If you are a camper or a hiker, you will no doubt run into some wildlife. The forest is their natural home, after all. Most of them are small and likely harmless, if not a little mischievous.
However, there is a chance that you might encounter one of the bigger and badder animals in the animal kingdom. This article will give you some tips on what to do when you encounter one during your nature walk. You do not want your camping trip to end permanently, after all…
General Rules
These are catch-all rules that apply for almost all animals that you might meet.
DO make a lot of noise while hiking. Talking, laughing, singing, clapping, anything loud to discourage nearby animals from approaching.
DO watch for signs of any animals nearby. Always scan your area for tracks, droppings, or scratches on trees.
DO leave your pet/s at home. Your lovely companion is unpredictable in the wild and may attract larger predators.
DO travel in groups. Wild animals (even more so predators) are less likely to attack a group of more than one person.
DO carry self-defense weapons, like bear spray, firearms, and knives, if possible. Being armed at all times will give you a better fighting chance when attacked.
DO NOT approach any wild animal, or even try to feed them. Being too close to them will give you considerably less time to react if they perceive you as a threat and attack!
DO NOT approach the young of any wild animal (bear cubs, wolf pups). Their mother is likely not far away and will ferociously rip you apart to defend their young once they come back.
DO NOT approach the carcass of an animal. It is highly likely that a predator killed it but wandered off. If it comes back, it may perceive you as a threat to its food and attack.
DO NOT hike at night. This is the hunting time of some nocturnal predators, and they will stalk you before attacking. Having limited vision as well makes things even more difficult.
DO NOT leave your food or drinks out in the open, as it will attract predators looking for an easy meal, especially consumables with a distinct scent.
Bears
Lumbering furry giants with muscles for arms that can easily tear a person’s head off, bears are an uncommon but nonetheless dangerous encounter for any adventurer. They are also the ones most likely to raid your campsite while looking for an easy meal, as many have associated the presence of humans with free food. Here are three common bear types that adventurers usually encounter:
a. Black Bear
Shy and more tolerant of humans than most, black bears tend to run away at the first sign of trouble, but do not underestimate them.
DO wave your arms around above your head to appear like a larger animal to hopefully discourage them.
DO make as much loud noise as possible, bang pots and pans together or whatever you have on hand.
DO NOT corner the bear. As it is likely to flee, leave an open exit for it to escape, otherwise it might attack to get away.
DO NOT run away. It will trigger an attack response and the bear will chase you. Black bears can run faster than 60 kilometers an hour and will easily outrun you.
DO NOT climb or leave food on trees. Black bears are exceptional climbers and can scale many trees to get what they want easily.
b. Grizzly Bear
Unlike black bears, grizzly bears are more aggressive and likely to stand their ground rather than run away.
DO back away slowly with a calm voice, as to not aggravate the grizzly bear.
DO fight for your life when attacked. Use whatever items as weapons, while punching and kicking.
DO play dead if you are attacked, but ONLY if you are being attacked by a mother defending her cubs.
DO NOT play dead if a predatory bear attacks you, it will not let up in attacking if it considers you its next meal
DO NOT turn your back or run away, as this might cause the grizzly bear to attack.
DO NOT make eye contact, as the grizzly bear will take it as an act of aggression.
c. Polar Bear
You are unlikely to encounter a polar bear unless hiking in the arctic. They are the most dangerous of the three bears and will unlikely stop once they start attacking.
DO make a lot of noise to discourage the bear.
DO drop clothes off bit by bit while running away from a polar bear. Polar bears will stop to sniff every bit of clothing you drop, buying you some precious seconds as you run.
Wolves
The ancestors of man’s best friend. Wolves tend to hunt in packs and have their own social hierarchy. While most of them have evolved to stay away from humans, there are still occasions where a pack or two might decide to target humans.
This means that if you find one alone, the rest of its group is likely not too far away.
DO yell at the wolf to make it back away.
DO make yourself look more larger and intimidating. That means throwing stones or raising your shirt if you can.
DO back away slowly, if possible, with your back against the wall. Make no sudden movements, as this might cause the wolf and the rest of its pack to attack.
DO NOT make yourself appear scared or vulnerable. Most wolves do not feel confident in attacking humans and dropping hints that you are scared may make it more confident to attack.
DO NOT allow yourself to be toppled or lose your footing, this is the worst possible position you can be in for a wolf attack, and when the rest of the pack comes out, they will tear you to shreds.
Cougars
Cougars (also known as mountain lions) are elusive and reclusive animals. They prefer to stay out of sight from people most of the time and place their habitats in hidden places like caves high above ground. But in times of desperation or occasion, they might attack.
Their way of attacking involves stalking their prey, before pouncing on them, ending their life with a swift and decisive bite to the neck.
DO maintain constant eye contact.
DO make yourself look bigger by waving your hands or using your clothes.
DO yell to discourage the cougar.
DO fight back, cougars rarely ever target humans as they are not its usual prey. If they do, it is because they are weak and desperate for food.
DO NOT turn your back from a cougar, it will see it as an opportunity to pounce on you.
DO NOT run away, a cougar will easily outrun you.
Snakes
Slithering on the ground with body colored like the grass, snakes are smaller than most predators, but this makes them stealthier, making them extremely dangerous.
DO wear boots and long pants for protection against potential snake bites.
DO stay on the trail. Tall grass and weeds are perfect hiding spots for a snake.
DO check around stones, branches, and logs before picking them up or approaching them. A snake might be hidden inside.
DO NOT approach snakes, even when they are seemingly dead. They may actually instead be poised and ready to strike.
DO NOT pick up wild snakes, even if you are confident that they are not poisonous. Many venomous snakes appear similar to nonvenomous ones and may cause an emergency if they turn out to be venomous.
Moose
While not a predator, a moose can be just as dangerous if irritate
DO back away when the moose approaches, give yourself as much space from it as possible.
DO run away. Moose are unlikely to chase you when you run, and even if they do, they will lose interest quickly.
DO climb trees to get away.
DO get behind any obstacle of some sort to put something between you and the moose.
Alligator
Alligators live by swamps, marshes, and lakes. They primarily live in North America and Asia, meaning you will not find them unless you camp near a certain body of water in one of these countries. Nonetheless, they are still a potential threat if you do.
DO place some distance between you and the alligator. If an alligator starts hissing at you, you’re too close.
DO run away. It is possible to outrun an alligator. Run in a straight line, not a zigzag pattern.
DO target their snouts. When engaged with an alligator, their snouts are extremely sensitive, and may cause them to release you.
DO NOT swim in any waters where you see or suspect the presence of alligators.
DO NOT approach any disturbed land near the water’s edge, as it may be an alligator nest.
Wrapping Up
Even if you think those bears look cute on YouTube, you must always remember that in the end, they are still wild animals, and will not hesitate to maul you for a quick meal.
So, it is always good to stay alert and prepared. The best way to stop a fight with an animal is to prevent it from happening in the first place.