Bear, Cougar, and Wildlife Attacks: Defense and Survival Strategies

Wildlife attacks are rare, but wilderness travelers must understand animal behavior, prevention strategies, and emergency response. Your actions in an encounter can determine whether you walk away unharmed or become a statistic.

Understanding Predator Psychology

Animals attack for three primary reasons:

1. Defensive: Protecting cubs, food, or territory
2. Predatory: Viewing you as prey
3. Surprise: Startled at close range

Your response must match the attack type.

Bear Encounters and Attacks

Black Bears vs. Grizzly Bears

Identification is CRITICAL—response strategies are opposite:

Black Bears:

• Smaller (150-300 lbs)
• Tall ears, no shoulder hump
• Straight face profile
• Color varies (black, brown, cinnamon)

Grizzly/Brown Bears:

• Massive (300-800 lbs)
• Rounded ears, prominent shoulder hump
• Dished face profile
• Typically brown with grizzled tips

Bear Encounter Protocol

If bear hasn’t seen you:

1. Back away slowly
2. Make wide detour
3. Leave area immediately
4. Never run

If bear sees you but isn’t approaching:

• Stand your ground
• Make yourself appear large
• Talk in calm, firm voice
• Back away slowly
• Avoid direct eye contact

Bear Charging—Species-Specific Response

GRIZZLY BEAR CHARGE:

1. DO NOT RUN (triggers prey drive)
2. Deploy bear spray at 25 feet
3. If contact imminent: PLAY DEAD
   • Drop to ground
   • Lie flat on stomach
   • Clasp hands behind neck
   • Spread legs to prevent being flipped
   • Remain still until bear leaves area
   • Stay down 20+ minutes

BLACK BEAR CHARGE:

1. DO NOT PLAY DEAD
2. Stand your ground
3. Make noise, throw objects
4. If attacked: FIGHT BACK
   • Hit face and muzzle
   • Use any weapon available
   • Never give up—black bears can be deterred

Night/Tent Attacks (ANY bear):

ALWAYS FIGHT—This is predatory behavior

• Fight with maximum aggression
• Target eyes and nose
• Use any weapons available
• Make maximum noise

Mountain Lion (Cougar) Encounters

Critical: Cougars are ambush predators—most victims never see them coming

Prevention:

• Hike in groups
• Keep children between adults
• Make noise in dense cover
• Carry walking stick
• Stay alert at dawn/dusk

If You See a Cougar:

NEVER RUN OR TURN YOUR BACK

1. Make yourself appear large:

   • Raise arms or jacket
   • Stand on rock or log
   • Pick up children immediately

2. Maintain eye contact—Never look away

3. Back away slowly—Face the cat always

4. Be aggressive:

   • Shout loudly
   • Throw stones/branches
   • Show teeth
   • Convince it you’re dangerous

If Attacked:

FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE

• Remain standing if possible
• Protect neck and head
• Hit eyes, nose, and ears
• Use rocks, sticks, knives
• Fight dirty—gouge, bite, kick
• NEVER STOP FIGHTING

Cougars often retreat if prey fights back aggressively.

Wolf Encounters

Wolves rarely attack humans, but habituation increases risk.

Wolf Behavior:

• Usually avoid humans
• Hunt in packs
• Test prey for weakness
• May stalk before attacking

Response Strategy:

1. Stand tall and maintain eye contact
2. Back away slowly
3. Make noise, throw objects
4. If approached: Act aggressively
5. If attacked: Fight back, target alpha
6. Use fire if available

Moose—The Overlooked Danger

Moose injure more people than bears and wolves combined

Warning Signs:

• Ears pinned back
• Hair on hump raised
• Licking lips
• Stomping ground

If Charged:

1. Run! (Unlike bears, you should run from moose)
2. Get behind solid object (tree, rock)
3. If knocked down, curl in ball
4. Don’t move until moose leaves

Wild Boar/Feral Hogs

Increasingly common and extremely dangerous.

If Charged:

• Climb tree if possible (they can’t climb)
• Get behind barriers
• If attacked, protect femoral arteries (tusks slash upward)
• Fight aggressively

Venomous Mammals

Rabies Protocol:

Any mammal bite requires immediate action:

1. Wash wound thoroughly (5+ minutes)
2. Apply povidone-iodine if available
3. Seek medical care immediately
4. Rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear
5. Post-exposure prophylaxis must start quickly

High-risk animals:

• Bats (even without visible bite)
• Raccoons
• Skunks
• Foxes
• Coyotes acting strangely

Bear Spray—Your Best Defense

Effectiveness:

• 92% effective (guns only 67%)
• Creates 25-foot cloud
• Temporarily disables bear
• No permanent harm

Proper Use:

1. Keep immediately accessible (not in pack)
2. Remove safety tab
3. Aim slightly down (spray rises)
4. Deploy at 25 feet
5. Spray 2-3 second burst
6. Create wall between you and bear
7. Back away immediately

Limitations:

• Wind affects accuracy
• Cold reduces range
• Practice with inert canister
• Replace every 4 years

Treating Animal Attack Wounds

Immediate Actions:

1. Control bleeding (direct pressure)
2. Assess for shock
3. Document everything (for rabies protocol)

Wound Care:

Puncture wounds:

• High infection risk
• Irrigate extensively (minimum 500ml)
• Don’t close wound
• Evacuate for antibiotics

Lacerations:

• Control bleeding
• Irrigate thoroughly
• Approximate edges if needed
• Monitor for infection

Crush injuries:

• Immobilize affected area
• Monitor circulation
• Evacuate immediately

Special Considerations:

Scalp wounds: Bleed profusely but rarely fatal
Neck wounds: Protect airway, apply pressure carefully
Abdominal wounds: Cover with moist dressing, evacuate urgently
Eye injuries: Cover both eyes, immediate evacuation

Prevention Strategies

Camp Safety:

• Cook 100 yards from tents
• Bear canisters/rope hangs mandatory
• No food, toiletries in tent
• Change clothes after cooking
• Sleep in different clothes

Hiking Safety:

• Make noise in dense cover
• Carry bear spray always
• Hike in groups
• Keep children close
• Never approach any wildlife

Behavioral Rules:

• Never feed wildlife
• Don’t run from predators (except moose)
• Never get between mother and young
• Respect all warning signs
• Leave if animal changes behavior

Regional Considerations

Grizzly Country:

• Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho
• Western Canada
• Always carry bear spray
• Travel in groups of 4+

Black Bear Territory:

• Throughout North America
• Even populated areas
• Secure all attractants
• Electric fences for camps

Cougar Habitat:

• Western North America
• Expanding eastward
• Florida (panthers)
• Watch children closely

Emergency Evacuation

ALL animal attacks require medical evaluation:

• Rabies assessment
• Infection prevention
• Wound exploration
• Tetanus update
• Psychological support

The Psychology of Survival

Mental Preparation:

• Visualize encounters
• Practice responses
• Stay calm in crisis
• Aggressive mindset when fighting
• Never give up

Post-Attack:

• Expect psychological trauma
• Seek counseling
• Normal to have PTSD
• Recovery takes time

Essential Gear

Always carry:

• Bear spray (2 canisters in grizzly country)
• Whistle
• First aid kit with irrigation supplies
• Emergency communication device
• Knife (last resort defense)

The Reality Check

Statistically, you’re more likely to die driving to the trailhead than from wildlife. But preparation and knowledge transform you from prey to formidable opponent. Respect wildlife, prepare properly, and know that your response in those critical seconds determines the outcome.

Remember: Most animals want to avoid you as much as you want to avoid them. Give them space, respect, and an escape route.