How to Interact with Wild Animals

When planning a hike, you must prepare for a wide variety of potential obstacles, ranging from injuries on the trail to inclement weather. Important items to pack include a first-aid kit and adequate water and food. You should also closely follow up-to-the-minute weather reports, and inform family and friends of your whereabouts and anticipated time of return. In addition, you must be ready to interact with various forms of wildlife while on the trail.

There are several basic tips hikers should follow when it comes to interacting with wild animals--or, more accurately, avoiding them. Generally speaking, humans should stay as far from wild animals as possible, giving them a wide berth and refraining from any behavior that might startle the animal or make it feel threatened. When hiking, you should talk frequently on the trail and make as much noise as possible, warning animals of your presence long before any interaction takes place. Similarly, adhere to all regulations pertaining to food storage while on the trail, so as not to attract unwanted animal attention.

When it comes to preparing for a hike, conduct as much research about a location as possible, including what animals are active nearby, and during which times of year. Hiking through wolf country during mating season, for example, is ill advised.

If you cannot avoid an animal encounter, there are a few things to keep in mind. Virtually all animals pose a threat to humans when they feel threatened: a bison or elk grazing on grass, for example, is just as dangerous as a black bear protecting her cubs. Regardless of the specific animal encountered, a good rule of thumb is to make yourself appear as big as possible while slowly moving in the opposite direction.

Of course, certain animals demand more specific precautions. Bears, for example, are vulnerable to bear spray. In terms of avoiding bears altogether, know that they are most active at dusk and dawn, and more likely to attack an individual hiker as opposed to a large group, though bears are not naturally vicious creatures. If a bear appears calm, slowly walk in the opposite direction, while always keeping an eye on the bear.

Indeed, how you remove yourself from an animal encounter is dependent on the species. Moose, for example, are not predatory and in most cases will simply walk away from humans, even if they feel threatened. If a moose begins approaching you, run in the opposite direction as fast as possible, ideally placing trees, boulders, and other obstacles in the animal’s path.

On the other hand, a cougar is much more likely to have its predatory instincts triggered by the sight of a human sprinting in the opposite direction. In this situation, hikers are advised to lock eyes with the animal and stand tall while slowly backtracking.

Finally, do not overlook potential threats posed by smaller animals. Foxes, for instance, almost always flee the moment they sense a human in the area. However, these animals can harm humans if threatened and may carry dangerous diseases, such as rabies.