|
Outdoor Corner: Wolf, coyote, mountain lion, grizzly and black bear attack protection
Gene Plihal
for Smoky River Express
Last week we discussed the case of Taylor Mitchell, fledging artist with much promise who was apparently mauled by coyotes/wolves in the Maritimes. It grabbed the news headlines because indeed it is such a rare situation.
Deaths caused by motor vehicles occur on a colossal scale globally each day. Though each is tragic and sad in its own way, car accidents have been happening and will continue to happen and receive a “ho-hum” reaction from 6 p.m. news watchers sated with gourmet cooking and trying to find something to do or watch before “Hockey Night in Canada”.
What can we do to deter wildlife attacks? Stay the heck out of the wilderness or at least out of harms way if you are really afraid of this happening. As trespassers on nature’s territory, an inherent part of this experience is the possibility that nature may take us out. Accept that fact.
I just finished three miles (4.8 kilometres) of fencing on my grazing lease this summer and fall and can honestly say that in the three months plus that it took me to do the job, I was in the midst of bears, wolves, and ungulates in rut and never suffered an attack from any of them. In fact, I can honestly say that over the past 35 years a good share of my daylight hours were always spent in the outdoors and I have never had more than a few bluff attacks from animals.
So what are the secrets to avoiding unfortunate encounters with wildlife? Here are a few that you can take for what they’re worth.
Make plenty of noise when you are out there. A long time friend of mine, Richard Primeau used to say, “I sing and nothing attacks me.” Indeed, animals that are surprised by quiet intruders are most likely to employ aggressive behaviour. So, carry your music, exercise your lungs, or attach a bell to your backpack.
All through the summer I marvelled while constructing my fencing that I would come across wolf tracks, bear scat, and the occasional very fresh ungulate track, particularly elk tracks, very close to where I was working on my fence lines, sometimes in the brush so thick that it was nearly impassible on foot, and yet I never had one encounter with these animals. The metallic clang of post sledge against steel posts no doubt had a significant impact on these animals perception of me. These animals were there and left their evidence but never chose to approach or accost me.
Besides the noise factor, look out for the scents. I always made certain, this summer and fall, that while outdoors, the lunch and all accompanying smells stayed in the pickup. Food is a magnet for wildlife and carrying on your body is an invitation to disaster, especially in bear country.
Thirdly, protect yourself.
This is probably not going to be with a gun. Greater chance of discharging the firearm on yourself accidentally than having it handy and ready if it were really needed in a wildlife encounter. I always carry a walking stick of sufficient size and clout. As I mentioned in previous articles, it has numerous other uses such as a prop in slippery conditions, a lever, etc., etc., and it won’t accidentally go off. I even used it once on a white tail buck, as I explained in an earlier article, to make myself look taller and more aggressive and it seemed to work.
I am beginning to rethink my attitude towards wildlife aggression. I used to think that there was a much greater chance of getting hurt walking down 99th street or Jasper Avenue in Edmonton than there was in even walking into one of my bear baits, in the dark without a firearm, as I have many times.
Being a strong believer in adaptation and survival, I am beginning to think that wolves, particularly, are changing and that loss of habitat and food supplies is forcing wildlife to make some changes in the way they hunt and eat simply to survive.
And, if this is the case, this change may result in behaviour which makes all of the previous advice dated.
Next week, I’ll discuss knives, probably the only other tool/weapon I always carry for multiple use and protection other than a walking stick. Until next time good hunting, but more importantly, be a good hunter.
< Previous
Home
|
