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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Wolves are strong and smart, with powerful jaws and a killer instinct. By not talking about how lucky any person would be to encounter one of these amazing, yet elusive animals is just perpetuating the unreasonable fears that too many people have for this important wildlife. Wolves are like dogs, usually when a dog attacks it's been startled or is just trying to protect its pups. This will not stop a wolf from killing you. Will colorful things attract or scare wolves? If you do encounter a wild animal, here’s what Long said you should consider doing: Be a noisy hiker. Aggressively use poles, pepper spray, rocks, limbs, noisemakers or other handy items to discourage wolves. Don't turn your back on the wolves. Wolves have evolved to chase fleeing prey, so running away will activate their natural hunting instinct. Be Big. The best thing to do is to know the facts and how to react when you do happen upon them. Throwing rocks or other nearby objects might demonstrate that youâre not easy prey, and the wolves will most likely move on. Why do I have to keep eye contact at all times? If you see the wolf before it sees you, walk away silently. Last Updated: November 23, 2020 With prey that … If they continue to appear aggressive and begin to approach, the next step is to show the alpha wolf that you are not some defenseless ungulate: You mean business. Observe the wolves carefully while you back up. Playing dead does not work. All rights reserved. Whatever you do, do not run away from it, since it will run after you and attack you. You aren't making them targeted more, the wolves see them as easier prey. If this does not work, throw rocks or sticks at the animal. Try to stand with your back against a tree or rock, and use sticks, bear spray, or anything else to stop the attack. Children are the most likely to be targeted, as they are the smallest and the weakest. per square inch. Dave, could not agree with you more. If you're walking and come upon a sleeping wolf, go back away slowly and quietly. When encountering wolves in the wild, itâs very important to remain calm and stand tall while maintaining eye contact. You may not see a bear during your visit because bears naturally avoid people. Don't show fear. Challenge and slowly back away. If a wolf is particularly hungry, it may try to attack again. Wolves have a natural fear of humans. If you are in a developed area (e.g., campground, parking lot, lodging area) or if a bear approaches you, act immediately to scare it away: make as much noise as possible by yelling very loudly (don't worry about waking people up if it's nighttime). Running from a wolf is not a smart idea either, as this may indicate to the wolf that you are prey to be chased. Remember: where there's one wolf, there are likely more wolves around. On Vancouver Island, wolves are an uncommon sighting and are unlikely to be anywhere near where humans exist. Your email address will not be published. A 3-eyed wolf suggests you to see and understand the reality rather than staying in denial mode. Officials say Berner, a special education teacher who moved to Alaska last summer, was set on by at least two wolves while out for a late-afternoon jog on a road outside Chignik Lake, a fishing village on the Alaska Peninsula, about 475 miles southwest of Anchorage.”, http://www.nbcnews.com/id/35913715/ns/us_news-life/t/fatal-wolf-attack-unnerves-alaska-village/ Wolves, like many predators value their health over a potential meal. In the “stay or go, fast or slow” realm, this would be a go, slow. If possible, research wolves before heading out into wolf-populated area. Fast talker & adventure Mom, Fran Capo asks expert, Alex Spitzer, the top educator at the Wolf Conservation Center what to do if you spot a wolf in the wild. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Wolf packs are usually no larger than six, but may occasionally include up to thirty wolves in select few places, like Yellowstone. You need to keep your head and slowly move away from the animal without looking away. You may consider joining the pack my friend! Do not leave children unsupervised when hiking, camping, or otherwise moving through wolf territory. In most cases, an attacking wolf will only leave if you intimidate it and present a bigger threat than it is willing to chance. If you notice this behavior, begin to slowly back away â but do not turn your back â and donât run. Keep dogs close or leashed A big variable in a wolf encounter is the presence of a dog. If you are attacked by a wolf, do not run away. Pay close attention to what your instincts tell you. Whatever you do... don't run! Remain calm and seek shelter as soon as possible. If you do see a bear, what you should do depends on the situation. Get to a safe place as soon as you can. According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, there were about 153 wild gray wolves in Montana (at last count, in 2004). Emergency situation: Youâve just set up camp and started a fire in Montanaâs Glacier National Park. % of people told us that this article helped them. Observe the wolves carefully while you back up. Glue boards are available at farm supply stores. The more common kind of negative interaction we typically see between humans and wolves tends to result from people feeding wolves or wolf pups – something that should never be done with any wild animal. It's a good idea to scare it away so the wolf doesn't get in trouble in the city. If you find yourself unexpectedly faced with a wolf, your first priority is … They usually do not show aggression toward people, but it never hurts to be prepared for the worst when you find yourself in wolf territory. https://restlessbackpacker.com/how-to-survive-a-wolf-attack That said, like most large predators, when their food supply runs low, wolves may attack any potential food source, including people. Only fight the wolf off as a last resort after it has attacked you. If you dream of a Lone Wolf, you may need to spend some time on your own contemplating the path that is best for you, it may be … They penetrate the interior of the herd to get to the weaker oxen within. