What wild animals concern, worry, or even scare you ?

upnorth

upnorth

Joined
Nov 25, 2006
Messages
7,038
When I was on the northern edge of the Boreal I had a medium concern about wolves, primarily because the local community told us to be alert. And a peripheral concern about black bears, which were there but not in numbers. I had zero bad encounters and saw dump bears and wolf tracks. In the Boreal I was ALWAYS alert for bears and yelled out ''hey bear, hey bear'' or somesuch when going into prime spots. Which I did a lot. I bought bear bells but never used them. We even had bears coming into town every year, to be removed and relocated. And the local news had occasional warnings\alerts. South of the Boreal is pretty mild. I see Coyotes often which give me basically the lowest level of concern. Not zero concern because of mange\rabies, but very low. I like to spot\watch them a bit, then go on with my day. What kind of freaked me a bit this year were snakes. I ran into a den area and there were all sizes of Garter snakes everywhere. You don't see them then zip, the bugger shoots past you, startling me many times. They were like every 10-15 feet apart over a moderate to large area. I know that Garters are basically harmless and I used to catch them as a kid, but they still spooked me a few times unexpectedly. That's about it for me although I always give skunks a wide berth if I come across them while night fishing. The little buggers can be rabied up also. My highest ever level of concern was always black bears in the spring and or with cubs. I was on a higher level of attention then and took the danger level quite seriously.
 
water moccasin's are my only real fear when im out and about, they are fairly common here

sends shivers thru me when I see one
23.jpg




well and large spiders for some reason, altho they are harmless they still creep me out
 
The only ones I have been concerned about is snakes in the summer here in Texas and in southern Oklahoma. The water moccasin and copperhead snakes population booms and they get everywhere. I've had them in my tent, sleeping bag, boots in the morning and attack me up out of the creeks.
 
At home, just Coyotes would be the biggest concern, I've heard them, but never seen any. A rabid animal is always something to watch out for.
I used to hike in mountains is the SW, and always watched for little black bears, they always ran when I raised my arms and kinda yelled at them. Once, in the Grand Tetons, I walked up on two moose cows. That's the most scared I've ever been, they were behind a large bush. I was within 10ft, all I saw was a big black animal, till the head turned, that's when I went from startled to scared. Luckily, she just turned and they both walked away.
 
Biggest concern, fear AND worry? Thats easy - Ticks.

Statistically, theres a much greater risk getting bitten by a tick with risk of Lyme's, than seeing a bear or wolf.
 
Here, weavers. More the unknown really. Some things bring me out in an allergic reaction and 'till I get poked by one of those it's an unknown. Either way it's not going to be comfortable and there's not much one can do to swerve them save for staying out of the sea in hot weather. I always have a stove with me for hot water treatment just in case.
 
We have a decent population of eastern diamondbacks in my part of south carolina, but you can typically smell them before you see them. I wear snake boots during early bow season, but i killed one in my backyard this past september that was 7 or so feet long. 13 rattles and his button. I kinda hated to kill such an old and beautiful snake, but i cant have him around my house like that.
 
The only thing that bothers me is the thing I do not discover until I am about to put my foot down on it.

I have encountered all sorts of venomous snakes, wild cats, coyotes, etc. They all intrigue me and I respect/appreciate them all, but they do not scare me if I see them before they are in my personal space;)
 
Vipera ammodytes,or horn nosed viper,found in southern Europe through to the Balkans and parts of the Middle East. It is the most dangerous of the European vipers, long fangs (up to 13 mm) and high venom toxicity,could be found even now,we call it poskok in Dalmatia, in autumn they climbs on trees and “jumps” (not really)from the trees and sometimes falls on you :eek:


poskok.jpg
 
Hobo Spiders,relative of the Brown Recluse.We get them in the house from Sept through Oct,that's when they mate.I squash every one of them I see without remorse.
 
wild dogs. an area i plan on camping was known for packs of dogs. a can of pepper spray designed for bears should work to keep them away

the more i think about this the two legged animals are probably the worst and i don't mean bears
 
Last edited:
Any spider of size, ticks, and rattle snakes are pretty much the only thing I am scared of. I've only encountered a rattle snake once, but I hope it's the last time. I don't know why, they just creep me out.

** Rattle snake isn't a concern where I live now. Just when traveling.
 
Bears (black and Griz) in areas where they are a concern, but around the Northeast US the biggest worry is Deer ticks, because they carry Lyme disease; you have to check yourself every day without fail in the woods and even after a day at the beach. Several of my relatives and friends have gotten Lyme, it's really no fun..
 
mrdavidross321 said:
water moccasin's are my only real fear when im out and about, they are fairly common here

sends shivers thru me when I see one
23.jpg




well and large spiders for some reason, altho they are harmless they still creep me out
Click to expand...

That is one hell of a big spooky snake !
 
PropThePolecat said:
Biggest concern, fear AND worry? Thats easy - Ticks.

Statistically, theres a much greater risk getting bitten by a tick with risk of Lyme's, than seeing a bear or wolf.
Click to expand...

Excellent point, and I hate those buggers. Usualy find 2-3 maybe four on me a year. Early summer around here. The last one was locked on and scared me, I watched for a bullseye rash, thankfully nothing. Once I was driving in the car and saw one slowly crawling across my pant leg. Think I could kill it? Pancake buggers are tough to finnish off on the fly. Another time I felt something crawling across the back of my neck, also while driving. I swat it off and a tick lands on the dash. I really hate them, and or more accurately fear them because of Lyme's.
 
In my general area(central/NorCal), we have coyotes, wild dogs, mountain lions, occasional black bear...etc. I'm much more concerned with what is harder to see ie; ticks/deer ticks, black widows and other venomous spiders and rattlers. Bees can be a concern as well, also wasps, yellow jackets etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top