Most animals are afraid of us. However, they will defend themselves in certain situations. They will also defend their mates and babies.
The best strategy with animals is to make your presence known but otherwise do not disturb them. If you’re hiking with others, normal conversation is usually adequate to alert animals to your presence. If you’re alone, consider carrying a bear bell, which will produce a jingle that animals can easily hear.
When you encounter animals in the wild, think twice before you reach for your camera. The first priority is to make sure you are safe.
Only predatory animals such as big cats and Grizzly Bears are likely to attack you unprovoked. But the key word there is unprovoked. You must be very careful not to provoke any animal because they don’t know if the provocation is intentional or not and may fight back before you realize they are present.
If you see any large, threatening animal, such as a bear or mountain lion, back away slowly. Do not turn and run, which can provoke an animal’s instinct to chase you. Give them room to get away; don’t crowd the animal.
Bear Safety
Back away from any bear you see. If the bear continues to follow you for more than a few steps, stop and hold your ground. Try to look as big as possible by holding out your arms, trekking poles, clothing, etc. Speak loudly and confidently. Do not try to run or climb a tree. Bears are much better at this than you.
Carry pepper spray, especially in areas where grizzly bears are present.
If you’re attacked, try to curl up and play dead. If this works, remain motionless until you are sure the bear is gone. If it doesn’t work, you must fight back. The bear’s most vulnerable place is its eyes. Poke or jab them forcefully and repeatedly.
Food is what usually attracts beats to hikers and campsites. Therefore, it’s crucial to make it as difficult as possible for a bear to get your food. There are two ways to do this; by storing food in a bear-resistant canister, or by hanging food out of reach of bears.
In addition, keep your campsite clean, and keep all food and cooking items away and downwind from your tent or sleeping area.
Poisonous Snakes
Poisonous snakes present a real danger. Rattlesnakes especially are a serious threat. Other common poisonous snakes in the U.S. include copperheads and water moccasins. Coral snakes are poisonous too, but they are rare.
Learn how to recognize the poisonous snakes in the area where you plan to hike.
Before you sit on a rock or log, stamp your feet, bang a stick, or otherwise create noise and vibration that will announce your presence.
Wearing boots provides extra protection from snakebite compared with low-cut shoes.
If you see a snake, back away slowly.
If you do get bitten by a snake, hopefully you will be able to identify it so you will know if it was poisonous. Get away from the snake to prevent additional bites. Situate the bite location as low as possible and remain still to minimize the spread of the venom. Wash the area and apply a loose bandage. Do not cut or apply a tourniquet. Call for help. Drink water.
The Cat Family
The cat family has several members that can present a threat, including mountain lions (cougars, pumas), and lynxes (wildcats, bobcats).
Be especially alert for them at dawn and dusk. Do not approach under any circumstances, even if the animal is dead. Pick up children and pets, but remain upright. Yell, shout, clap your hands, or blow a whistle to intimidate.
Do not run, as this can trigger an animal’s chase instinct. Instead, retreat while keeping the animal within your peripheral vision.
If you are immediately threatened, that is, if the animal is within about fifty meters (about fifty yards), maintain eye contact while retreating. Pick up sticks or rocks in case you need to defend yourself. Always remain standing. If attacked, hit the animal with any weapon you can get your hands on. If you have no weapon, kick the animal with your boots or shoes.
Wild Canine Species
Wild canine species that can be threatening include coyotes (jackals, prairie wolves) and wolves.
Wolves can approach 65 kilograms (140 pounds), making them formidable enemies. Coyotes are significantly smaller at weights of up to 34 kilograms (75 pounds). Both are strong, may have rabies, and can run faster than you.
Wolves are most dangerous when they have had limited exposure to humans, especially hunters, and when they are in large packs. If attacked by wolves, select one member of the pack. Pick one that’s somewhat off to itself and run towards it as if to attack, making yourself appear as formidable as possible. This hopefully will cause that wolf to retreat, and the pack to follow.
Moose
Moose are a large species of deer that, like wolverines, are found in colder climates. They are not normally aggressive towards people, but can be provoked easily. Stay away from them.
Armadillos
Armadillos can carry diseases and should not be touched whether they are alive or dead.
Rodents
Rodents are a nuisance because they will try to get at your food, chewing and damaging almost anything that stands in their way. But beyond being a nuisance, they carry dangerous diseases.
Mice, in particular, are known for carrying Hantavirus, a life-threatening disease with symptoms similar to the flu. Contact with mouse nests, droppings, or urine can cause infection.
