Lions, Bear and Wolves Oh My!

[Cab]

So I had a question for all the backcountry hunters on here. Do you ever worry about lions, bears or wolves while either hunting or camping(if so any tips)? I dont have a lot of experience camping or hunting TRUE backcountry(mostly hunted off public logging roads back on the east coast) and wanted to hear from experienced WA hunters. Thanks and happy Fri to everyone

[Boss .300 winmag]

It's terrifying out there with all those preditors in the woods. 

Key word in your sentence, hunting, you have a weapon with you, if archery carry a sidearm. Keep a clean camp, i.e. food up high etc.

Bears may come by for a sniff while your sleeping, cats really don't want to be around you, wolves don't like humans either, so in camp I wouldn't worry about them. But out and about in wolf country keep good situational awareness you'll be fine. 

[Cab]

Thanks for the feedback Boss, I was more worried about camping then anything and I think you covered that really well.

[bearpaw]

In the first 50 years of my life I did not worry about predators and rarely carried a gun when guiding hunters or when hiking alone on the mountain. But the predator footprint is increasing every year now, this state does not manage most big predators and welcomes increasing numbers of large predators with open arms, all these big predators need more and more food. In the past I have told people that most animals are afraid of humans but I no longer feel that way. In the last several years members on this forum have been stalked by wolves, my son has been stalked by wolves, my neighbor shot a wolf leaping at him in self defense (documented by WDFW), in the last few years we've had hunters stalked at close range by cougars 4 times, and numerous residents where i live shot cougars off their porches this winter.

My advice is to keep a firearm or pepper spray very close at all times (especially in a tent at night) when in areas with large predators. 

[Cougartail]

If you don't "pack" in town it's laughable to pack in the woods. Assessing actual risk to your life is a lost art. A fire extinguisher, CO detector and fewer French fries would up your odds of survival far more.

[carpsniperg2]

Back country or even out the back porch. I always carry I have had a couple times that a handgun has saved me from a poor outcome. It's always better to have it and not need it then need it and wish you had it. The weight of a handgun isn't going to break most hunters. I have never had first hand with cougars and wolves. I have been into it with bears and boars. I know there is a couple guys on here that have been mauled by bears and had to fire shots to keep from a aggressive bear getting to them.

[hunter_sean08]

I'd just say be aware of your surroundings. I'm always a little wary if it's the first time I've been in the woods in a while. I think in most areas, the predators are more scared of you. Things are of course changing in certain parts of WA where wolves are starting to populate, but carrying a gun with you should definitely ease your mind to a point. Perhaps the most dangerous situation you could get yourself into is if you bump into Mama Bear and her cubs, and that's going to be pretty darn rare (never impossible though). A close second would be surprising a predator in close quarters, where they feel the need to defend themselves. I will say that the few black bears I've been within 100 yards of immediately took off in the opposite direction once they saw me.

Cats are very elusive and really don't want anything to do with you unless they're desperately hungry (usually when they're really young or over the hill). Regardless, I find myself checking my back from time to time because I know they are around. I'm probably over cautious, but oh well. With that said, the only cougar I ever saw was crossing the road in front of me hundreds of miles from my deer hunting spot. My Dad has been hunting for nearly 40 years and still has yet to see one. He's put a lot of miles on his boots during that time.

I have no advice for wolves other than be prepared if you're hunting in their country. I did find myself in the middle of a pack of coyotes on a kill site once while I was elk hunting. They were not pleased I was there to say the least. I slowly backed away, which was good enough for them. Had they been wolves, who knows what may have transpired...

Long story short, you'll probably have an encounter with a predator at some point, the end result being them high-tailing it to the next county. Encounters should never discourage you from getting out in the woods, but be prepared to defend yourself if it ever gets to that point. One more suggestion for you, try to avoid reading the "Bear Attack!" books (I made that up but you get the point). Better yet, don't let your kids read them either. I read a bunch of those when I was a kid and it resulted in me being a nervous wreck in the woods for my first few hunts.

[Shawn Ryan]

My experience may be different from others. I've been 4 yards from sow and cub black bear, 7 yards from a cougar eating a porcupine, and 15 yards from a wolf. I didn't intend any of those, had no gun, and wouldn't change those situations. I still don't carry while archery hunting. That doesn't mean someone who counsels you to carry is wrong.

[Bob33]

I believe the risk of being attacked by a cougar or black bear in Washington is small. I personally don't worry about it but there is no harm in carrying a weapon or bear spray.

[carpsniperg2]

For sure it's a small chance. Sadly it does happen. My dad went to school with a girl who's sister was killed and partially eaten by a black bear here in Washington.

[10thmountainarcher]

"I would rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it" a sentence I live by. Just like the victims of crime, no one sets out with the intention to be victimized, it just happens. Why not be prepared at all times for most any situation?

[Reidus]

I figured the chances of having a run in with a cat/bear/wolf was pretty slim until i got up from a short nap in the woods and was looking a big kitty in the eye at 20ft. Makes a guy a little nervous after that. Wonder how much they're around and you never see them?

[zwickeyman]

Along the lines of
" I would rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it "

Another saying I live in the back country

" Prepare for the worst and hope for the best "

I never used to carry in the woods whether hiking or bow hunting but I always carry now whether in the back country or in the city

[pianoman9701]

There are two-legged threats in the woods, too. Those are mostly the ones for which I'm armed. Never had any problem with the 4-legged ones. Illegal grows, transients, crazy people. A relative of mine knows a family who's daughter was axed to death in CO on a back country camping trip.

[Alpine Mojo]

Leave a clean camp and a dead fire and you have nothing to worry about.