How can you protect yourself when you get attacked by a mountain lion, bear or any other wildlife animal?

Question

My friends and I started getting into hiking but we think that wildlife is pretty dangerous and we don’t want anything to with it. Just in case we get attacked by any wildlife animal, should we run or should we fight back? We are also taking a spear and a US Army knife with us (for our protection). I know that most of the wildlife animals are afraid of humans and they don't want anything to do with us. But that's just what I read I don't know if is true or not? Areas we’re hiking in are in Southern California and those areas are known for bears, mountain lions, coyotes, snakes, and lot more.

Answer 1

If you encounter any wildlife, talk in a steady voice and slowly back away. never turn your back to the animal, and make sure you leave it an escape route. If you are between the animal and its young, move out of the way.

The main thing to remember is DON'T ACT LIKE PREY. It's very hard to stop yourself from running, but stay calm.

If a BLACK BEAR attacks you, scream and yell and FIGHT BACK. Don't climb a tree because they are very good at climbing trees (it's what the cubs do instinctively when scared). Many people have thwarted black bear attacks by just fighting back with whatever they've got. If you have a knife, try to cut its nose and eyes.

If a BROWN / GRIZZLY bear charges you, play dead. It's most likely just establishing dominance. It will probably poke at you, and then leave you alone. If it starts attacking you, FIGHT BACK.

If a mountain lion is stalking you, you won't know until it pounces on you from behind. FIGHT BACK. Most people are able to scare away mountain lions with some effort. If it confronts you, act like a threat - bang sticks, yell, try to make it scared. The chances of you actually seeing a mountain lion are very slim though... they're very secretive. Also keep children close to you, and if you see a cougar, pick up your kids.

Coyotes won't bother you unless they've overcome their natural fear of humans. They're just like dogs though, and the almost always hunt in solitude (not in packs like wolves). You'll probably never have a confrontation with one, but if you do just kick it and it will run away whimpering.

Answer 2

Well, if the animal already thinks you will be good to eat, then I suggest fighting it when it attacks with everything you have. Spear, knife, gun etc. If you dont, they will find little tiny pieces on you in the animals scat. They might find some larger pieces of you depending on the animal. A cougar or mountain cat will eat some of you, cover you with brush and leaves and come back later for more. Unfortunately, most areas where you can hike with wildlife like this, does not allow you to carry a weapon. Cougars and mountain cats are starting to reclaim their old habitats since they have no natural enemies. Illinois hasn't had any " Catamounts" " Painters' or Cougars for about 100 years. They are now making a comeback and have been sited and found dead in about 20 some places in Illinois along the Mississippi River area. This is where I hunt deer. Also the choice of a nice big cat.

When we play around with the natural environment and we expand our range, these things happen. Go armed as best as you can in a group or dont go.

Answer 3

A mountain lion will attack a large animal, but only if it is hungry. Other times it will walk right by and not bother with it. Mountain lions are nocturnal and usually come out of hiding at sunset to live their night life. They are beautiful creatures to watch in the wild. The top of the food chain. Often they will follow a herd of deer and cull the sick and weak out of the herd for their food. If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run as it will chase you and pounce on you much like you have seen your cats play. You do not want to be its toy. Instead raise your hands high over your head so you look much larger and move ever so slowly towards safety without turning your back to it.

Answer 4

It depends on the animal. Black bears are usually easily frightened, so stand tall, raise your hands, and make loud noises to scare it away. If it attacks, get into the fetal position and protect your head. And if you see a cub, leave the area, because momma will tear you a new one. Mountain lions are harder, because they will attack you before you know it's there, but their attacks are rare. Again, get into fetal position and protect your head. Coyotes and mountain lions probably won't attack groups of people, so take friends. Snakes are a little different. They attack because they are scared. If you hear or see a snake, back away slowly and calmly. Usually, you will see a lot of snake poop (it looks like bird poop, but longer and flatter) if there is a big snake pit in the immediate area. Leave that area alone. And if you do get bit, stay calm and get to a hospital. None of the snakes native to the US are so dangerous you need to perform "movie" first aid in the field.

Answer 5

Running from a hunting animal is a bad idea. Bears, Cougars, coyotes, will by their nature hunt you down. Black bears and mountain lions are the most dangerous. Being in a crowd helps. OC Pepper spray is a good choice. If legal a handgun is better and a long gun (rifle/shotgun) is best when properly loaded. Hiking staves made from sout materials is not only good for your back and knees, but serve to protect as well, esp. snakes. (I generally do not kill a snake on the trail, I will use the stick to move them off the trail). People while you are our hiking are a bigger threat than any animal however. Plan for trouble, but hope for a good time!

Answer 6

Go for the eyes and nose. Those are the vulnerable spots on any animal, full of nerves to get it's attention.

You can't outrun things, don't even try. Look big and ready for a fight. Back away facing the animal to take some pressure of confrontation off. Predators want to eat, not fight, and they do not want to be injured (they have awful medical plans and will die soon if injured so that they cannot hunt).

A .44 magnum would do wonders to even the odds, too.

Answer 7

Carnivorous animals are, by necessity, hunters. They are good at running down their prey. If you run, that will trigger an instinct for them to outrun you, and they're faster, so if you run, run faster than your companion.
It seems you have no intention of becoming a real outdoorsman, so your best bet is just to hope for the best and protect your neck if you're attacked by a cat, do the best you can with what's at hand for a bear (consider carrying pepper spray), don't worry about coyotes (the equivalent of a Cocker Spaniel), and just step back from rattlers and let them have their space.

Answer 8

There's an episode of Man vs. Wild on the dicovery channel where Bear Griles is in some part of Africa and he talks about what to do in those type situations with all types of animals. Keep an eye out for it because it comes on quite a bit and it is pretty informative.

Answer 9

Lots of good answers there. Me...I would get a hand gun and learn how to use it. Something like a .380 auto. No one has to know that you have it. Sometimes, on the trail, it's not the "wild" animales that you have to worry about, but mankind himself..if you know what I am talking about. A .380 is not that big...but pump seven of them into an attacker, and they will know it!

Answer 10

don't you dare run from a wild animal! it WILL chase you down! it has to chase its food to survive; trust that it can outrun you.. i was watching this thing and it said that rather than throwing your bookbag to distract an animal like people think, you should keep your backpack on and get into fetal position but your face on the ground... like they used to teach during hurricane/earthquake drills at school and cover your head. even if the animal attacks, your backpack is supposed to lessen the blow.