What Should You Do If You Encounter a Wild Animal On The Trail? Part Two: Wild Canines

What should you do if you encounter a wild animal on the trail? Part two: Wild Canines

Series By: Duke Brady, Survivalist

Duke Brady is back for part two of "What to do if you Encounter a Wild Animal on the Trail" and this time he is talking about wild canines. Duke is an environmental scientist, backcountry guide, and part time TV survival expert. He has trekked and "scienced" from the arctic shores of Alaska to the sweltering jungles of the tropics. He has spent some quality time out in nature, joining the food chain with a bit more zeal than an average day hike.

Canines! Puppies! Doggos!

Every dog you know and love, from Weiner to Weimaraner, descended through and is a relative of our feared and beloved wild wolf. We've gone from Neanderthals, tossing game scraps for the Canis lupus inadvertently protecting us from all the other dangers beyond our campfire light, to inbreeding chihuahuas for an exact fitment into a Louis Vuitton purse. And just how Neanderthal sense and instinct still guide our collective progress or lack thereof, those same Canine beasts of yore continue to roam, relatively unchanged, lurking in the taiga shadows, alpine tundra, and suburban cul de sacs of the new world. Let's talk about being safe around these feral, furry friends of ours we may meet on the trail. Just as I approach a stranger's shiba inu on the street with restraint and muzzled glee, there are some Do's and Dont's you'll want to remember if encountering a wild canine species in its natural habitat.

1. DON'T JUST PREY!

First, as with any large carnivore encounter, avoid doing anything that would cause the animal to think you're its prey. Standing tall, maintaining eye contact, and NEVER running or turning your back will help convince a wild canine that you're not a potential meal. Calmly, slowly backing away is the next step if your floofy friend doesn't make the first move to depart.

2. DO BE WEREAWARE!

Knowing what kind of canine you're dealing with is critical to having the safest outcome in an encounter. Certainly there are innate species differences between the behaviors of wolves, coyotes, and foxes, but what shapes their behavior most in regards to our interactions with them is their immediate habitat. For example, a human-habituated animal may not respond as expected to the deterrence actions listed above. If they've associated humans with any kind of reward or food, they will never forget, and they may be brazen in their approach. Knowing your surroundings and whether the animals there may have regular contact with people is important for interpreting their behavior. For our Ursine friends, we say "A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear", as it's only a matter of time before a humaneducated animal gets itself into too much trouble for this world. So, please don't feed wild animals, leave no trace, and be fastidious about anything you may have that could be considered a reward, such as chap stick, lotion and sani-wipes.

4. SIT-UATIONAL AWARENESS!

Again, awareness is crucial for having the best and safest wild animal encounter in the field. I once opened my tent flap at 3:00 a.m. in the subarctic tundra of Alaska to find a lone wolf 30 feet away, howling and stretching like any dog would. I was not in the least bit concerned for me or my partner's safety, since we hadn't found anything like a fresh kill nearby, a potential denning site, or other signs of heavy usage by wildlife. Looking around and beyond what's in front of you will help determine if you have a threatened, cornered, or defensive animal that requires special treatment.

5. ENGAGE!

As for physically needing to defend against a wild canine attack, the situation is highly unlikely to present itself. But if it ever does, it will be important to fight back. Prior to any contact, if the animal presents aggressive behavior such as holding a high tail, raising its hackles, or barking and howling, one should yell and throw any non-reward items at hand.

IN the case of contact, using your arms and hands to keep the animal away from your face and neck area is critical, so any gloves, jackets or shirts should be worn or wrapped around your arms if possible.

If you hike with dogs, they will likely be the main target of such an encounter. It will be important to either pick up your animal, size allowing, or put yourself physically between your dog and the wildlife. Never attempt to intervene if a physical altercation is already in progress; mace, water, or at most a large stick should be used. And finally, we all love the freedom of a safe leashless moment, but that leash could be your first and best defense against an attack on your beloved fur family.

As always, never let fear or anxiety keep you away from nature. Knowledge is your best defense against any adverse circumstance. Let's get hiking!

That's all for this edition Duke's entertaining and hopefully useful guide to animal encounters. Have fun out there, respect nature, and always remember: situational awareness is your first defense!