Hiking Precautions

[kampingkoge]

Was just wondering about security while hiking?  What precautions do you take when hiking, I'm more interested in responses related to physical security against wild animals and such.

[AustinBoston]

Was just wondering about security while hiking?  What precautions do you take when hiking, I'm more interested in responses related to physical security against wild animals and such.

That depends a great deal on where you plan on hiking and what time of year.  For example, venemous snake precautions are far different in November in New England than in April in Arizona.

Where will you be hiking, and when?

Austin

[fritz_monroe]

In the mid-Atlantic region, there aren't many large dangerous animals.  We do have venomous snakes, though.  So while hiking, never step over fallen logs without checking first.  If you have to climb, you don't reach blindly up onto ledges.  Don't go reaching into holes for anything without checking.

We do have black bears, but they are usually not interested in people.  The case in TN is an exception.  While hiking, talk in a normal voice.  If you use a backpack, tie something that makes noise so you don't sneak up on a bear.

[ForestCreature]

If you're hiking in the northern lower or the U P, talking and making a little noise will more than likely scare off any black bear or other 4 legged critters.
 
 In all the hiking we've done in both the lower and upper we have only seen bear once in the lower and that was driving the forest service roads (Pigeon River SF) not hiking. They tend to want to stay away.  
 
 Now in the Upper black bear are more plentiful, more so on the west side. We have yet to meet one on a trail. They do make visits during the night to the CGs so a clean camp helps keep them away any time you're in bear country.

[kampingkoge]

That depends a great deal on where you plan on hiking and what time of year.  For example, venemous snake precautions are far different in November in New England than in April in Arizona.

Where will you be hiking, and when?

Austin

Mid - upper Michigan (Lower Penisula).  Most worried about bears, I hear that pepper spray may work if attacked.   DW and I were hiking last fall and I guess our minds stated to run with thoughts of wild animals (LOL).  We were told by locals that there are black bears around earlier in the day.  So in short we ended our hike early and made it back to camp.

[flyfisherman]

We get back into some rocky mountain streams fly fishing and we like staying in touch with one another with the plain, simple ole Motorola Talkabout FRS radios. I think they were on sale, either Cabelas or Wally-Marts ... for $39.95 a pair. Keeps everyone in touch in case of  sliping on the rocks, or who-knows-what attacks,  or just to find out what the other is up to. We find they have a good overall two mile range - farther in level country.  They use (3) AA batteries for each radio which last quite awhile. Been using them for some time now and a great assurance for the possibility of letting someone know what's going on.


Fly

[abbear]

Ah yes - Bear Scare.  Let's take a look at this for a sec.  You are more likely to die in a car accident on the way to you hike than have a black bear attack you.  The TN attack is probably due to the bear being ill.  Black bears just don't go off and attack humans for no reason.  Get between a mother and her cubs or carry good smelling food on your person or in your tent and that is another story.  A wise hiker in bear country will attach a small bell to their pack to alert bears to their presence.  Talking while you walk does the same thing.

If you are in grizzly country it is a different story.  Old man griz can't see real well and may charge and attack just because he can.  THIS is the bear you read about in the papers - not the cute little furry black bears.

Polar bears?  Be afraid.  Be very afraid.

[SpeakEasy]

Know how you can tell a bear by its scat (droppings)? Black bear has berry seeds. Grizzly bear has bells. LOL!

We always sing while we're hiking in griz country. Just to let them know we're there.

 One day, hiking in Grand Teton National Park, we spent a couple hours on the trail. Saw a black bear at a distance and were thrilled. Then, at the end of the hike we had to wait in a line to take the boat back to the main trail head. We stood in line for maybe 10-15 minutes with a bunch of other people. The line was on a shoreline, at the top of a bank maybe 20 feet above the level of the lake. Then, while in the boat, we looked back at where we had just been standing in line, and down on the shore - right below the rest of the people still in line (and out of their sight) was a large black bear! We think it had been there the whole time, but no one was aware of it. It didn't seem to mind us one bit!

[flyfisherman]

If you are in grizzly country it is a different story.  Old man griz can't see real well and may charge and attack just because he can.  THIS is the bear you read about in the papers - not the cute little furry black bears.

