WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS:
How to Stay Safe and Respectful Hiking on the Trails
One of the best things about exploring Mother Nature is witnessing the “rawness” of the wild, especially the farther you wander away from civilization. It’s almost magical. The simple feat of a pine tree growing through a 5-ton boulder or the perfectly reflected mirror image of a mountain ridge over a crystal clear lake seems unreal. The more you think about it, the more you are amazed.
When it comes to the wild, there’s a never-ending supply of wonder around every corner. No two places in the world are exactly the same and you’ll be hard-pressed to find anybody who’s “seen it all”.
One of the greatest features of our beautiful planet is the wildlife that fills it. From the brightly colored beetles on the ground to the elegant eagles soaring overhead, our planet is full of amazing creatures.
It’s easy to forget, however, that we are guests in their domain. This is their world and we are just visitors hoping to catch a glimpse. I know I’ve been guilty of trying to get a better look. One time in Big Bear, CA, a literal big bear strolled right through our campsite. It was shocking, but also a little thrilling and I even followed the black beast for 30 - 40 yards after it left. Not something I proudly look back at.
The fact is, sometimes we get a little overzealous. We get closer than we should and we disregard simple safety steps every seasoned hiker should know and follow.
The great thing is these basic steps are easy to learn. Most of them might even fall under the “common sense” category like if you see a bear, don’t go chasing it haha.
So follow along. In this article, I plan to go over the safety basics everyone should have in the back of their mind when they’re out and about. I’ll also touch on how to act in some specific and potentially dangerous, animal encounters you won’t want to miss.
By the end of this post, you should be well-prepared for your next outdoor adventure! I hope you like it. Enjoy!
The BasiCs
First, let’s go over how to properly act at all times no matter what you’re doing. Whether it’s hiking, backpacking, running, mountain biking, camping, or anything else that takes you far into the woods, these easy-to-follow steps are fairly straightforward yet very important. You’d be surprised at how many hikers I’ve come across who ignore many of these.
1. Educate Yourself:
Always take the time to learn about which species live in the area you'll be exploring, and I do mean species. There are some beautiful spots seemingly void of large predators, but house some nasty insects that’ll give you a very bad day. Let’s just say don’t go hiking around Arkansas in shorts. The tics there will eat you alive!
Basically do a little research. Read up on behaviors, habitats, and potential risks. What time of the day do they feed and where do they hang out? The main bullet points. It doesn’t take long. 15-30 minutes and you’re golden.
2. Keep Your Distance:
Here’s a no-brainer. If you encounter an animal on the trail, don’t go near it, no matter how cute they are. That giant moose might look like it wants to be buddies, but let me tell ya, they don’t. In fact, moose cause more injuries in North America than bears and wolves combined! Partly because there are a lot of them, but also because they aren’t afraid of humans.
So maintain a safe distance at all times. If you see any animal, avoid approaching or disturbing it. If you have to have a closer look, use binoculars or a zoom lens on your camera or phone, but stay away. Animals are unpredictable, and getting too close to one can provoke them into becoming defensive, especially if they have any young around.
Give them plenty of space to move freely and behave naturally. Never, ever box an animal into a corner. The last thing you want to see is their fur standing up on the back of their neck or hear some sort of vocalization like a growl. Also, never attempt to feed them. You don’t want to implement bad habits that might cause dangerous situations in the future.
3. Stay Alert:
It might be tempting to plug in your headphones when you’re wandering through a forest, but this is pretty dangerous. I don’t recommend it. Not only are earbuds distracting, but they also completely deafen you. You’ll want to have all of your senses queued up and not dulled down.
Just be observant. Enjoy the sights and sounds but keep an eye and ear out for any signs of wildlife nearby, such as movement in the trees and bushes, recent tracks, or fresh droppings. Stay focused on your surroundings and you’ll be A-O.K.!
4. Be Mindful of Your Scent:
I bet you’ve never put much thought into this one before going for a stroll in nature, well besides how it relates to other humans of course. When I first started hiking, I didn’t give one thought to how my smell might affect the wildlife around me, but the fact is, animals have amazing noses.
Strong odors, such as perfumes, lotions, or food, can attract any and everything close, curious or hungry nearby. Stay away from all heavily scented products and make sure you are clean yourself!
5. Travel in Groups:
I know it’s not always possible to go hiking with a bunch of people, but try to have at least one buddy with you if you can. The larger the group, the more likely you are to scare away predatory animals. When it comes to safety and the outdoors, the rule is; The more the merrier.
Not only do bigger numbers help with fending off critters, but it’s also very beneficial in case of an emergency. Let me tell ya, it’s a lot easier carrying a person with 3 sets of hands as opposed to one.
Another good thing about hiking with friends is you make a lot more noise. More feet and usually a conversation is a huge increase on the decibel meter. This alerts animals to your presence and reduces the likelihood of surprising them on the trail.
6. Pack Out Your Trash
This follows under the “Leave No Trace” statute known by many a camper, but it’s important to include it here nonetheless. To put it simply, don’t be a jerk and leave your waste around for animals to find later on. Not only is this rude to your fellow hikers, but it’s also bad for the environment in too many ways to list here.
Always dispose of trash properly by packing it out. If you brought it, leave with it. There might be some trash containers/dumpsters near the start or end of your adventure but never rely on any bins within the area you’re exploring.
This includes food waste as well. You might be thinking, “What’s the harm in throwing a banana peel into a bush?”. I’ll tell ya. Leaving that food waste behind can attract animals closer and closer to campsites and trails, increasing the odds of bad interactions. Nobody wants to wake up to a giant nose of something peeking through their tent.
