Respect Wildlife

We've all had it happen. You look up from the trail just in time to see an animal dive out of sight - a swoop of wing, a flash of antler, a slap of beaver's tail.

The truth is, most animals see, hear or smell us long before we are aware of their presence. They observe us and, depending on how far away we are and how we act, they decide to stay, defend themselves or flee. Even fleeing from us robs them of precious energy.

Fortunately, there are many simple ways that you can help blend into an animal's surroundings. Here are but a few. If you follow these practical tips you'll be treated to a wildlife show that makes your heart pound and your senses hum!

• Fade into the woodwork by wearing natural colors and unscented lotions. Clothes that don't rustle are best.
• Keep your distance and use binoculars or scopes. This allows you to observe animals without disturbing them.
• Sometimes you will 'see' more by sitting quietly for a while with your eyes closed. Your ears may hear what is not readily visible to your eyes.
• Let animals eat their natural foods. Sharing your sandwich, or other foods, with them may harm their digestive systems that are adapted to natural foods. Animals may become conditioned to handouts, eventually losing their fear of people and/or vehicles. This may put them, and you, into potentially dangerous situations. Instead, spend some time to watch and learn what natural foods they prefer.
• Be easy to be with by moving like molasses: slow, smooth and steady. If you must advance, take a roundabout route, never move directly toward an animal. Avert your gaze as animals may interpret a direct stare as a threat.
• Think like an animal. As a rule, the border between two habitats is a good place to see residents from both habitats.
• Figure out the best time if day for viewing by imaging an animal's daily schedule. When does it feed? Rest? Bathe? Drink? Dawn and dusk are usually good bets. A dry, hot, sunny afternoon is not the nest time to look.
• Plants and the landscape are important parts of wildlife habitat. Please do not damage or remove them, and stay on designated trails or roads.
• Keep pets on a leash at all times. Pets can harm wildlife, and reduce viewing opportunities.

There are many specific things people can do to avoid attracting black bears. Good sanitation is a key to many of these. Odors attract bears to potential food items. Carefully controlling odors associated with food and products which humans use prevent bears from being conditioned to being near people. This means that we need to store food, garbage, cooking gear, and cosmetics where bears cannot get them. Once conditioned, a bear is dangerous. It may approach humans closely and come into camps or near homes to search for food.

Avoiding Contact - specific things you can do

• Keep a clean camp.
• Store only sleeping gear and clean clothing in the tent. Never sleep in the clothing worn while cooking.
• When appropriate, use bear resistant canisters for all food and scented items when camping
• In other areas, hang all food, garbage, cooking gear, and cosmetics in a tree at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet from the tree trunk or nearby branches. If there is a device provided for storing or hanging your food or other items, use it. If you are camped near your vehicle, store these items in the trunk. Use PVC-type float sacks for storing items to minimize odors.
• Never use the stuff sacks for tens or sleeping bags to store food, garbage, cooking gear, or cosmetics. This may transmit smells attractive to bears to tents and sleeping bags.
• Where hunting is permitted, store game meat as you would human food. Dispose of fish entrails by puncturing the air bladder and dropping them in deep water, allowing natural decomposition.
• Dispose of used tampons or sanitary napkins by packing them out in a sealed plastic bag.
• Pitch your tent 100 yards uphill from the area where you're cooking and storing food, if possible.
• Never bury or burn garbage.
• Never cook in or near a tent.
• Avoid cooking strong-smelling foods; use dehydrated foods when possible.
• Use a stove instead of a cooking fire whenever possible.
• Store horse and pet feed the same as human food.
• If dogs are permitted in the area, keep your dog on a leash; a free ranging dog may lead a bear back to you.