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), http://www.nbcnews.com/id/35913715/ns/us_news-life/t/fatal-wolf-attack-unnerves-alaska-village/. The animal that Josh should have written about is the Mountain Lion. If you see a wolf in your neighborhood in the winter/spring months it is likely it is a young wolf that has recently dispersed from its pack and doesn't know about humans yet. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Keep your eye on the wolf, but remember to NEVER look it straight in the eye! Visit joshuapiven.com. If you do find a coyote on your property and want it removed, you need to call in the professionals. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. That is what you do, protect them. This might give you more time to get to safety. Make yourself look larger and more intimidating by spreading your arms, flapping your jacket, and holding things in your hands. If you have a dog, the best way to ensure its safety is to keep it on a leash. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Avoid areas where wolves have been seen. If the infestation is serious, contact a pest control professional for the best possible treatment. Although a wolf encounter is rare, it never hurts to be prepared. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. However, this is even more rare than suggested and not “when their food supply runs low” as suggested. On second thought, you realize youâve never heard the wind howl and growl. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Wolves are highly protective of their young, and they don't appreciate strangers touching their cubs (or may abandon the pups). I am not suggesting it is not a concern, but you do not need life flight helicopter service for the possible exposure to rabies. What should you do? Magazine, Outdoors, Survive This! Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Using an air horn could disorient a wolf or hurt its ears. Farley Mowat’s book “Never Cry Wolf” explains why we have a fear of wolves, and you are absolutely right. Carry deterrents. If you encounter a wolf or pack of wolves at close range do not run or turn away. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Avoiding triggering an attack. Wolves will stalk you. If you encounter wolf pups, avoid them! They get up on verandas and observe you through the windows of your house. Avoid being seen. As soon as the attack stops, get to safety by climbing a tree or hiding inside a building, since it’s possible the wolf could attack again. Wolves dislike fire and smoke because it appears dangerous to them. However human encroachment on wildlife areas and reintroduction programs in North America are forcing more human-wolf encounters. Don't treat the wolf as if it were a domestic canine. Because if you try to turn around to get a weapon or something the wolf could sneak up on you and attack. Wolves. In the rare instances that wolves have attacked humans, it has been the result of dog owners attempting to separate a wolf and a pet. Wolves are used to prey showing signs of fear, and they will see a potential meal out of you. Be as intimidating as possible. When Wolf appears in your life, it may be time to take a close look at a person or situation who may be a “Wolf in sheep’s clothing.”. Signs that a wolf might be about to attack include baring teeth, growling, barking, howling and raising its hackles â in general, behavior that might be exhibited by an angry dog. Jack London later used these Russian folktales as basis for some of his Klondike stories. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 378,205 times. If you live in an urban area, do not let your small animals out at night without being kept near you. Why would you make children and injured people targeted more? Never approach the wolf as it may attack/bite you. There are no documented wolf attacks against humans in North America. If I have a knife to defend myself and stab the wolf will it turn more aggressive or will it retreat? One additional note of caution: Wolves might carry rabies, so even a brief encounter with a wolf that involves only a minor scratch or bite should be considered a medical emergency. They watch the herd from a distance, waiting for the flanks to open up when one of the adult oxen is distracted. Solution:Â First of all, a wolf encounter is extremely rare. Eight ways to make your resolutions stick in the New Year, Winter camping tips and tricks to help you enjoy the fourth season. Wolves. If a wolf does not walk away from your group, scare it away by shouting and waving your arms. Make yourself appear scary: shout, throw stones, raise your arms over your head. However, certain areas have had encounters, and there are trails and parks in which you need to be aware of what to do if you run into a wolf, or its pack. Read Farley Mowat’s book “Never Cry Wolf”. Do not try to outrun a wolf or a pack. There has never been a recorded wolf attack against humans in North America since they started recording dangerous animal attacks. If the wolves have pups around (which is likely in spring, when wolf pups are born), then the fire may cause them to move to another den site if the breeding female believes that that safety of her pups is being threatened. JOSH PIVEN is co-author of The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series. In any case, always let a ranger know or leave a message at 209/372-0322. It depends on where you stab it. By using our site, you agree to our. Children are vulnerable due to their size and lack of strength.