Protection knife against wild animals.

[Hammer67]

I would highly recommend a Smatchet. For all large predators. Sometimes, just seeing it hanging from your belt is enough to send that pesky polar bear or water buffalo running for the hills.

 

[ThriftyJoe]

.....

 

[Mastalerz]

Speaking of other predators you might run into, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jor3gWIQTAQ

That bad boy knows he's at the top of the food chain, when bears are not around anyway. Not afraid of you and your stupid human yelling at all. It's a beautiful animal, but damn, the look in those blue eyes. He's not your friendly Fido. All he knows is that he's hungry, and you're in his way..or maybe you're dinner, depending on how things go down. As long as he gets his dinner it's all good. Note that the bear spray sent him packing pretty quick. :thumbup:

Yeah it's funny I didn't even think of wolves, and people are often afraid of bears which are much more passive than a pack of wolves. They are highly aggressive and mean. One difference between wolves and other wild animals as week is that wolves often kill anything they come across and do not necessarily eat it, while other animals kill for food and remain around it protecting their kill until it is spent. Wolves often go in for just kills and may not even eat their kill.

But while there are lone wolves out there, you really don't stand a chance against a pack set on killing you, even with a gun, that being said gun shots may scare them off.

 

[Hammer67]

Anyone know when the last wolf fatality in North America was?

At what point are people being preoccupied with things that have an infinitesimal possibility of happening?

Healthy populations of wolves live right out my back door (and black bears, grizz and cats....), and I run into fresh sign all the time. I've had a wolf run right by me, less than 10ft away, chasing moose. But even where I live, it's pretty unusual to actually see one, and if you do, they're not very interested in having anything to do with you. When I go in the backcountry (which is at least several times a week, year-round), I take bear spray, which if it comes down to it, will do an effective job of deterring any of these species. I don't sit around thinking, "what should I carry for wolves?" or "what should I carry for cats?"

And I always carry a knife. But I don't walk out my door with "which knife should I carry in case I get attacked by a bear or cougar?" being one of my criteria, and I have no illusions about what this will do for me as anything other than a very desperate, last chance, resort.

By all means - be prepared, but temper your preparations with a dose of education and reality.

 

[Woods Walker]

Anyone know when the last wolf fatality in North America was?

At what point are people being preoccupied with things that have an infinitesimal possibility of happening?

Bear or other wild animal attacks make for funnier, more interesting internet chatter. Just a few posts back I fought off a fantasy black bear attack. Bottom line.

Bear attack is interesting:



Disease infested tick attack not so much:



Lyme helped kill my grandfather, infected my sister, little nephew, father, friend's father, friend's wife, ex GF and a few other acquaintances. That is just those I know of within my circle. I am fighting a war against disease infested ticks and losing. For whatever it is worth I killed that tick. What have bears done to me? Nothing worth noting.

 

[Hammer67]

Just a few posts back I fought off a fantasy black bear attack. Bottom line.

Strong work.

 

[Stoney26]

Im unsure of the legalities of owning one under your circumstances, but i believe there are adapters for flare guns that allow a person to fire a .410 shell or .45 acp bullet.

 

[killgar]

...

 

[Hammer67]

You say this but then you go on to explain that you carry bear spray when you go out. Does the fact that you carry bear spray mean that you are "preoccupied" with animal attacks? Why do you bother to carry bear spray if you believe that an animal attack has "an infinitesimal possibility of happening"?

That was specifically in reference to concerns about being attacked by a wolf, which was what the sentence that preceded it was about.

You carry bear spray. And I assume that you did some research when choosing your bear spray to make sure it was a good one. And I assume that you researched if it would work on wolves and cats. So obviously you spend some amount of time thinking about it. So why is it wrong for others to think about the items that they carry?

There's nothing wrong with it (as long as its within the realm of reason), and I've never said it's "wrong" for people to think about the items they carry. Just the opposite, actually. I would encourage everyone to think critically about the items they carry, and have solid reasons for it.

But I haven't seen anyone in this thread who seems "preoccupied" with this topic or who appears to be out of touch with reality.

Serious discussions about "what knife to recommend for bears" are discussions by people who are out of touch with reality in my opinion. Or, more likely, seriously inexperienced, which is also a lack of reality. I fully own that this is a matter of opinion, but you probably aren't going to change my mind on that.

Personally, I've found this thread to be both interesting and educational. People have posted a lot of interesting information about bears. If it hadn't been for the original topic of this thread, I might never have learned such information. Perhaps others have also learned from this discussion. So where's the harm.

I'm honestly glad you feel it's been educational.

 

[killgar]

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[Nixelplix]

All you'd need is one of these. No problem!

 

[mewolf1]

Seems "the Pen is mightier than the sword". Media of all sorts, more so today, have everybody scared to walk out the door without being attacked by one thing or another.
Lack of common sense and ignorance, or acting as if nothing could possibly happen, is the biggest threat.
You'd be a lucky person to see a Wolf in the wild up close, and although bear are encountered far more frequently, very few
attacks occur or it would be on the news every other day.

If it bleeds it leads.

