Citation

Neufeld A, Lange AP, Holland S. Can. J. Ophthalmol. 2012; 47(1): 83-84.

Affiliation

Department of Ophthalmology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Canadian Ophthalmological Society)

DOI

10.1016/j.jcjo.2011.12.019

PMID

22333860

Abstract

"Bear banger" is a term used to describe an exploding projectile wildlife deterrent, due to the fact that while they have a broad application, they are used against bears more than anything else. The projectile part of such deterrents are fired from a variety of launching devices. The most readily-available noise-making deterrent is the 'pen'-type bear banger launcher. As the name suggests, this launcher looks like a pen, and even has a convenient clip allowing it to be attached to a pocket, or pack sternum or shoulder strap. The body of the "pen" contains a spring and a firing-pin attached to a sliding trigger mechanism. With the trigger pulled back and slipped into the safety lock position, a "banger" cartridge can be screwed into the threaded end of the "pen". The unit is then carried in this way until it is either discharged or unloaded. The unit is fired by thumbing the "trigger" slider out of the safety lock position to the end of the opening it protrudes from, and then releasing it. The firing-pin strikes a .22 calibre blank round in the base of the cartridge, which propels the "banger" roughly 30 metres (35 yards), at which point it explodes.

The bangers compare in loudness to the report of a shell fired from a 12-gauge shotgun, and they should not be underestimated because of the appearance of the firing unit. They are potentially very dangerous, and have the capacity to damage hearing and to cause burns if used improperly.

Language: en