Some hikers report that camphor and/or moth balls can have a deterring effect.  Haven't tried this one yet, but then I don't usually have bear problems.

MT

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of John Rodgers
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 1:13 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Westy Configurations and Bear-proofing

A guide out of Yakutat, Alaska some years ago (before pepperspray) developed a serious bear repellent. After a marauding bear broke up his steelhead fishing camp one time to many, and scared the bejeebers out of his clients, he wrapped bacon strips around a can of starter ether, tied the bacon on really good with string and meat baking mesh, and put the can in a plastic bag. When the bear came, the guide ripped the bag, tossed the can the bears direction and ran. The bear found the bacon needless to say, and succeeded in biting the can- getting a  snootful of very cold stinking ether. Bear went berserk but never came back.

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com