How do you defend yourself against wildlife when hiking or approaching a climb?

gription wrote:I carry this almost every place I go. City, wilderness, car...The only time I don't carry it is when I know I will be having more than one drink or when I have to carry my rack. The extra weight is just to much at that point. I think I need a sub compact...

Wolves are NOT a threat to people.

Unless you enjoy eating any ungulate on the face of western part of the northern hemisphere. Carry a gun and blast every one of those worthless sons a bitches. Bear spray and guns are the only logical defense in any of these instances besides most predators have hides that make a great rug for the floor or the back of your couch.

Raccoon and Marmot -- the scurge of the animal kingdom. There are no innocents!!

Buff Johnson wrote:Raccoon and Marmot -- the scurge of the animal kingdom. There are no innocents!!

^this is how it all starts...

Plus one on the Moose! Many years ago in Sinks Canyon, I I encountered a cow moose who challenged me on the trail. She started coming for me and I turned and sprinted away. Scared the crap out of me. I had no idea. I have heard the Bull Moose is considered the most dangerous animal in Alaska.
As to defense, I guess the big can of bear spray is most practical in that you have no legality issues, with different states etc. And is very socially acceptable.
I do shoot, 1911 .45acp, and agree you need to be practiced with your weapon to use it effectively. Having it with you is a whole new level of challenges.

Did anyone hear about that woman, a Canadian Folk singer killed by coyotes in Cape Breton, NS?
She was a small woman. Bad things happen, perhaps spray or more likely a gun would have saved her:
cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-sco…

I grew up in a swamp in North Carolina and see no threat from snakes. I usually try to get closer for a better look!

Any women reading this thread? What are your thoughts on personal protection in the back country, mainly from human threats?

I was sport cloning in the Idaho Tetons and apparently there was an eagles nest on the top of the route I was climbing. Eagle swooped in at me and scared me to death! It's a pretty cool story though so it was worth it.
Whoever wrote don't be an elk is hilarious!

After encountering a momma moose with her baby blocking the other side of a bridge hiking back from Lone Eagle Peak, I approached the moose to see if I could get its attention. Yep, easily done. Still on the bridge with my huge pack, I then got the hell back to the other side. This mild annoying of the moose convinced it to eventually vamoose, and so we were able to continue. The important thing is to have a bridge you can get back across to escape. Also, only mildly annoy the moose. Do not start reciting your latest rap hit.

Stich wrote: The important thing is to have a bridge you can get back across to escape.