting into heated disagreements with each other. Well, I NEVER thought that I’d ACTUALLY HAVE to use it for its intended purpose and what a DISAPPOINTING/POINTLESS/POOR outcome that was! I live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada’s and bear sightings are relatively uncommon. I’ve spotted them probably only 10 times since 1976 (one fairly good size old boar and a handful of yearlings to young adults). There have been occasional clues around my property (34 acres) that bears are have been coexisting here with me without incident (scat, torn up apple tree, etc) UNTIL now. My dogs have been going ‘crazy’ at night and early mornings for the past week. I didn’t think too much of it and thought it was probably a family of raccoons or skunks. Boy, was I wrong! I went outside early yesterday to find stuff strewn around everywhere and that’s when I spotted the scat. Still, I wasn’t too concerned about it and it was then that I remembered that I had purchased the ‘bear horn’ as a tool for ‘nipping in the bud’ my two dogs squabbles. Relief.....NOT AT ALL.......quite the OPPOSITE! Tonight, all hell broke loose and the bear was back at sunset. The chaos (dogs) that ensued was ridiculous. I went out with the so called bear horn and blasted away (short bursts as directed). Not only did it NOT deter MY DOGS in any way, it actually seemed to agitate the bear even more! It just stared at me (30 ft away). No retreating whatsoever! It seemed UNAFFECTED by the horn. At this point I decided I was better off going inside and take a ‘wait and see what happens next’ approach. By this time the bear was actually coming into my yard undaunted by the bear horn (opened window and blasted some more). At this time one of my dogs became quite aggressive and the bear reluctantly decided to leave. NO DOUBT he’ll be back again and I won’t even bother with this useless and ‘false sense of at least a little security’ item. No kidding, he truly just stared at me and ‘advanced’ undeterred by the horn. I have other reliable means of protection if warranted and it becomes necessary. I’ll be calling Fish & Game in the morning about this bold bear. Use product with CAUTION. * The situation has become more precarious because the bear has returned several times. He’ll come within 15-25 feet of my porch. DO NOT count on the ‘Bear Horn’ to minimize the risk. Ridiculous.