Hiking in Bear Country

• Stay informed about recent bear activity in the area.
• Leave a travel plan with a friend, and sign in and out at the trailhead so that someone will know when to expect your return.
• Avoid sudden encounters and destruction of habitat. Stay on trails.
• Hike in groups to avoid surprising bears.
• Hike in daylight hours only.
• Make human sounds by talking, singing, or clapping your hands. Avoid high-pitched voices.
• Stay alert. Be aware of your surroundings. The potential for a bear encounter always exists. Look for paw prints, droppings, fresh diggings, torn-apart logs, and rocks that have been turned over. These may signal that a bear is active in the area.
• It is easy to become absorbed in photography, bird watching, or sightseeing. Stay alert.
• Bear food supplies such as berry fields, fish spawning areas, and animal carcasses should be recognized and avoided.
• Watch for noisy streams and wind directions that may mask your sound and scent.
• All bears have the ability to climb trees, some better than others.
• Just because you don't see bears doesn't mean they are not around. Bears may be hidden in thick brush.
• Always carry a used bandana, shirt, or parka that you can drop easily. Avoid dropping food, this will only encourage the bear's aggressiveness toward other hikers.

If You Encounter a Bear

If you see a bear, stay calm and give it plenty of room. Do not startle it; detour slowly, keeping upwind so it will get your scent and know you are there. If you can't detour wait until it moves away from your route before proceeding.

When a bear first detects you, it may stand upright and use all of its senses to determine what and where you are. Once it identifies you it may ignore you, move slowly away, run, or it may charge. A wild bear rarely attacks unless it feels threatened or provoked.

On four legs, a bear may show agitation by swaying its head from side to side, making huffing noises and clacking its teeth.

A charge or retreat may follow. Flattened ears and raised hair on the back of the neck indicate aggressive intent. If a bear runs with a stiff, bouncing gait, it may be a false charge.

Never run, and do not try to climb a tree unless you are sure you have time to climb at least 10 feet before the bear reaches you. Bears can run very fast.

If approached by a bear, do not run. Bears can easily outrun you. Try backing off slowly. Fight back aggressively if attacked.  

Several species of snakes inhabit this area, however only rattlesnakes pose a threat. Although rarely encountered by visitors, they may appear any time. Be careful when hiking on rocks during the warmer months. Rocks are favorite places for rattlesnakes, providing them with a place to warm up in the sunshine and a quick retreat into the crevices. If you meet up with a "rattler", give it plenty of room and allow it to move out of your way.

Mountain lions provide many ecosystem benefits by helping to maintain healthy prey populations. They will hunt deer and elk, invasive species such as wild pigs and feral horses, and smaller animals such as coyotes, raccoons, and rodents. Potential conflict with mountain lions may occur due to property damage and loss of livestock or pets while hunting. Feeding other wildlife, such as deer, may attract mountain lions.

Preventing Conflict

Mountain lions typically pose little threat to humans, and generally avoid any human interaction. People who live in mountain lion habitat can take precautions to reduce their risk of encountering a mountain lion. 

• Avoid hiking, biking, or jogging alone especially at dawn, dusk, or at night.
• Deer-proof your property to avoid attracting a lion's main food source.
• Remove dense vegetation from around the home to reduce hiding spaces.
• Install outdoor lighting to make it difficult for mountain lions to approach unseen.
• Secure livestock and outdoor large pets in sturdy, covered shelters at night.

If You Encounter a Mountain Lion

• Stay alert on trails. Keep pets leashed and walk with small children, don't let them run ahead.
• Never approach a mountain lion. Give them an escape route.
• DO NOT RUN. Stay calm. Do not turn your back.
• Face the animal, make loud noise and try to look bigger. If with small children, put them on your shoulders.
• Do not crouch down or bend over.

Few sightings result in a mountain lion being identified as an imminent threat to public safety. Most reports are resolved by providing species information and technical assistance. Mountain lion attacks on humans are rare. Since 1890, there have been less than 50 verified mountain lion attacks on humans in California, including six fatal incidents. In most cases the person was lone when the attacked occurred.

Please familiarize yourself with these safety tips at the California Fish & Wildlife site.

California Fish & Wildlife 

Mosquitoes, ticks and deer flies are present and can be a nuisance. Ticks are known to transmit Lyme Disease and rocky mountain Spotted Fever. An insect repellent (with active ingredient DEET) is definitely a worthwhile addition to your pack.