Stay Safe: Advice for Wildlife Encounters

Even in suburbia, you've likely encountered some rodents, raccoons, or feral cats, but when you head into the great outdoors, those animal encounters can be much larger and much more dangerous if you're being reckless. Most animals will keep to themselves unless they're provoked or feel attacked (we've all rolled our eyes watching tourist videos), and if running into wildlife is what's keeping you from getting outside, here are some facts to put your mind at ease: 

• Since 1868, there have been 29 cases of fatal mountain lion attacks in the USA.
• According to a 2023 study, the chances of a visitor being attacked by a Grizzly Bear at Yellowstone were about 1 in 2.7M. 
• You're more likely to get struck by lightning than attacked by a bear.
• Colorado Parks Wildlife (CPW) reported 18 moose attacks in the state between 2020 and 2024. 

These numbers have increased due to the increase in people getting into camping since the pandemic. If you want expert advice on what to do or how to educate someone on what to do when encountering certain wildlife, here's what we've found from wildlife experts when you run into these animals, whether face to face or from a distance. 

• Bears
• Most bears will avoid you if they hear you, but you're likely to one into one in areas where there's a good food source for the bears. 
• If you encounter one, stay calm and let the bear know you're there. Bears don't want to attack you and may try to look threatening to get you away. 
• Don't scream. Talk to the bear in a low voice. If you have kids, pick them up, and don't let them scream. 
• Don't run or make any sudden movement. 
• Make yourself as large as possible. Wave your arms and tell the bear to back away. 
• Move sideways so you can keep an eye on the bear. If you can't leave, wait for the bear to leave. 
• If a bear attacks you: 
• Black bears - DO NOT PLAY DEAD! Try to get into a car or building. If the bear attacks, focus on hitting and kicking it in the face. 
• Grizzly/Brown bears - Keep your pack on AND PLAY DEAD! Lay on your stomach, put your hands behind your head, spread your legs out (so the bear can't turn you over as easily), and stay still until the bear leaves. If he doesn't, fight back! Use whatever you have to hit the bear in the face.

• Moose
• Give the moose space. Don't approach or try to feed a moose.
• Stay calm, don't run away, and talk loudly to make your presence known. 
• If one charges you, hide behind something solid. 
• If one knocks you down, over your head and neck, and lie still till he retreats. 

• Cougar and bobcats
• Show the cougar that you're a human. If you have kids, put them behind you or pick them up. 
• Stop, look big, wave your arms, and shout at the cat to get away. 
• DO NOT RUN! Show the cougar you are a predator and not prey. 
• Back away slowly and never turn your back. 
• If the cougar doesn't scoot, be assertive! Stand on a rock! Open your coat to look larger. Throw what you can at it. 
• If it fights you, stay on your feet and fight back. Cougars are known to back down when their prey fights back. 

• Rattlesnake
• Give the snake at least 5 feet of space. Don't try to pick it up or kill it! (killing them is illegal). 
• Don't throw things at the snake; this might provoke it to move forward.
• Slowly back away and let it leave on its own.  
• If you hear it, try to find where it may be, avoid that area, and warn others about it, too. 
• If you get bit, move away from the snake, call 911, remove jewelry due to swelling, clean the area, keep the bit below your heart, and get to an ER. 

• Bison/Buffalo
• Give that animal at least 25 yards of space.
• If you run into a bison, back away slowly to give it space. 
• If it charges you, try to put something between you and the bison, like a tree or boulder. 

• Coyote
• Coyotes tend to avoid people and run when they see a human, but here's what the experts say if they don't.
• Never run from a Coyote. 
• Be as big as possible, and don't turn your back. 
• Make loud noises, clap, and shout. 
• Throw sticks, rocks, or what you have at it. Do your best to avoid hitting the Coyote. 

• Wolf
• Wolf attacks are VERY rare, and they tend to avoid people. 
• Don't run away from a wolf; stay calm. Slowly back away and continue to make eye contact. 
• Make yourself look larger. Puff your jacket out, lift your arms, and stand on something. 
• If the wolf doesn't back down, yell and throw things toward the wolf. 
• If it attacks, fight back with all you've got to show you are too dangerous to attack. 
• More than half the people who have died from wolf attacks died due to rabies. If you get bit, get to a doctor.

There are various types of wildlife that you'll run into in the wild, depending on where you are. Remember to respect their territory- you are in their home, but keep yourself safe! Don't feed wildlife, don't keep food in the tents you're sleeping in, and stay loud so they know you're there.