Chapter 11 · Forest and mountains
Wildlife
Animal attacks are rare; falls, heat, and water kill far more people. Even so, each encounter has its own rule and it is worth memorizing, because the instinctive reaction (running) is usually the wrong one. For snakebites, stings, and wounds, see chapter 7.
| Animal | If you see one | If it attacks |
|---|---|---|
| Black bear (many forested and mountainous areas of the U.S. and Canada) | Do not run. Speak calmly, wave your arms, and back away slowly without turning your back. Pick up small children and pets. | Fight back with everything: punches and kicks to the face and muzzle, rocks, sticks. Do not play dead. |
| Brown bear or grizzly (northern Rocky Mountains, Alaska) | Do not run. If it makes a bluff charge, stand your ground and speak calmly; then back away slowly. | Play dead: face down, hands clasped behind your neck, pack on, legs spread so you cannot be rolled over. Stay still for several minutes after it leaves. If the attack continues, fight back with everything. |
| Any bear that stalks you or enters your tent | This is predatory behavior. Get your bear spray ready. Take shelter in a car or building. | Fight back with everything, regardless of the species. |
| Cougar (mountain lion) | Do not run or crouch. Look it in the eyes, raise your arms, open your jacket to look bigger, and speak loudly. Back away slowly. If it approaches, throw rocks or sticks. | Fight back standing and facing it; protect your neck and head. Use sticks, rocks, your jacket, or your hands. |
| Wild boar / feral hog (southern U.S. and other regions, even near cities) | Move away quietly and give it an escape route. Keep dogs on a leash: they often provoke the attack. Take special care around females with young and around wounded or cornered animals. | Get up high if you can (rock, tree, vehicle). If it knocks you down, protect your head and neck and get up as soon as possible; the tusks cause deep leg wounds. |
