Dangerous animals

Wilderness Camping

There is something to be said for roughing it. When you conspire to live in nature you will find yourself living with nature and appreciating it.     

Wilderness camping differs from what the connation of "going camping" tends to drum up these day. Most camping today is done in campgrounds and with most of the comforts of home. Not so in wilderness camping.

What to look for	Comment
Level Ground free of rocks and roots	So you don't roll down a hill.
Away from  danger of rockfall.	See Canyoneering
Higher ground	Rain run off and flash floods
Danger of deadfall	You don't want a dead tree falling on you
Exposure to high winds	You still want to be there in the morning
Source of water	Get some of that trail funk off you.
Source of materials	Fire wood or shelter construction materials
Pest infestations	Avoid ants and areas conducive to rats or snakes
Animal Danger	Avoid  being in the path to a city dump
An overall nice place	You want to enjoy this experience

How about wind, you may want to face any shelter you create to have the opening facing away from the prevailing winds. This is for a couple of reasons: One is an opening will fill with wind like a parachute and may tear the shelter apart, secondly it will be much more comfortable as one of the reasons for a shelter is to keep the wind off of you.

When making a shelter in frigid climates in the Northern Hemisphere have the opening to the South if possible. This will help to collect solar energy and  this should make for better conditions. 

       Shelters         

Because of the great number of possible shelters  we have devoted a section to them. When you are finished  there close out the page and you should return to this page.

Bears and other dangerous animals

When you are in the wild you may unintentionally attract unwanted dangerous animals. They are commonly drawn in by the smell of food. This can be when you are preparing (dressing) the game you caught, when you are cooking it and where you are storing it. Bears will eat anything we will and then some so just because you may not have meat, don't think that you can disregard this section. We imagine the same must apply to predatory animals of other distant  places such as Africa and Asia etc. and would appreciate any input from anyone able to elaborate on dangerous animals..

While preparing meat be extremely alert as the smell blood indicates a fresh kill and most carnivores are not above trying to steal someone else's kill, even from a human. Clean you fish or dress down a carcass some where out in the open where you can see around you. If you have not seen the rushing charge of a bear you may not be able to comprehend just how fast one of the huge creatures can move. They can literally out run a horse for a short distance.

Cooking is usually a light hearted and happy time as you are looking forward to a meal. You know how good cooking can smell when you are hungry, right? Well it effect animals in the same way. Don't let you guard down even if you haven't seen bear sign, they can pick up the scent from a tremendous distance away. If you are a group then express your concerns to the other just tell them that you have it on good authority, and ask them help keep out a watchful eye. 

Storing your food should de done downwind and away from camp. Put the food in an as airtight  container as you can muster (Ziploc) and put it in a bag or backpack. Tie the bag to a rope and and toss the other end over a tree branch about 15 to 20 feet off the ground. Haul it up to within 3 feet of the branch and the tie off the other end.  The 3 feet will prevent raccoons from tearing it up. When retrieving your supplies, approach it with caution. There may be an awfully frustrated predator in the area.

Clothing that has had blood of fish scent on it, is also an attractant. The same applies to the material used in waterproofing or your hiking boots that utilize rendered fats, (either a homebrew or those products sold under the common names of "dubbin, Bears fat, Mink oil). Such clothing should be treated the same as the storage of food as mentioned above. You may want to have a pair of moccasins or flip flops handy to protect you feet. 

Editors note: 
I personally have had several encounters with bears and even mountain lions and  a wolverine. They are awesome animals and must be treated with the utmost caution. 
I am sorry but there is no one surefire way to prevent a bear attack. Park rangers advise throwing rocks "near them" to discourage them from coming closer and "at them" if they exhibit aggression and pepper spray if they attack.
 I can't vouch for that as I saw a grizzly that received a fatal shot with a 30.06, , tear up the ground as his claws dug in for traction, travel 100 yard toward the shooter in about 6 seconds. He wasn't even aware of the hunters until he had been shot, and was still able to nearly get them before the bullet took effect.
Secondly the pepper spray would maybe do some good if you could get the bear to co-operate while aimed and sprayed, but they move so fast and with such force that they can swipe your head off your shoulders with a blow from their paws, faster than you can repent. This is not just a rural myth, as we met a man on the McCloud River in Canada, and the very next morning as we were breaking camp he was searching for his fishing buddy who unknown to him had lost his head over a basket of trout. So I don't know exactly what to tell you but be alert and sensible.

Be cautious when in the wilds as (click) Ticks and Chiggers can pose a serious problem.

Not everyone who goes camping wants to rough it and wilderness camping may not appeal to them. In this situation there are many options. RVs both as a motor home or a travel trailer offer many comforts of home. These can still be parked in wilderness locations and rely on the built in amenities to be self sufficient. Generators, AC, full kitchens, and comfortable beds make coming back from a rigorous day of hiking, fishing, cycling or hunting a real pleasure. 

We have an intense tutorial in our Survival trips section on "How to Make A Fire". It is worthwhile reading as it may save your life and if nothing else it is fun trying to emulate what is taught in this section.

Click here to make wut2c.com your homepage 

   Go to top      Build an Itinerary

  About wut2.com       Advertise with us        Link to Us        Contact us     Report Errors         Job Opportunities          Legal           Copyright