7. Keep Pets Leashed:
A lot of hikers love navigating the natural world with their best friend at their side. The problem comes if that animal is loose and running freely. I know you might want little “Bisquit” to have her freedom but some issues can arise if you do so.
Uncontrolled pets might run off at the drop of a hat at something they see or hear in the distance. They could run into a cave or down a hole. There are many stories of these pets becoming targets themselves once they do or worse yet, bringing the danger back with them to their unsuspecting owner.
So if you plan to hike with your pet, keep them on a leash at all times. If you feel like this is stifling their enjoyment, get one of those expanding leashes with a 50 ft. rope but don’t let them run wild.
8. Store Food Securely:
I would say 90 percent of the time, hikers only bring a sandwich and a piece of fruit with them on a light day hike over their favorite mountain. Sometimes we go a little overboard though or take a 2-3 day extended trip and need to bring extra food with us.
If you fall into the second category, be mindful to properly store your food. Use airtight containers made for the rugged outdoors. They are so handy and are usually odor-proof. Once you’ve eaten what was inside, they’re great for holding your used trash, food wrappers, or toiletries. They are very versatile and well worth the added expense.
9. Follow Park Regulations:
Last but not least, look out for and follow all posted signage regarding wildlife encounters in the area. Some parks may have specific guidelines like staying on designated trails or new rules for using drones. Always read up at the trailhead for any nuances you aren’t aware of.
Specific Animals
Ok now that we have gone over the universal safety tips, let's break down what to do in the more common or dangerous types of situations. Sadly, many people don’t know how to act when they come face to face with something that can do a lot of damage. Luckily I’m here for ya! Check out some behavioral tips you should know if you ever find yourself in one of these types of circumstances.
Mountain Lions:
I don’t know about you but the thought of a mountain lion pouncing on me is pretty frightening. One good thing about mountain lion attacks, however, is they seldom happen. I’ve read you’re 1,000 times more likely to get hit by lightning than to be attacked by a mountain lion but If you do encounter a mountain lion, there are basic steps you should follow.
Remember these important tips -
Obviously don’t approach it. This should go without saying, but you never know :)
Make yourself as big as possible. Stand tall, open your jacket, raise your arms, and grab a rock or tree branch. Anything you can do to take up as much space as possible. This will intimidate the lion and cause them to double-think their aggression. They don’t want to get injured any more than you do.
Back away slowly while facing the mountain lion. Don’t turn away as this activates their attack mode., Avoid any sudden movements and don’t run.
If the mountain lion doesn’t back off, make loud noises, throw objects, and if it comes down to it, fight back aggressively. Aim for sensitive areas such as the eyes, nose, and throat.
Once you have safely left the area, make sure you report the incident to the park authorities or wildlife officials. They’ll want to make preparations to keep as many people out of danger as possible.
Bears:
Just like with mountain lions, bear attacks are rare; most bears are only interested in protecting food, cubs, or their space. If you leave them alone, they are likely to do the same.
However, every situation is different, and different types of bears behave, well, differently. The main difference is the color of the coat the bear is wearing and I don’t mean a sportsjacket.
For some odd reason, the two types react differently to how you react to them. Check out the guidelines below and you’ll notice a huge difference in what your response should be.
Brown/Grizzly Bears:
If you are attacked by a brown/grizzly bear, leave your pack on and PLAY DEAD.
Lay flat on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck.
Spread your legs to make it harder for the bear to turn you over.
Remain still until the bear leaves the area.
Fighting back usually increases the intensity of such attacks. However, if the attack persists, fight back vigorously. Use whatever you have at hand to hit the bear in the face.
Black Bears:
If you are attacked by a black bear, DO NOT PLAY DEAD.
Try to escape to a secure place such as a car or building.
If escape is not possible, try to fight back using any object available. Concentrate your kicks and blows on the bear's face and muzzle.
Snakes:
Depending on the time of year and/or the weather, rattlesnakes become a common sight out on the trails. They’re generally timid and slither away if they sense any danger around but can and will bite if startled, threatened, or even accidentally touched by an unsuspecting trail user.
Most rattlesnake bites happen between April and October when it’s nice and warm, so during these months keep an extra eye out for those noisy little critters.
Be alert. Snakes tend to sun themselves in the midmornings when it's cooler out but in the summer months, they become more active at dawn and dusk.
Always wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots, socks, and long pants.
Carry a walking stick or trekking poles with you in case you need something to defend yourself with.
Avoid walking through underbrush and tall grasses on overgrown trails where snakes may hide. If you do, make a lot of noise, stomp your feet, or throw a few rocks in the general direction of your travel. This will give them plenty of time to get out of the way.
Walk on top of rocks or logs instead of completely stepping over them onto the unseen earth on the other side. You might surprise a snake that’ll attack in self-defense.
Teach your kids to respect snakes and not to interact with them.
Consider carrying a snake bite kit with you.
final Thoughts:
Well, that about does it. I hope I didn’t scare you too much with some of these examples, but it’s good to know. Knowledge is power right!?
I hope you’ve learned something new and feel more confident on your next outing. Nature is such a beautiful thing but can be very unforgiving. As long as you respect her, she’ll respect you right back.
Be mindful, know your surroundings, and do a bit of research and everything should work out well for you. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and I hope you’re having a wonderful day.
Happy trails and happy hiking!
about the author:
James Ryan is a seasoned hiker, backpacker, and adventurer who loves to travel and experience new things. An extrovert and creative at heart, James is most definitely a "People Person". He started his blog - the james guide in the hopes of sharing his knowledge and expertise. Look him up and give him a shout today!
