Don't Run from the Big Furry Mountain Cat

Don’t run from the big furry mountain cat.

This was the take-away of a conversation amongst a good friend and I in which I claimed that I would likely die trying to pet something that I shouldn’t. Do not fret, I’m not actually tromping around in the wilderness looking for big game to befriend.

It is actually quite the opposite. When I am out and about, I try my best to respect that I am no longer in my own territory. Instead, I am now in bear territory. Cougar territory. Coyote, wolf, bobcat, moose, elk, raccoon, squirrel, bird—wild animal territory. And now I am the guest.

By growing up in-town or in a big city, you are not typically faced with the question of what you are supposed to do if you encounter a wild animal (like a wild animal, in the wild, not the zoo). Well, one of the best things you can do is just try to prevent seeing any big game in the first place. Here are a few things to think about:

1. You are not in your own territory anymore.

We humans developed a lot of land that has taken away a vast majority of animals' natural habitats. They still need somewhere to live, right? Right. Well, where there is a habitable environment, you can assume the animals are there. Even if you cannot see them.

2. Most wild animals want absolutely nothing to do with you.

There is a balance between respecting the peace of the natural environment and making sure that you’re safe. They sell “bear bells” for a reason. A lot of bear attacks, especially black bears, result from happening upon a bear and startling it. Or running into the cubs and then facing a very angry mother. It is good to make some noise every now and then, but still be respectful of the fact that many people are out in nature for the quiet peace. If you’re like me and you are night hiking (we will discuss night hiking another time), you may sing variations of jingle bells and other Christmas carols. Both to scare animals away and to make yourself feel better. Admittedly, not one of my most glorious moments. If you are hiking with a friend/partner, say something to each other a little bit loud every now and then. If you have got your dog with, maybe put a bell on their collar. I have personally never used bells but if it makes you feel better, go for it. You may, however, be endearingly awarded with some sort of bell-related trail name i.e. Cowbell…

3. Bear Spray

Okay, you do not have to carry bear spray if you’re going on a 30-minute hike on a popular trail. Quite frankly, there are a lot of through-hikers who do not carry it just because they’re hardcore dedicated to having the lightest pack-weight possible. However, it gave me some peace of mind to carry with me. But please, please make sure you understand which direction is correct to hold it… Some stores even require you to sign a contract of appropriate usage when you purchase, so this stuff is intense.

4. Bear bins: yes or no?

Well, the appropriate thing for me to advise is to always pack your food in a bear-safe storage bin if you’re going on long-distance hikes in bear country. The reasoning behind this is that not only do you not want to risk a bear coming into camp because they smell your food and being hurt by them on accident, over the long run we as humans do not want to essentially teach bears to associate humans with easy access to a quick snack. The more often they can snag food from a human camp without any consequences, the more likely they are to not shy from human interaction anymore. And I really don’t think that we are going to start domesticating bears as commonplace pets, at least I hope we never do. So, if you are able to use a bear bin it would probably be the best practice. However, due to their cumbersome nature and relatively low storage capacity, I would be lying if I said I always used one.

5. Mountain lions are stealth hunters

Most often lions also want absolutely nothing to do with people, and if you make noise to warn that you are in the area, they typically go the other direction. However, there are exceptions. If you are somewhere that there is only one water source for several miles, the chances of a lion encounter increase. The majority of mountain lion attacks come from young male lions who are seeking land that can be their territory. Mature male lions will chase the “adolescent” males out of their territory, often making them travel several hundred miles until they find land that has not already been claimed. This means that the young male lion will likely become emaciated, and these are the ones that are dangerous. They are quite literally starving—and let’s be honest we know human hanger is real, so consider it from a wild animal’s perspective. It’s not being paranoid to look behind you every now and then to make sure nothing is following you. And do not forget to look up above you in the trees every now and then as well. This is not to scare you, but it is important to just be aware of your surroundings.

If you do encounter a lion? DO NOT RUN. Running from a lion will trigger its prey drive and cause it to chase you. Maybe you are a college track star but I am sorry, you are not going to outrun this big cat. Instead, stand your ground, make lots of noise, make yourself as big as possible, face the lion and try to slowly back away. Be aware also that you still need to check your surroundings if the lion runs off—it may be taking another route to come back to you when you’re not paying attention. If there are rocks/sticks around, you can throw them at it. I am not saying that you should mistreat a lion, so don’t go there, haters. But you have got to protect yourself, and you have got to make yourself seem like you’re not an easy catch to do so.

P.S. it does piss-off mountain lions if you camp in their territory, and it does indeed give you goosebumps to hear one scream.

6. Wolves

To be honest, I am not super experienced in traveling through wolf territory, so I’m not going to give extensive advice in a subject that I do not feel that I have enough legitimacy to provide. Be aware of your surroundings as much as with any other animal threat and leave them alone if you encounter them.

7. Learn yo’ scat

There are so many resources, diagrams, descriptions, pamphlets even on differentiating between animal scat. Please take the time to learn them or you will end up like me—“is this a cow pie or bear poop?” and then being terrified the whole night and not sleeping and then finding out you are just in pastureland the next morning. :

8. The little guys

Your chances of running into the little guys like raccoons, squirrels, birds, bobcats, etc. are pretty likely. And by pretty likely, it is going to happen. These guys are not so much a worry, even bobcats. Bobcats are pretty terrified of people and do not hunt larger prey, so they are not much of a threat. Coyotes will generally leave you alone and are not pack hunters. If you do come across a pack of coyotes, be sure to notify game and wildlife the next time you get into a town.

9. Do not eat undercooked mountain trout

This is not so much a tip for your physical safety as much as it is a recommendation to keep you from having a very, very upset GI system for the next 24 hours. Mountain trout raw is not the equivalent of the spicy tuna roll from the sushi place you enjoy. A trekking pole does not equate to a skewer over a fire, either.

#protips