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Backpacker Magazine – September 2012
Survival: Animal Attacks
Don’t be prey. Learn where you’re likely to encounter North America’s deadliest predators.
Map colors indicate ranges of breeding populations.
Danger Rating*
*Our formula: Prevalence + Aggression + Deadliness + Human Kill Count (on a 1-10 scale) divided by 4 = Danger Rating
Most threatening 6.9
Grizzly bears
Weight 300-1,500 lbs.
Bite force 1,200 lbs.
Claw length >3 inches
>> Up to seventy percent of fatal attacks are by mothers defending cubs, which start exploring in March and early April. Never get between a sow and her litter, and if you see small bears, retreat quietly and immediately.
Weight 300-1,500 lbs.
Bite force 1,200 lbs.
Claw length >3 inches
>> Up to seventy percent of fatal attacks are by mothers defending cubs, which start exploring in March and early April. Never get between a sow and her litter, and if you see small bears, retreat quietly and immediately.
6.5
Black bears
Weight 125-500 lbs.
Bite force 700 lbs.
Running speed >30 mph
>> Attacks are up: Of fatal encounters since 1900, 80 percent happened in the last 50 years. Lone males on the hunt are the biggest offenders; if a black bear follows you, hike toward safety. If it attacks, fight back.
Weight 125-500 lbs.
Bite force 700 lbs.
Running speed >30 mph
>> Attacks are up: Of fatal encounters since 1900, 80 percent happened in the last 50 years. Lone males on the hunt are the biggest offenders; if a black bear follows you, hike toward safety. If it attacks, fight back.
3.4
Cougars
Weight 75-165 lbs.
Bite force 750 lbs.
Bounding distance 30 feet
>> These opportunistic cats have 46 recorded kills and are adept at detecting vulnerability. Keep kids close, avoid hiking solo in cougar hot spots, and don’t run if you bump into one, especially in terrain where you may trip.
Weight 75-165 lbs.
Bite force 750 lbs.
Bounding distance 30 feet
>> These opportunistic cats have 46 recorded kills and are adept at detecting vulnerability. Keep kids close, avoid hiking solo in cougar hot spots, and don’t run if you bump into one, especially in terrain where you may trip.
3.1
Alligators
Weight 700-1,000 lbs.
Bite force 2,900 lbs.
Strike range 5 to 10 feet
>> Kids, people crouched near shore, and swimmers are at greatest risk. Gators can stay submerged for up to two hours and may swim within shoreline striking distance undetected (under murky water or through grasses).
Weight 700-1,000 lbs.
Bite force 2,900 lbs.
Strike range 5 to 10 feet
>> Kids, people crouched near shore, and swimmers are at greatest risk. Gators can stay submerged for up to two hours and may swim within shoreline striking distance undetected (under murky water or through grasses).
Least threatening 1.5
Wolves
Weight 60-115 lbs.
Bite force 1,500 lbs.
Fang length 2.5 inches
>> Unprovoked attacks are on the rise, and both fatal North American encounters occurred after 2005. Wolves stalk in packs–they don’t ambush. You may be outnumbered, but it’s likely you’ll see (and can fight off) attackers.
Weight 60-115 lbs.
Bite force 1,500 lbs.
Fang length 2.5 inches
>> Unprovoked attacks are on the rise, and both fatal North American encounters occurred after 2005. Wolves stalk in packs–they don’t ambush. You may be outnumbered, but it’s likely you’ll see (and can fight off) attackers.
Predator Epicenter
Yellowstone
Home to more than 600 grizzlies, 500-plus black bears, 20 cougars, and 100 wolves, Yellowstone is in one of the country’s most predator-dense regions. Two fatal maulings last summer were the park’s first grizzly-caused deaths in 25 years, and park officials say neither victim followed standard safety protocol. One was hiking alone, and the other ran when confronted. Get bear smarts at backpacker.com/bearsafe.
1.) Overcrowded habitat is pushing cougars east; there are confirmed sightings every year in New England. But there’s never been an attack in the Northeast, and no breeding populations exist there (yet).
2.) Garbage and food are factors in 40 percent of black bear attacks. Keep a clean camp; there are as many as two bruins per square mile in the Smokies.
3.) Stay on high alert near murky waters in spring, when gators roam new territory in search of mates. Three of the 22 gator-caused fatalities in Florida occurred in one week in May 2006.
4.) Alaska’s coastal bears bulk up to 1,500 lbs. because of fish-heavy diets. Anglers: If you hook a fish and see a bear, cut the line to avoid attracting its attention.
5.) Make noise when traveling in predator territory. Wolves typically retreat rather than attack in defense. The only fatal U.S. wolf attack occurred after a lone jogger in Alaska surprised a pack at close range.
Survive an Encounter
>> Avoid Make noise in low-visibility areas and hike in groups. Stay away from carcasses, and keep camp food-scrap-free. Hiking in gator country? Stay 10 to 15 feet from shore.
>> Evade The only predator on this list you might outrun is the alligator. If you encounter a bear, mountain lion, or wolf, don’t run. Back away slowly and prep your bear spray. You can use it to deter an attack from any predator.
>> Survive Only play dead if a grizzly’s attacking. For any other predator, fight back–hit the eyes and face–like your life depends on it. It does.
Wily Coyote These canids can also kill. They’re most aggressive in January and February (mating season). Yell and throw stones to scare them.
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I have seen black bear in eastern Indiana and Mountain lions have been hit by cars in southern Indiana.
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I live in eastern Ky. and there is a breeding population of cougars here. People see them all the time!! I have seen them several times..when will the so called experts wake up and realize that the cougar population has spread to the east!!
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Black Bears are like big dumb dogs - throe a rocks at them a yell. They 9 times out of 10 run away. Seriously ...big dumb dogs.
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Throw rocks? I'm thiking a 12 gauge shotgun with a combination of double-O buckshot and slugs would be a good thing to be carying for most of these encounters, four-legged or two-legged. Why be a caveman and resort to sticks and stones? Get some modern advantage with a firearm and engage the threat at a range that gives you some options to manuver, fight, or escape.
I believe the brown indicates the presence of both the Wolf as well as the Black Bear.As a former resident of Northern Minnesota I know they are both seen frequently in the state not to mention the Cougar's which have been a problem for Farmers with live stock and hoarses.
You forgot the most dangerous of all species: HUMANS! The teenage and younger males in particular need to be watched. Not only will they attack you, but some are so violent and without fear, they will kill themselves!
The south is more violent than the north and the more urban areas tend to have more of them and more incidents then the country. But country humans can be very dangerous too.
You forgot the most dangerous of all species: HUMANS! The teenage and younger males in particular need to be watched. Not only will they attack you, but some are so violent and without fear, they will kill themselves!
The south is more violent than the north and the more urban areas tend to have more of them and more incidents then the country. But country humans can be very dangerous too.
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To Hugh. This is a predators map not a dangerous animal map. Rattlesnakes don't seek people out for attack. They are stumbled upon nd attack out of defense.
I live in Florida, north of Tampa next the Weei wachee Preserve, we have puma, and black bear here also, and your ONLY showing it in the Everglades area. Alot of people come here to hike the trails, and according to your map, your not keeping them informed.
I like the map but can anyone explain the brown? I feel like it's obvious but can't figure it out. And I too found it strange not to see rattlesnakes on the list.
Posted: Oct 06, 2012 Ryan
Wolf AND Black bear together
The area on your map showing Black Bears in CT is too small. They cover a much larger portion of the state, probably the whole state.
I don't get what the brown is supposed to be either!
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