Safety Precautions for Wildlife Adventuring?
In about 6 months i am moving to north Vancouver Island.
In the time that i intend to stay there i plan on hiking, biking, along with other outdoor activities.
North Vancouver island has an abundant amount of Cougars, Brown and Black bears, and now even Grizzly Bears.
My Question is, can you recommend any other precautions in taking to avoid dangerous animal attacks and to stay safe?
When Hiking I Intend to have;
Hiking Backpack with speakers (to listen to music without headphones)
Food for long hikes (animals will possibly smell)
Bear Spray
Survival/hunting knife
GPS
Etc.
Also, My significant other has a Miniature american eskimo dog which she intends to walk through the forest. Just wondering if you also think this is a ridiculous idea…
Thanks for the Mature Input!!
it’s always good to have a survival tin in-case something goes horribly wrong.
You seem prepared, however I would recommend a set of bells for when you are not listening to your music. Wild animals most often attack if they are surprised, so making a lot of noise reduces that risk.
Food will not necessarily be smelled by animals if it is sealed and not overly smelly (ie. fish). Make sure to also have a water bottle with you!
The GPS is a good idea if you are making your own trails but not really needed if you are on marked ones. I would suggest your cell phone instead (though it is probably a given that you have it on you). ALWAYS make sure it is fully charged when leaving on a trip! A phone not only gives you a way to contact help in an emergency, but most phones these days come with an internal GPS locator so if you are lost or hurt, you can easily be found.
Other precautions would be to know how to react to different predators if you come across them. For example: if a bear is confronting you, slowly walk backwards and keep eye contact, don’t run and don’t turn your back. If it attacks, cover vulnerable spots (ie. neck and face) and play dead. However, if a cougar attacks, fight it with all you have, playing dead WILL NOT work. Go for the eyes.
ur survival kit lacks a really important item…..a GUN!!!…..and a fairly large caliber one is needed for bear defense……bear spray only works if u have time to use it and it also incapacitates u as well due to wind and nature of a spray agent…..
a gun will startle the bear /cougar and also if needed will kill it…….
.44 magnum is the most common bear gun……they make the .500 specifically for bear defense but ammo is outrageous + the initial price of the gun is high……
would suggest u also carrying a survival kit of some sort….that has stuff for fire shelter and first aid……
Being bear aware is the main key to safety. As another suggested wear bells as you hike. These alert bears to your presence in heavy brush where you may come across a bear suddenly. When we hike we are often to busy enjoying the scenery and we make little noise. The bears are just the same, busy doing what bears like to do, its the sudden surprise that’s gets everyone riled up. Also were bright colors like red-flannel so you can be seen better through the brush. Your already carrying pepper spray, make sure its the type for bears the strongest there is. A side arm is good too where legal in a magnum caliber. Leave toto home unless he is a 50lb plus size dog, small dogs are candy to wild animals. Once in bear country be alert to bear signs. Bear rubbings on trees for example. I saw one once that was 16ft high. Also tracks and of course bear scat, you know it is bear scat by what’s in it. It will have red flannel and bells in it and smell of pepper spray …brouhaha LOL!