Jackson airport seeks bear spray vendor

Summer tourists flying into Jackson Hole Airport may soon be able to rent cans of bear spray at the airport before heading out to Yellowstone National Park or other places where grizzly bears roam.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports airport officials have issued a solicitation for businesses that would be able to maintain some type of bear spray rental vending machine or kiosk in the terminal building.

Jackson Airport Director Jim Elwood says a goal of providing the service would be to cut down on the 300 to 400 bear spray canisters that are confiscated from air travelers passing through security checkpoints during a typical summer season.

At least one other airport in the Yellowstone region, Montana’s Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, offers a similar service.