So, you've put up with only pictures for the better part of a week by now. I'm guessing you're looking for something with a little more substance by now. So, what better to discuss...than ANIMAL ATTACKS?!?
Catch your attention? Nice!
What I mean in bringing up animal "attacks" is that I've heard comments from women for years about the solidarity we find in our fear of wildlife. I read countless stories of mountain lions encroaching on suburbs or the annoying deer that ruthlessly attack our fancy-pants gardens. I am ashamed that we have distanced ourselves so far from nature that we are more threatened by our two-four legged friends than we are enamored by them. I'm as guilty as anyone...I don't let my dog out at dusk out of fear that he might encounter a horrible, terrifying porcupine.
I don't mean to make light of the risks that come with our wildland friends because, of course, there are some...but I also think that if we all just knew a little better how to handle encounters with them, we might be more apt to enjoy their company rather than to expend so much energy fleeing and/or destroying them. So, without further adieu, here is the first in our When Nature Attacks series.
For most animals, just being noisy on trail is enough to keep them at bay. The RCs know this as we are almost never quiet enough to see wildlife!
The Bear:
If further than 300 feet, just walk away or continue along making a wide detour around the bear. If the bear hasn't seen you, be calm and quiet as you pass and then make a LOT of noise once at a safe distance to avoid future encounters. If the bear sees you, start speaking in a low, calm voice, retreat slowly and do not make direct eye contact with the bear.
The goal is to communicate that you are a human, that you can defend yourself but that you pose no threat and are leaving it's territory
Worst Case Scenario: Hold Still, Stand Tall (even if the bear charges or approaches). Make yourself as large as possible, standing your ground. Try to back away slowly and speak calmly. DO NOT RUN...EVER! If the bear doesn't back down, begin to speak more loudly, waving your arms. Do not make eye contact. Do not act aggressive, play dead, or otherwise show fear.
Of course, it helps to know the risk when you walk into the backcounty. A black bear is verrrrry different than a grizzly. Know what the potential threats are in your area and act accordingly. Know that bears don't see humans as food unless they're starving so any actions are in self-defense or if the bear is injured or immature. Quite often wildlife responds to us when we're stupid...and do things like you see above or here:
If a Black Bear charges, muster all our strength and stand your ground. They are most likely bluffing and if you stand tall, they will likely turn away. If they're not bluffing, FIGHT BACK. The only way to scare off a bear is to scare it away. Use your fists, pots, pans, rocks, whatever you can find that will make noise and could scare the bear away.
If you're contending with a Grizzly or Polar Bear, your bet off playing dead. If they're attacking in self-defense, you can put them at ease pretty quickly with this trick of lying completely flat on the ground. Do this only after the bear has made or attempted contact. Don't get into the fetal position as this only makes it easier to flip you over. Lay on your stomach to protect your organs, lace your fingers behind your neck, keep your legs together and wait for the bear to become bored with you and leave. Wait for several minutes before attempting to move on as a bear may return if it sees you moving.
