Carrying rocks with you, making plenty of noise when hiking, and always being aware of your surroundings are good tips to keep in mind while in cougar country, just so you don't become a candidate for a cougar attack. Learning to Protect Yourself From Wild Animals in the Forest This means you can learn their behaviors and what not to do around them so not to trigger an attack. Black bear near popular hiking trail. Hikers generally have certain wild animals they watch out for while hiking. Google’s Gmail Goes Down Users Report a Variety of Problems, Understanding the Pitfalls Leading to Test Automation Failure, Thailand’s Generals and Royalist Elites Face Off with New Generation. If the animal sits or begins grooming itself, it’s a sign that the animal is not predatory and you should follow and mimic his actions (while keeping the animal in your peripheral vision). But do keep a bear pepper spray and hiking stick handy at all times. The bottom line is that most wildlife wants to avoid you as much as you want to avoid them. Avoid Hunting Alone. Some bears can have a very distinct smell that you can detect from far away. Remember that animals are faster than humans. They make up flora and fauna that are essential for … While most are of the harmless variety, there are some that may not be as excited to see us. Where there are lion kittens, there are probably adults too. Stand on high ground and begin looking for rocks, sticks, or other weapons. This can be singing, talking, or even clanging hiking poles together. Keep your animals and pets safe while unattended. If the Mountain Lion is less than 50 yards away, prepare to defend yourself. Lay flat on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck. Avoid hiking at dawn or dusk. Keep your food away from wild animals. Several brands offer a practice canister that you can use to get the hang of how the spray works. An article on Glock 42 vs 43 pistol for self-defense handguns helped me choose what gun to bring. In most cases, if the animal has a way to leave or escape the area it will do so. However, while most wolves generally stick to this pattern of behavior, ... What’s important to keep in mind is you are dealing with a wild animal. Reasons Why We Should Protect Wild Animals. Make noise. Jordan Else with an elk in background. In fact, our lives would not be possible without animals and plants. This can be singing, talking, or even clanging hiking poles together. Aim for the eyes or at the throat and attack them violently. How the People’s Republic of China is Buying American Influence, Expats in Thailand Weigh in on Anti-Government Protests, Protest Against Thailand’s Ruling Government Getting Louder. In the majority of cases, wild animal encounters are a non-issue. The most common outdoor activities that people often do are camping, mountain climbing, hiking, and cycling. If you wear headphones while on trail, not only are you less likely to make noise, but you’ll miss hearing key noises that might clue you in to nearby wildlife. This is especially true in areas where they’re accustomed to seeing us, like hiking trails. Shorts, a t-shirt, throw on some shoes, […]. You can blow the whistle and most dogs will … If you are caught by surprise, and you cannot move anymore, do not run. If you’re in a vehicle and you see that a wild animal is chasing you, don’t leave the car. Don’t turn your back or run, no matter what you do. If this should ever be the case, curl up in the fetal position or lie face down on the ground. This year we, You know that time in nature is medicine for the m, That’s a wrap! Going outside in the summer seems easy by comparison. The most common animal encounter you’ll likely have on a trail is with a dog running or hiking with a human. Judges tend to forgive pepper spray, not Glocks. Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. So make plenty of noise so that you don’t surprise them. Avoid hiking alone if possible. 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Photo courtesy Erin Pennings. The reason is that they're likely to escalate the conflict. If you’re with kids, let them use a whistle or alarm. Even if it is just a deer or a moose, always be prepared. It is safer to do this than corner a wild animal and have to fight it. And, definitely, don’t approach the animal. Let's look at five varieties of desert animal that could potentially send you to the emergency room -- … Here are five tips to protect yourself from wild animals in the forest. Trees could fall off anywhere, rocks could break while you are climbing, thunder may strike when you are out camping, wild animals might appear, etc. But depending on where you live, it may be more than plausible and a matter of when, not if. Is the wild pig on your list? Photo courtesy Erin Pennings. Here are a few animals you may encounter when walking your dog and how you should handle the situation. They mainly dwell in forested areas where the trees and vegetation provide them shelter and food but they also can be found in marshes or swamps as well as farmlands. It’s effective against bears and mountain lions, among other large animals. If w, Fighting for the environment means something compl, A full moon, Halloween weekend, global pandemic, t, 🌳 Has your mayor signed the 10 Minute Walk Inia, This error message is only visible to WordPress admins, Hiking during hunting season – 10 safety tips, Learning Basic Navigation Skills: Don’t get lost, get going, Tips for Getting Outside When The Days Get Shorter, Fall Gear Essentials for Your Next Outdoor Adventure. ... like campgrounds and hiking trails. Usually, the animal will bite only a few times and then leave. Think of the possible threat and danger, check the entrance and the escape route, and most especially ask what kind of wild animals would be lurking in that forest. If you are hiking with pets, keep them on a leash and consider heading back to your car. But you should always use common sense and know what to do if an animal encounter goes wrong. Travel in groups. Thatch or wood is excellent for overhead insulation, provided you have enough of those. If … Stay calm, and do not look them in the eye. However, in the instance of getting a bit too close to a bear or other animal, you should brush up on what to do in the event that you are in a face-to-face situation. However, if you are attacked, be sure to fight back as hard as you can, throw rocks, and try to hurt it more than it can hurt you. Smaller children should also stay close to their parents. Personally, I bring handguns with me. If a mountain lion attacks, fight back and protect your head and neck. This is when many animals, including bears and mountain lions, are most active. Here are some tips for how to stay safe while hiking in remote ... How to protect yourself on hiking trails. And while it goes without saying that every hike is at your own risk, keep in mind that wildlife attacks, though highly sensationalized, are rare. You can also put food waste in a trash bag and tie the bag to a high tree branch. Part of this comes back to making noise. What to Do If You See a Mountain Lion. Ask some reliable people on the news about the mountain. [2] X Research source Look for a whistle that irritates dogs. 7. DO NOT. Aside from always packing your bear spray, there are a few other precautions you can take while hiking in bear country. Keep defense tools handy at all times During the hike with your dog, you may be more interested in enjoying the nature, taking pictures, and keeping a casual eye every now and then on your furry friend. It’s highly rare you’ll encounter a cougar or mountain lion in the wild as they are rather elusive and rarely make themselves known to humans. Understanding What Makes a Great Online Casino? 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