By Mariah Cannon
Wildlife can be quite an intimidating thing, especially when you’re deep in the wilderness and maybe don’t have service, etc. I’m going to share things that help me feel safe and protected against wildlife (amongst other things) while I’m out on the trails and exploring the great outdoors.
1. Researching the Area You’ll be Going
I think it’s so crucial and I’m always surprised by the lack of knowledge from people when they’re traveling somewhere. And I do think social media is a lot to blame for this because we see all the time these gorgeous places to hike to and visit, with limited information and many people will add it to their lists without even checking on anything in the area. Many people don’t know the terrain, wildlife, distance, ten essentials, and more before they visit a wild area. (That’s a whole other blog post…)
You must research the area you’ll be exploring, especially when it comes to wildlife. I love checking the National Parks Site for info on national parks, forests, monuments, and land – they typically list animals located in the area and often offer tips on what to do when you see them.
You can also stop in the local ranger station closest to the trailhead you’re hiking, rangers are very knowledgable of the area they’re working in and can provide some great insight and might even give you some hidden gems to check out along your route!
Obviously, wildlife is just that, wild. And they can throw us for a loop just about anytime they might want to, but if we research ahead of time it not only gives us knowledge of what roams the area, but also allows us to have more confidence in the outdoors and be just a little more prepared.
So my first tip, make sure you have a general idea of the place you’ll be exploring!
2. Learn How to Identify Animals
I think this is probably the biggest/most important aside from researching! This is very broad and take from it what you will, but knowing how to identify common animals by their scat, tracks, tree markings, scent, and noises – could help you and your group immensely if it ever came down to it.
You can truthfully find a lot of information on tracks, scat, etc via little guide books from thrift stores! You can also purchase new from REI, Amazon, etc. But I’ve found several pocket sized ones in thrift stores.
3. Carry Protection
Now, I know that this can be a very sensitive topic, but carrying protection – in whatever form that looks like for you – is so so important. And I truly wish that more people would bring something with them that they’re confident in using and that will protect them against wildlife, etc.
Bear Spray
This is a must for me! I always carry bear spray. It has great spraying distance, has a direct hit, and can work for more than just bears if it’s ever needed. I personally use Counter Assault and have carried their brand for over five years!
Knife
This is likely the easiest protection to carry as everyone can get one, store it easily in a pocket, and use it for other things like cutting rope, packaging, bandages, etc. It’s really something you should carry regardless of if you’ll be where wildlife is or not! This is the one I bring with me here.
Firearm
This should only be carried by somebody who is trained, knows how to handle it, and feels comfortable and confident using it. There are many places who host classes on firearm safety and handling. I’d also add that a firearm is not allowed everywhere. Some buildings, land, and places ran by the department of the interior do not allow firearms to be in the area. Make sure to do your research so you know where you can carry and where you cannot.
Be Situationally Aware
It’s super important to be aware of your surroundings and stay alert. And when I say this, I don’t want you to be paranoid or hyper fixating on noises and movement, but you should absolutely know what’s around you and if something were to be lurking around. It’s a hard balance to find, but when you do, it puts your mind at ease.
Being aware looks like this for me:
- Checking how many cars are at the trailhead so I can get a good idea of how many people I should expect to see or pass (this is also really good in case of an incident or emergency).
- Not wearing headphones or playing music/audio books that block my sound from things around me.
- Stopping every half mile to mile to observe the scenery and make sure no animals are stalking me, etc.
- Making sure to listen to the sounds and noises of nature, but not hyper fixate on every little thing. (Squirrels and chipmunks are actually very loud lol)!
What to do Should you Encounter an Animal in the Wild
If you come across a black or brown bear:
Black Bear and Brown Bears are typically a more timid bear, they don’t usually want anything to do with humans unless provoked or have cubs that you’re in between. So making lots of noise and appearing bigger than you are helps keep them away from you. Do not run if you encounter one on trail, instead back away slowly and calmly while making noise and moving your arms up high, create enough space between you and the bear so it knows you’re not a threat!
If you come across a Grizzly bear:
A grizzly bear is a little different than a black or brown bear as they have a little more “killer” instinct to them. If you come across one; stay calm and make your voice loud, back away slowly and raise your arms slowly. If it should follow you, keep backing up to give it more space, they eventually will move on once they realize you’re not a threat to them. The very last resort thing you should do if a grizzly bear is attacking or continuing to stalk you, is lay down and play dead. Keep your pack on while doing this as it provides back protection from them.
If you come across a cougar/mountain lion:
Cougars are very vicious animals and like to stalk pretty much anything that is in their area. They are extremely territorial, especially during kitten season. Making yourself appear big and loud typically disengages any attack senses they have in them, but never take your eyes off of it. A cougar naturally attacks when its prey is not paying attention or makes a sudden change in motion. I.e. do not bend down, move differently, and never take your eyes away from the animal.
If you come across a moose:
Moose have a little bit different instinct than the above animals, however they are still very mean. It’s important to make your presence known so you don’t scare them and maintain 50 yards at minimum between you and a moose. If you stay completely still, a moose is less likely to care about you. So don’t run or give it any reason to charge at you. If you can safely hide behind a tree or something larger than you, that is the best option when encountering a moose.
If you come across a mustelidae (badgers, wolverines, ferrets, otters, etc):
Within the mustelidae family, badgers and wolverines are the only ones you really have to worry about. They are both very vicious animals and are extremely territorial, especially during baby season. If you pass any large holes while hiking, it’s possible it could be a badger den. Make sure to back up past the hole to allow the badger to return to it. A badger will attack pretty much no matter what you are doing, so make sure to kick your legs and dirt at it to avoid it being able to bite your legs. (I do speak from experience lol)…
A wolverine is pretty elusive and its unlikely you’ll encounter one hiking, but if you do make sure to get out of its path quickly and give it space to continue on its original route.
Be sure to pick up any little dogs you may have with you as they will see them as threats and try to attack them.
All in All
- Maintain your distance between all wildlife.
- Be loud and make yourself appear big.
- Never make any quick or sudden movements.
- Carry some form of protection with you while exploring.
- Know how to identify animal tracks, scat, and noises.
- Research the area before you arrive to have an idea of what to expect.
I hope this helps you feel a little more confident in the wilderness and gives some insight to animals you maybe didn’t know about or think about. Stay safe out there!
Enjoy this guide on what to do during a wildlife encounter? Be sure to save it to prepare for future adventures!
Let’s Get Adventuring!
Mariah 🙂
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