Are people afraid of wildlife?

[Anonymous]

I’m terrified of wildlife (but also of guns.) Hikes make me kind of nervous - I’m scared of bears and snakes and various wild “cats” (cougars and mountain lions.) There are some popular national parks I’m nervous to visit because of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two legged cougars. More enjoyable spearing them.

Yeah, but I'm not afraid of them.
I hunt them myself! Very enjoyable when you bag one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m terrified of wildlife (but also of guns.) Hikes make me kind of nervous - I’m scared of bears and snakes and various wild “cats” (cougars and mountain lions.) There are some popular national parks I’m nervous to visit because of this.

We have visited many parks and camped a lot over the years and tbh I never can sleep very well: there was a bear at Yellowstone at our camp site the night before we were there, we woke up to huge (probably cougar) paw prints in the sand in the dessert behind our tent in Southern Utah... But snakes terrify me the most because they are just randomly just "there": we were touring a campus aa few months ago, not wild, middle of a city and there was one right there by where we took a pic staring at us! So you never know when wildlife can strike.

[Anonymous]

I would be afraid of wildlife in say, Australia or the Amazon rainforest. Not in DC.

[Anonymous]

Alligators

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m terrified of wildlife (but also of guns.) Hikes make me kind of nervous - I’m scared of bears and snakes and various wild “cats” (cougars and mountain lions.) There are some popular national parks I’m nervous to visit because of this.

We have visited many parks and camped a lot over the years and tbh I never can sleep very well: there was a bear at Yellowstone at our camp site the night before we were there, we woke up to huge (probably cougar) paw prints in the sand in the dessert behind our tent in Southern Utah... But snakes terrify me the most because they are just randomly just "there": we were touring a campus aa few months ago, not wild, middle of a city and there was one right there by where we took a pic staring at us! So you never know when wildlife can strike.

The chances of running into a dangerous wild cat are so slim…I agree it’s scary in theory but I’d be honored in a way.

As far as bears - hike with a dog or near where dogs regularly go, and you’ll be fine. A lot of places in our area where there are bears allow dog hunting and so any bear that has lasted know to stay well away from the scent.

Re: snakes - in most of North America, there is very little danger and a pair of pants and being remotely aware when stepping will keep you safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Ticks that spread Lyme or other chronic diseases are an issue in the long grass and undergrowth, and even in people's backyards. Bears are a regular issue in some areas. Some coyotes and bobcats have attacked pets before.

You don't need to "fear" wildlife, but need to understand wildlife and be vigilant of health implications.

Then maybe living in areas where there is wildlife isn’t really for these people. They want to be in nature until there is actually nature.

[Anonymous]

I live in the Southwest. We have coyotes in our backyard. The pups are cute. We also get mountain lions but you have to be very savvy to see them, usually it’s in the very early morning.

Also lots of rattlesnakes and other venomous critters. Scorpions, centipedes, Pepsis wasps, velvet ants, tarantulas…all of which I’ve seen in my backyard.

Like PP said, the only thing I’d be afraid of are loose dogs. Wild animals are scared of humans. Dogs, not so much, plus many have been bred and trained to be aggressive.

I wouldn’t want to run into a grizzly but a pistol won’t do much against them anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m terrified of wildlife (but also of guns.) Hikes make me kind of nervous - I’m scared of bears and snakes and various wild “cats” (cougars and mountain lions.) There are some popular national parks I’m nervous to visit because of this.

We have visited many parks and camped a lot over the years and tbh I never can sleep very well: there was a bear at Yellowstone at our camp site the night before we were there, we woke up to huge (probably cougar) paw prints in the sand in the dessert behind our tent in Southern Utah... But snakes terrify me the most because they are just randomly just "there": we were touring a campus aa few months ago, not wild, middle of a city and there was one right there by where we took a pic staring at us! So you never know when wildlife can strike.

The chances of running into a dangerous wild cat are so slim…I agree it’s scary in theory but I’d be honored in a way.

As far as bears - hike with a dog or near where dogs regularly go, and you’ll be fine. A lot of places in our area where there are bears allow dog hunting and so any bear that has lasted know to stay well away from the scent.

Re: snakes - in most of North America, there is very little danger and a pair of pants and being remotely aware when stepping will keep you safe.

Dogs aren't allowed at places like Yellowstone in most areas you'd hike: just paved areas and near actual facilities. Theoretically I agree that's good but it wouldn't help there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two legged cougars. More enjoyable spearing them.

Yeah, but I'm not afraid of them.
I hunt them myself! Very enjoyable when you bag one.

Nice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Ticks that spread Lyme or other chronic diseases are an issue in the long grass and undergrowth, and even in people's backyards. Bears are a regular issue in some areas. Some coyotes and bobcats have attacked pets before.

You don't need to "fear" wildlife, but need to understand wildlife and be vigilant of health implications.

I'm scared of tick-borne diseases too. Not something a gun would be helpful for though

[Anonymous]

I am not. I am in the woods all the time with my dog.
However, I work for a police dept that answers animal calls too initially. The ignorance around here is astounding. We get so many calls for “ I’ve seen a fox in my yard and I’m scared to let my children play” every spring.
“ there is a snake outside therefore I can’t leave my house”
Truly ignorant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in the Southwest. We have coyotes in our backyard. The pups are cute. We also get mountain lions but you have to be very savvy to see them, usually it’s in the very early morning.

Also lots of rattlesnakes and other venomous critters. Scorpions, centipedes, Pepsis wasps, velvet ants, tarantulas…all of which I’ve seen in my backyard.

Like PP said, the only thing I’d be afraid of are loose dogs. Wild animals are scared of humans. Dogs, not so much, plus many have been bred and trained to be aggressive.

I wouldn’t want to run into a grizzly but a pistol won’t do much against them anyway.

That’s where you are wrong. I’m from the south and went in the woods often, and yes animals stayed away. I knew to make noise while walking so not to sneak up on a snake, don’t walk on piles of leaves or play with logs where animals may hide.

Now in the suburbs, the animals are all tame but still wild — raccoons get into trash cans and packages and I have to carefully check before venturing out. Foxes get ridiculously close — I wonder if a neighbor feeds them. So they don’t keep thei distance like they should.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in the Southwest. We have coyotes in our backyard. The pups are cute. We also get mountain lions but you have to be very savvy to see them, usually it’s in the very early morning.

Also lots of rattlesnakes and other venomous critters. Scorpions, centipedes, Pepsis wasps, velvet ants, tarantulas…all of which I’ve seen in my backyard.

Like PP said, the only thing I’d be afraid of are loose dogs. Wild animals are scared of humans. Dogs, not so much, plus many have been bred and trained to be aggressive.

I wouldn’t want to run into a grizzly but a pistol won’t do much against them anyway.

That’s where you are wrong. I’m from the south and went in the woods often, and yes animals stayed away. I knew to make noise while walking so not to sneak up on a snake, don’t walk on piles of leaves or play with logs where animals may hide.

Now in the suburbs, the animals are all tame but still wild — raccoons get into trash cans and packages and I have to carefully check before venturing out. Foxes get ridiculously close — I wonder if a neighbor feeds them. So they don’t keep thei distance like they should.

That’s still very different than a dog raised by humans and bred/trained to be aggressive.

There are WAY more dog attacks and deaths from dog attacks than foxes or raccoons. Breaking into a trash can is nothing like being mauled by a dog.

[Anonymous]

I am afraid of bees, coyotes, pigeons, flies, cats, etc.