 

[RescueRiley]

I can only speak from my own experience but I find that The wilderness and it;s inhabitants are not specifically out to get anyone... It is just indifferent, (which sometimes can seem just as scary) I've had a close encounter with an aggressive bear. It was a long drawn out ordeal that ended with him ambling off at the sound of a billy can being hit with an axe. before that I never gave much thought to animal aggressors. after that I did research, I found good bear spray, I carry it with me, and again do not give it much thought.
I am far more afraid of lyme disease, hypo/hyperthemia, waterborne parasites, and people, than I am of any predator I may encounter.
That being said I certainly won;t judge anyone for prioritizing and taking the precautions for whatever it is they think is necessary. I carry a knife and a hatchet for bushcraft purposes. I don;t consider anyone of them as weapons per say, but either one could be pressed in to that role I suppose should a situation demand it, but I don;t think it requires (at least for my own personal experience) a dedicated tool.
Either way best regards to everyone, Great and informative opinions shared by all.

 

[Bufford]

A good fixed blade is about all one needs, could be used as a weapon or be used to make weapons such as a sharpened long stick or club. However, my biggest fears are getting injured, it could be a bad cut, or worse broken bone or leg. There are account of those who had to make splints inorder to get out of the bush with a broken limb, and fixed blade could come in handy. Ticks are one of my biggest fears, I check myself after being out in the bush. Had one on my belly button a few years ago and it left me feeling ill for half a year.

 

[lmalterna]

Most dangerous in the outdoor adventures is our own crap judgement that gets us frozen, drowned or fall over ledges.

I fully prepare myself to use a knife for self defense,,,against dogs. Angry dog is a heck of a lot more likely at any time than a bear.

Hiking I carry a Glock- for two legged miscreants and potential of rabid animals.

Working rugged fencelines- I carry the 870 12 guage police. Just for piece of mind. Bears not really a big concern here in SW Virginia. Maybe acidentally get between mamma and cubs or scare one with its head in a trash can. But not so likely.

The bear spray is more and more an interest to me. More for dogs or arrogant 2000lb Angus Bulls that decide I do not belong. Of course the idea of a half blind scared to death 200lb animal crashing around close to me might be worse than the alternative.
Bill

 

[Hammer67]

When it comes to defense against animals, I don't think that discussing knives (as a last-ditch option) is any less reasonable than discussing guns, ammo, or sprays. The way I see it, if a bear attacks with surprise and is already on a person before they can employ a gun or spray, or if the gun and/or spray prove ineffective, then the knife on ones hip might be the only weapon available. All the more reason to make it a good one.

Well, if we're going to seriously discuss extremely remote possibilities of effective responses to extremely remote possible encounters, then I seriously think we should expand the discussion to include zucchinis. I mean, I found an example on the internet of someone using one effectively to deter a bear, so it is really that unrealistic?

http://www.kpax.com/news/frenchtown-woman-beats-off-bear-with-zucchini/

 

[Bob W]

Seems "the Pen is mightier than the sword". Media of all sorts, more so today, have everybody scared to walk out the door without being attacked by one thing or another.

So true.

It appears that the last time someone was fatally attacked by a wild wolf in the Lower 48 states was in 1922.

I suppose some people wouldn't go outside without meteorite deflectors.

 

[lmalterna]

I read an article not too long ago about an 80+ yr old Russian grandmother killing a wolf that was after her cow with an axe.

I also watched a video of a guide and hunter in tree stands watching a bear at a bait pot. Suddenly a larger bear comes along and goes for the smaller one. UP that tree goes the average sized bear, right beside the hunters. Their bows remained hung and bear and hunters just held their breath. Bear decided to find another tree.

Stuff does happen but decideing what is most likely to happen and dealing with that gets me through most days. I have to hope intelligence and improvisation will get me through those chance encounters.

 

[killgar]

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[Hammer67]

I find it strange that you take such a mocking attitude towards the subject of defending oneself against animal attacks, yet you say that you carry bear spray.

With all due respect, if you find it "strange," then I think that's because you continue to miss the point that I, and several others, are trying to make about being realistic in what you prepare for, based on what is actually likely to happen. I am prepared for what is likely to happen when I go in the backcountry, which, given where I live, includes carrying bear spray, because bumping into bears is not uncommon where I live. This doesn't involve seriously considering what sort of knife I should take with me in case I get attacked my a mtn. lion. You are far more likely to be hit by a car than attacked by a wolf - do you always wear a helmet and padding to prepare yourself for this much more likely possibility? If not, why not? I won't belabor it beyond that.

As I've said many times in this thread, I completely agree that the chances of being attacked by an animal is very unlikely. And I have also said that I wouldn't wager on a persons success with a knife if they had a bear on top of them.

Then I guess we're in agreement?

But that doesn't mean that such topics can't be discussed by adults in a respectful manner. That's the way I see it anyways.

Nor does it mean that "adults" have to take every topic so seriously, either. It's an internet chat board after all, where people are actually asking questions like "how long does my knife have to be to reach a bear's vitals?" Take it seriously at your own risk...