Black bears can be a very formidable wild animal and a big problem is down playing their presence and the caution that should be taken in an area where they habitate. Having an idea of what kind of action should be taken when encountering them might be a good idea.

http://www.maineguides.org/referendum/bear_attacks.shtml


Fly

[CUL8R]

In this area, Moutain Lions are also a threat.  Being aware of your surroundings is always critical no matter where you are, including in the city.  You can avoid a lot of trouble by being truly aware.  Also, packing protection is a way of life most places out here.  It is a defensive measure, a game getter should you be injured and unable to get back out of the woods, and a signaling device.

Jim

[jakelaw]

Speakeasy, was that on Jenny Lake two summers ago, maybe July?  If it was, that bear eventually was put down.  Earlier in the summer, it had gotten some food from a pack left unattended  they had to move the bear to another part of the park.  Then mid July it found it's way back and got an ice cream cone left by a scared child who's mother told her to drop the cone and run (know because the mother and daughter almost ran over us on the trail), they had to move it again, and about two weeks later, it got into I believe a cooler left out, and third time is the charm so they put it down.  I wish people would just follow the rules and this type of thing wouldn't happen.  I grew up (first 21 years of my life) in Alaska hunting and fishing and really did not worry about bears that much.  The key is to understand that you are no longer at the top of the food chain, they are, and that for the most part, they are more afraid of you than you are of them.  Make noise, carry bear pepper spray, (I got the same type issued to the NP Rangers) and if you are in an area where it is legal, a .44 magnum would not be unwise.  Most important, just get out and hike and enjoy the outdoors.

[striker]

Was just wondering about security while hiking?  What precautions do you take when hiking, I'm more interested in responses related to physical security against wild animals and such.

Depending on your location, you may have the option of carrying a handgun while hiking. I've been doing so for many years and I make sure I have the proper permits for my location. I carry a Glock 29, 10mm, which should stop any human or animal threat in the mid-Atlantic region which is where I spend most of my time although I've been to Maine, VT, and NH too. For permit information, consult
//www.packing.org. Click on your home state and ones you plan to hike in.

While handguns are prohibited in National Parks, they are generally allowed in National Forests for personal protection, if you have the state permit or one that state honors. However, there are some states such as NC and TN where the wildlife regs prohibit carrying in
national forests. NF LEOs are few and far between and do not usually give high priority to enforcing this regulation. If you carry concealed, it's not going to be an issue unless you have to use it.

Regarding bears, I've saw three last year in the GW National Forest in VA.  Two of the three ran from me and the third, a mother with 2 cubs, did not smell me (wind was coming to me).  Was a safe distance from her, about 40 or so yards, but could not get a good picture.  As others have stated, they are not usually a problem.

On human threats, I've seen some people that made my antennas go up. (I spent 20 plus years as a reserve police officer in a high crime area.) In the last 30 or so years in the great outdoors, I can't recall a truly threatening situation.  

I do avoid the high traffic areas since its best to be in less populated areas when hiking with a dog, even though he stays on a leash.

Striker

[ARIZONA GUIDE]

I am a Hunting guide and Bear and mountain lions are two of the animals we hunt. This causes me a few problems on some of the camping forums. So i do not want to get in the right to hunt and no right to hunt that will most likly arise. What i have to say is the honest truth. You are more likly to incounter a human that is more dangerouse to you than a wild animal. The fact of the matter on the other hand is you should be prepared for that incounter you could have with a animal that gets upset with you.

I pack a fire arm at all times in the wilds. I also am An avid Gold prospector in AZ. You can buy pepper spray for wild animals and it will turn them from you and in a few minutes they will be just fine. On the other hand if you point it the wrong way the bear will have a spicey meal :yikes:

Bears are very unpredictable critters by all means, But for the most part if you keep a clean camp you will be just fine. Even though we have a fridge in our pop up there is never any food stored in our trailer. We do alot of camping in some very thick bear country. We will see about four a day on the creek.

[tplife]

Only a fool travels in the back country without a firearm.  Many fools have been eaten in ours by cougars.  In the US, you are guaranteed the right to protect yourself with firearms.  When in a Nat'l Park, I simply pack in a small lockbox, thus meeting federal requirements for transport and negating any LE issues.

[AustinBoston]

Only a fool travels in the back country without a firearm.  Many fools have been eaten in ours by cougars.  In the US, you are guaranteed the right to protect yourself with firearms.  When in a Nat'l Park, I simply pack in a small lockbox, thus meeting federal requirements for transport and negating any LE issues.

As a heads up, gun discussions are generally not allowed here.  I think the posts you replied to slipped under the radar - several years ago.

Austin