Unfortunately, mice tend to gather at hiking shelters and anywhere that people frequently consume food. Be especially careful at these locations. Check for evidence of rodents when selecting campsites. Don’t sleep on the bare ground; use a tent, bivy sack, or hammock. And as always, practice careful hygiene.
Spiders
Spiders sometimes seem to like to build webs across hiking trails where you can’t see them until it’s too late. But their real danger lies in their venom. While most spider bites only produce minor reactions, some are more dangerous.
Widow spiders, including black widows, redback spiders, and katipo, are among the greatest threats because of their large numbers, widespread range, and toxic venom. They can be found in most parts of the world. Their bites produce painful effects including muscle spasms and contractions. They can also lead to spinal or cerebral paralysis of varying degree.
Tarantulas are not only very scary but are also sometimes poisonous. A bite by a tarantula is painful and often leads to infection. Unless you are a subject matter expert, it’s best to carefully avoid all spiders.
Scorpions
Scorpions can be found all over the world except for Antarctica. There are many types of scorpions, and some 25 species of them can be deadly. All of them, however, can produce painful stings.
Scorpions can be detected in darkness using ultraviolet light. A small ultraviolet light is very useful for inspecting camping areas, huts, and so forth. Scorpions will glow under black light and are thereby easier to detect when it’s dark.
When getting dressed in the morning, check your clothing and especially your shoes for scorpions before putting them on. If you put your pack on the ground, check it carefully when you pick it up.
Leeches
Leeches are found in areas that have water. They can attach themselves to your body, using suckers to draw your blood. They have a sucker at each end of their wormlike bodies.
If you find a leech on your body, use your fingernail or a blunt object to pry the sucker at each end of the leech’s body. This will break the suction and then, you can remove the leech easily. Do not use fire or chemicals to remove leeches.
After removal, clean and disinfect the remaining wounds and cover them with bandages. Leeches can apply an anticoagulant which can cause bleeding to continue for a long time.
Insects
Insects can make an otherwise glorious hike absolutely miserable. For many people, insects are the worst aspect of hiking. Depending on the location, the weather, the season, and the time of day, insects can range from a non-issue to an overwhelming problem.
Ticks, mosquitoes, bees, wasps, ants, gnats, mites, fleas, chiggers, and minges (no-see-ums) can sometimes seem as if their sole life purpose is to aggravate hikers. The problem is at its worst in the summer and in moist areas. Insect bites can be painful and itchy. Sometimes they can carry disease.
Insect Repellants
Insect repellants are liquids that deter bugs.
The most effective ingredient is DEET. Look for a high percentage of DEET in the product you choose. A little bit goes a long way, so use it conservatively.
Apply the solution by hand when using it around your face. Be careful to avoid your eyes and mouth. Wash DEET products from your skin at your earliest opportunity. You can also apply DEET to your clothing. DEET can damage nylon, polyester, and some plastics. Keep it securely contained. Since DEET is harmful, we can recommend alternatives including picaridin, Eucalyptus oil, and IR3535.
Clothing and Netting
Protective clothing is also effective against insects. Clothing can provide physical barrier protection or chemical protection. Any kind of clothing provides some physical deterrent to bugs, so wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts is important.
Some people like to tuck their pants into their socks to keep bugs from getting onto their legs. This can be pretty uncomfortable in hot weather, though.
Purpose-made physical barrier clothing comes in the form of netting. You can get head nets or full body nets. In extreme situations where bugs are rampant, netting may be the only acceptable solution.
Fabrics and netting alone do not provide complete protection, as some mosquitoes often bite people right through their clothing. So, loose clothing is better because it does not remain in direct contact with your skin over such large areas, as does tighter clothing.
Clothes can also be chemically treated. You can buy treated clothing or you can treat your own clothes using products that contain permethrin. Permethrin is very harmful to fish and aquatic life, so if you’ve used it on your clothes, be extremely careful that water used from washing your clothes cannot make it back to your water source.
Citronella or bug repellent candles are useful for discouraging bugs at campsites.
Avoid wearing perfume, cologne, and using scented deodorants and soaps. These products have an aroma that will attract insects.
Dark or brightly colored clothing can attract bees. They can also make it more difficult to spot ticks. Especially if you’re allergic to bees, wear light-colored clothing.
Insect Bites
As difficult as it may seem, you should not scratch insect bites and stings due to the threat of infection and the fact that scratching only worsens itching and pain. You may rub the area lightly with your fingertips, but avoid touching the actual bite or sting site. You can treat bites and stings with topical application of hydrocortisone, aloe vera, or calamine lotion or with the ingestion of antihistamines.