An encounter with a wild animal, whether in a deep wilderness area or a suburban park, is often unexpected and requires immediate, thoughtful action. Wild animals generally prefer to avoid human contact, but their natural behaviors can lead to sudden, close-range interactions that carry risk. Preparedness is paramount because how a person reacts often determines the outcome of the event. Understanding the difference between a defensive animal and a predatory one is the foundation of safely navigating these potentially dangerous situations.
Essential Rules for Any Encounter
Maintaining distance is the most fundamental rule when you first notice an animal approaching or nearby. The initial goal is to create space and allow the animal a clear path to retreat without feeling threatened. If you are with others, immediately gather all children and pets, keeping dogs on a short leash and close to your body.
Never turn and run from a wild animal, as this motion triggers a natural chase instinct in many species, transforming you into prey. Instead, stand your ground and begin to back away slowly, moving diagonally to keep the animal in view without making direct, challenging eye contact. Speak calmly and firmly in a low voice to identify yourself as human.
A crucial defensive tactic is to make yourself appear as large and intimidating as possible to discourage the animal from approaching further. This can be achieved by slowly raising your arms above your head, opening a jacket, or holding up a backpack.
Specific Strategies for High-Risk Wildlife
The most effective reaction to an approaching animal depends entirely on the species and whether its behavior is defensive or predatory. For bears, differentiating between a grizzly and a black bear is important, as is determining the animal’s intent. A defensive bear, often a mother protecting cubs or a bear startled at close range, will exhibit signs of stress like jaw-popping, huffing, or a bluff charge.
If a defensive grizzly bear attacks, drop immediately to the ground, lie flat on your stomach, and use your hands to protect the back of your neck. Playing dead shows the bear you are no longer a threat, and you should remain still until the animal leaves the area entirely. Conversely, if a defensive black bear attacks, or if any bear species appears to be stalking you in a predatory manner, you must fight back immediately and aggressively, targeting the animal’s face with any available weapon.
Encounters with mountain lions require a different, highly aggressive response, as these are ambush predators that rely on stealth. You must stand your ground, maintain continuous eye contact, and shout or throw objects to make yourself seem dangerous. If a mountain lion makes contact, fight back with extreme force, aiming for the eyes and nose.
For canids like coyotes and wolves, the method of “hazing” is used to reinforce their natural fear of humans. This involves intense intimidation by yelling, stomping your feet, and aggressively throwing non-lethal projectiles like small rocks or sticks toward the animal.
Large defensive herbivores, such as elk or moose, especially during the spring calving season or fall rut, are responsible for more injuries than predatory carnivores in many regions. These animals signal aggression by flattening their ears, lowering their heads, and pawing the ground. If an ungulate approaches aggressively, find a sturdy object like a large tree or vehicle to place between yourself and the animal, as their instinct is to trample rather than chase.
Proactive Measures to Prevent an Approach
Making loud, human-sounding noise while hiking is an effective way to announce your presence and avoid startling an animal at close range. Talking, singing, or periodically yelling a phrase like “Hey bear!” is far more effective than using small bear bells, which often do not carry far enough to alert an animal.
Properly managing all attractants is fundamental to preventing animals from associating humans with food sources. When camping, all scented items, including food, trash, and toiletries, must be secured in a bear-resistant canister placed at least 100 feet (30 meters) away from your sleeping area. Alternatively, if hanging food, the bag must be suspended at least 15 feet (4.5 meters) high and 10 feet (3 meters) from the nearest vertical support.
Maintaining distance also prevents close approaches, as animals accustomed to human proximity can become aggressive or habituated. Official guidelines recommend maintaining a minimum distance of 100 yards (91 meters) from predators like bears and wolves. For other large mammals, including moose and elk, a minimum distance of 25 yards (23 meters) should be maintained.