Lions, Bear and Wolves Oh My!

[Jonathan_S]

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

Much less to worry about. I don't know about nothing though

[hunter399]

You have to worry about this ,lion wolf bear,mix breed eating you while you sleep.

[follow maggie]

I always carry, but a lot more for the two legged trash than anything else.

[buglebrush]

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. 

This is dead on especially in the NE corner.  I've had more hair-raising situations in the last 5 years than all the previous seasons combined.   Last year I had 7 different black bears, a couple of cats, wolves, and a sow Grizzly with two cubs all on a single game camera.  We had wolves howling around us as we boned out my Bull elk.  They followed us off the mountain howling the whole time.  Not a good feeling with a dying headlamp, and 100#'s of fresh meat on your back.     I always pack a pistol right on my Pack belt.  It really is somewhat of a mental thing, but sure helps me enjoy myself more.  All that being said, you will be in far more danger driving down the road to your hunting spot.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I didn't worry much until the last few years.  I don't know that the predator population changed or if I'm just getting older and thinking more about longevity.  I carry bear spray almost all the time and usually have a gun. 

The one time I needed (cougar attack) I had neither. 

[2MANY]

Does the lion, wolf, bear perch on brick walls because of it's eye placement in it's skull??

Can it only look down?

[hunter399]

Are you talking about the pic I put on this topic ,i think that's a bear at the zoo ,that has it's hair shaved to look like a lion.

[dmoua]

Chances are slim being attacked by a cougar or bear in WA, but anything can happen. My dad shot a big female cougar at 10 or less yards that was stalking him. We have been hunting 20+ years in that area. It was the first cougar we have seen or killed. My brother shot a Tom a few hours later as well. 2 cats in one day, who would of thought of it.

[Gringo31]

To the OP,

I wouldn't worry too much about it.  That is different from being (like others have said) aware of your surroundings/environment.  Your odds are much greater of being killed or injured driving to that location than what you do there.  That being said, we all drive and most of us wear seat belts. 

I see some folks so scared that it takes away from them the ability to enjoy their experience.  They get jumpy when a coyote howls and automatically assume that they must have just killed something.  Have a plan, be prepared and have fun 

[kselkhunter]

Bear/pepper spray is my go to weapon for up close encounters, and have it in a holster on my chest at all times ready to depress.  I also pack a sidearm in archery season as backup to the bear spray.  One spot we like to hunt we get regularly stalked by mountain lion.  We backpack up the mountain in the dark to set up backcountry camp as we know the trail well now and in archery season it's much cooler to go in at night instead of heat of the day, and we also hike in/out to our favorite backcountry hunting spots from camp in the dark.  The last handful of years we've had a cat come as close as 10 yards.  Brave little suckers, won't move til you walk up closer to them.  They're mostly curious, have never approached us from closer than 10 yards.  One followed us up the hiking trail last year the entire way in the dark, staying about 30-40 yards back the entire time....kept turning around and lighting up those green eyes to check on him.  Freaked out my hunting partner last year pretty good getting followed for 3.5 miles, but as it's a yearly occurrence now I'm getting used to it (I was freaked the first time it happened too).

Never had any issues with black bear in the backcountry.  They're more afraid of us in my experience.  Every time I see one they run like heck (I don't know maybe I just stink bad).  Have yet to encounter wolves or griz while hunting (only while hiking in Yellowstone).

Carry bear spray, and if archery a backup sidearm, and enjoy nature.   

[WapitiTalk1]

If you come across a big cat in the backcountry, lay behind a log and scratch your finger on said log and say "kitty, kitty, kitty".. when he gets close, bonk him on the head.  For big dogs (wolves), upon seeing them too close for comfort, pick up and throw a stick... when he goes to get it, whistle and call "here boy, here boy".. when he brings it to you and drops it at your feet, bonk him on the head. For bear, unfortunately you have to have a picnic basket in your pack... Set the picnic basket on the ground, hide behind a log, and when Yogi comes up to steal the basket, (yep) bonk him on the head.  Those are simple tried and true methods for dealing with big predators in the backcountry.   

Seriously, as others have said, be aware of your surroundings and you won't have any issues.  Most big cats that come close to humans are oftentimes youngsters (dumb) and just curious.  I do carry a big bore pistol usually in big brown bear country particularly when going back in on a kill.  Just shoot the wolves if you see em close enough; I'm sure they were getting ready to attack  .     

[Gringo31]

If I have a cat following me at 10 yards.  I'm not holding my ________ (whatever you brought for that situation).  I would have no intention of getting used to it as that is not a distance you would have time to do much should they choose to differ from your prior experiences.