Surviving an Animal Attack

By Ready Expert

With the summer months coming quickly upon us, many of us will be camping in the great outdoors. With that camping, the probability that we will run into a wild animal increases drastically.

We put together this document to highlight some of the things you should and shouldn’t do when encountering a wild animal. Take a look and tell us what you think!

General Rules

1. Do not approach unfamiliar animals even if they look friendly.
2. Stay calm and do not scream or make loud noises if the animal approaches you
3. If the animal is demonstrating odd behavior, remember that you are a predator - act like it!
4. Animals are more likely to attack children - pick them up if you see an animal.
5. Usually, animal attacks occur because people don’t make enough noise, get too close to a carcass or other food source or startle an animal with their babies.
6. Don’t hike at night.

Bears
Statistically, a bear attack is very unlikely. Bears tend to avoid humans except to steal food. A grizzly bear is more likely to attack than a black bear.

If you encounter a bear, don’t sit around to watch it. The bear is most likely doing its business and encountered you too. Continue along your business but begin to create space between you and the bear. Do not run directly away from the bear or at the bear.

If the bear follows you, separate yourself for the items of food that you have. If the bear seems uninterested in the discarded food, turn around and face the bear. Usually, the bear will back down. If it doesn’t, bring your arms to your side or above your head to make yourself look larger in an effort to scare the bear.

As a last result, play dead. Cover your head and face with your hands. The bear may sniff and paw you. You may even get a few bumps or broken bones but he probably won’t eat you. Humans don’t really fall anywhere in the fish and berry diet of a bear.

Do not run away from the bear, he can run faster than you. You can also climb a tree or try to out swim the bear.

Dogs Mean Dog
If you come across an aggressive dog, avoidance is the best plan of action. As you back away from the dog, locate a stick or something to arm yourself with. Try and use calm, soft language that shows that you are not a threat.

If the dog lunges at you, try to stay tall and erect. Use your legs to try and kick the dog in the face or ribs. Avoid lying down or stooping.

Snakes Aggressive Snake
Snakes will usually sense vibrations in the ground as you approach. They will typically hide behind rocks, logs or thick brush. Usually, they do not attack unless provoked.

Be sure to watch your path if you are turning a trail corner quickly or picking something up that has fallen in a hidden area.

Cougar & Mountain Lions
You should try and avoid mountain lions just as much as any other animal. However, it’s been reported that some mountain lions have made unprovoked attacks on humans. However, this is also very unlikely.

If you are attacked by a mountain lion, use anything and everything to fight back. Try and stay standing and protect your face, neck, and head. Try and scream as much as possible for help.

Alligator/Crocodile alligator-1401834-1280x960
Usually, alligators and crocodiles will avoid humans by retreating back into the water. If you happen across a nest they will usually chase you out.

If you need to run away from an alligator or crocodile, run in a zig-zag motion away from them. They run well in straight lines but not usually from side to side.

Scorpions & Other Insects
Be sure to shake out your shoes or clothing before putting them on. Insects and scorpions like to nestle into closed, dry locations like that.

Sharks Shark
Firstly, avoid shark-infested waters! If you’re in the water, be sure to keep an eye out for sharks and if you see one, get out of the water. If you can’t get out of the water, remain calm and stay in a defensive position. Try and reduce the shark’s angles of attack by using other obstructions as protection. Sharks also don’t like bubbles from scuba divers. If the shark attacks you, don’t play dead. Fight back as much as possible by hitting them in the gills, eyes or snout.

Velociraptors
Velociraptor-Prehistoric-Times If you come across a velociraptor and they seemed surprised to see you, don’t be fooled! This is a trick they use in their hunting techniques. Jump and weave your way out of the area as quickly as possible. According to the Jurassic Park movies, all velociraptors are girls and they are very clever.

Be sure to use locks on doors. They have evolved to use door handles so that will not help you. Install smooth round door handles in your home if you fear an imminent velociraptor attack. Your best bet is to trick the velociraptor using mirrors or other reflective surfaces.

13 years ago

Comments

Eric

13 years ago at 12:56 AM

If your in the backwoods, carry a sidearm if possible. Remember, there are predators on two legs as well as four.

Joanne Ryan

13 years ago at 4:52 AM

For the first response, when you are hiking you should make alot of noise. the animal will hear you and avoid you.once you have encountered the animal you should use these strategies. I learned this from a trail guode at glacier national park.

Pam

13 years ago at 7:01 AM

Walking in the woods...was always told to make A LOT of noise, carry bells, an airhorn that you sound every now and again. Also have been told to NOT wear earbuds for your mp3 player or get lost in a conversation on your cell phone (if you should have reception)...PAY ATTENTION to your surroundings. If you see the bushes moving make some noise. Also, using some type of walking stick helps, it provides some type of weapon should an encounter happen. As for the velociraptor attack....best bet is carry anything that makes a big hole in 'em...but, remember, they hunt in pairs/packs...and if you should happen to see a nest of raptor eggs...leave them alone.

13 years ago at 7:12 AM

And the most important thing to remember, wild animals are not Disney characters. I've heard horror stories of mothers telling their own children to go hug a bear cub just so they could take a cute nature picture. With most people living in urban environments who would disdain even the thought of stepping onto a farm, their only exposure to nature is the anthropomorphic cartoon characters they see on TV. Heck, some of these geniuses do not even know that meat actually comes from cows and pigs!

mthowdy

13 years ago at 9:08 AM

If in Grizzly Country it is imperitive that carry BEAR SPRAY...you can even rent it in Glacier. If you carry a gun in Griz Territory you are a Fool! Even the best would be infinitly fortunate to stop a Griz before suffering terrible damage or death. You see...even a .45 would only piss off a Griz...if you could hit him between the eyes you might make it...but, really, how many of us are that good even at the range...the bear will be on you before you even draw the gun. Oh, did I mention bear spray I am a veteran of 4 summers as a hiking guide in Glacier.

SFM

13 years ago at 1:26 PM

I was told yrs ago that campers had pie plates and if a bear approached they would hit the tin plates tgether to scare the bear away. So Noise definitley is a weapon.

Robert Fisher

13 years ago at 1:44 PM

Make noise....if possible try & make yourself look large, moving arms up & down while yelling, "hey bear" or something similar as you slowly back away....advice of Not making noise is Totally wrong...also make noise while walking path so as not to "surprise" animal

Rusty

13 years ago at 4:15 PM

Most important that has not been mentioned. If there is a four legged predator in the area, ie. cougar, bear, coyote, wolf etc. the birds will be silent. So listen to the birds, if they all of a sudden get silent it a guarentee that you have a predator. Heads up and follow some of the other advice. Living in an area where I have had black bear try to break in my door, bells, noise of some kind other than screaming gives them time to get out of your way. Your first weapon is awareness.

gena

12 years ago at 6:13 AM

I understand that bear spray works very well on human predators as well, and in areas where guns are controlled, or if you just don't have a gun, a can of bear spray near each door and the master bedroom bed stand, can save lives if someone forces entry into your house. Can cause permanent harm, use is not to be taken lightly, but if your life, your kids or grandkid's lives are on the line, and no gun is available, bear spray will disable them long enough for you to get to safety. And could leave them blind. Has to be kept out of children's reach.

Carol

12 years ago at 7:58 AM

Thank GOODNESS for smooth, round door handles! I don't want to have to worry about velociraptors.

TomK

12 years ago at 10:34 AM

Make noise noise noise! And get some bear spray, it works on dogs and other critters too, including the two-legged kind. I am much more likely to use bear spray than I am to shoot someone or something.

Selina

12 years ago at 10:16 AM

and if you should happen to see a nest of raptor eggs…leave them alone. Ah, no...DESTROY THEM SO THEY CAN'T HATCH! Sorry, that was too funny! :)

warcher

11 years ago at 11:04 AM

When I go to the woods to camp out I take a .45 cal pistol and a 7.62x51 semi auto rifle with a good supply of ammo...You know...Just in case the bells,whistles,and bear spray don't work...Camping is fun but do not take stupid chances....

don

9 years ago at 6:44 PM

In the event of a moose coming at you, QUICKLY put something between you and him! (i.e. tree, even saplings if nothing else available.) Moose are probably the STUPIDEST of the wild critters you'll encounter in the woods. They will stomp you to death for NO reason other than you're there.

BrendaH

6 years ago at 4:21 PM

Always zig zag when running from a moose. They don't run that way, probably due to their antlers. This is what they advise in Denali NP. It works, I speak fron experience!

Ben

7 years ago at 1:15 PM

I have camped, hiked, and hunted in Black Bear Country since I was young. I like to carry a 44 magnum with hard cast ammo. Elmer Keith hunted and probable killed more large game than anyone in his day. He always recommended a large bore with heavy, hard cast bullets. The bear loads sold in large mail order stores and local stores is a "heavy for caliber" bullet that is very hard cast. They come in several calibers for people that do not have magnums but the best are magnums. People who guide Black Bear hunts say that if you hit a Black Bear with a bullet they will run away if they do not drop.

rabidcitizen

6 years ago at 11:51 AM

Hiking/backpacking solo in Southern California, I was regularly clapping my hands in rapid succession, clanging my trekking poles together, and sometimes using a bear bell. I always carried an unpackaged mylar space blanket that I could quickly unfurl and hold up/wave around to make myself bigger, noisier, and weirder looking. When I worked for a summer in the Eastern Sierras living in a canvas wall tent, I had to chase black bears out of camp and away from our burros any time of day or night. Empty giant Folgers can and a fireplace poker was my noisemaker, on top of yelling like crazy. Stand your ground for sure, and advance only if they have retreated. I have a friend who hikes throughout California and swears by canned wasp spray like what you can get at Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. as a bear and cougar deterrent. Not expensive and fires a solid stream quite far, as long as you are quicker than the animal... If legal and practical in your state/area, by all means carry a firearm if you are trained and stay safe. Back in the day a .22 Bearcat revolver was enough to make some salty-looking dudes steer clear of my mom with her two small kids at the camp, and is probably adequate for rattlesnake dispatching and to have as a "kit gun." But if you are truly concerned about bears, especially brown bears (grizzlies), then in general get the biggest caliber you can safely handle and are proficient with. YMMV.