Lost Interest In Backpacking Or Hiking Due To Bf?

[Guest Thepattywagon]

what sucks with the spiders is they have this habit of making their webs 1) at face level 2) across a path 3) where you will walk. And the spiders do this thing that freaks me out... when you get near them they start to vibrate and I think they are going to come flying off of their web like a trampoline and jump on me.

This says they are the largest non Tarantula spider in North America...

http://www.shadygrovetrainingcenter.com/Wildlife/bannana_spider_photo_gallery.htm

I have noticed at least one BF report from Hillsborough River State Park so I might have to reconsider going on hikes there.

That Tim Fasano guy does or did a bit of 'researching' in the Hillsborough St Park. It's a beautiful place and I've been there several times.

[Guest]

I do not believe BF is currently a threat to humans. Hike away! I also believe that they can understand english. Further, the only times I recall hearing of a charge or other display is when the human ignores boundaries.

The only thing is, that animals do unconventional things all the time. They do not seem to honor conventions or history at all. Little black bears broke into a lady's house in BC last year and ate her.

Canada does not allow handguns at all to be carried at all. There are obvious exceptions and I wore a .38 for years as a uniform adornment. Most common response to a displayed gun in Canada is a sort of snicker, like you have been caught with lacey panties or a thong. It's considered to be a sign of weakness. An adversary would ask you what you are afraid of and then press charges if you make threatening motions towards it. You cannot draw it without seeing a weapon. The most serious risk is of being beaten with your own gun. Seriously. Most guys at this company didn't load thier guns or carry ammo so they wouldn't be shot with them. During my time there a supervisor was demonstrating a break front holster to someone and accidentally shot him in the nuts. Nobody ever used the practice range again.

OMG, Did he survive? Was he still able to father children if he survived? That's a Yikes Twice moment..!

[Guest]

Ive read that grizzlies/brown bears are attracted to bright colored nylon which many tents are made of.

I wonder if this would hold true for BF as well...

Any data on this?

[georgerm]

what sucks with the spiders is they have this habit of making their webs 1) at face level 2) across a path 3) where you will walk. And the spiders do this thing that freaks me out... when you get near them they start to vibrate and I think they are going to come flying off of their web like a trampoline and jump on me.

This says they are the largest non Tarantula spider in North America...

http://www.shadygrovetrainingcenter.com/Wildlife/bannana_spider_photo_gallery.htm

I have noticed at least one BF report from Hillsborough River State Park so I might have to reconsider going on hikes there.

This thread is also designed to help us work through our BF fears so we can enjoy the woods. Now that I realize BF is really out there, I refuse to let this ruin my fun in the back country. I have read many reports over the years, and BF either walks off when spotting humans or sends out clear signals to leave the area if it's perturbed. I have never read about an unprovoked attack. If two or more people hang out in the woods, then most animals will stay clear except for Grizzlies that occupy Yellowstone Park and Alaska. Going into the woods alone is hazardous for many reasons so avoid this if possible.

We have big scary harmless garden spiders in southern Oregon, and the body is about the size of an medium sized grape with long fuzzy legs. One day I decided to be brave, and I coaxed this big garden spider onto my hand! We were calm and it just walked around for awhile then I let it off. This eliminated my fear of harmless spiders.

[Shelly]

"Normal" things that i would encounter like rattle snakes, etc. do not scare me per se. I respect them, but I do not have any particualar fear of them. Its running into something unnatural that would freak me out. And I just hate spiders and most insects. The big flying roaches we have outside here make me faint too. I love bats too. And alligators. Even the big river here has sharks in it. I assume they are bull sharks. But in Florida that stuff is "normal" and goes with the territory.

To be fair to BF while he seems to be scary or can be scary it seems that even when he has the opportunity to attack someone that for the most part its a lot of bluff and noise. Not that I wan't to be bluffed with.

[wiiawiwb]

I was exploring a section of remote woods earlier this year where my son and I had our first encounter while night fishing about 8 years ago. Being retired law enforcement, I never go anywhere without legally carrying a means of protection. It saved my life in this situation. I encourage any law biding citizen to take advantage of the concealed handgun licenses many states afford.

While making my way along the creek, three Pit Bull dogs came crashing out of the brush about 100 yards away. They tracked my scent and charged me at 50 yards. There was no where to run, climb or hide. Without even thinking, I had my 45 ACP out and a quick double tap in front of them instantly turned them back. They fled one way while I ran the opposite direction and didn't stop til I got to my pickup along the highway.

You must always be prepared for the unexpected. I never would have thought of encountering a group of feral dogs, but without my pistol, I would have been their helpless chew toy.

Always expect the unexpected, be prepared for a serious defense if you are alone out there. Sadly, this also includes a small number of humans....

Sadly, some of us live in a state where a handgun is difficult to get and, once you have it, the court restricts its use to target and hunting only.

If you get caught in camp and can't defend why you have it, based upon your restrictions, you'll lose your gun and the right to ever carry one in the future.

I carry bear spray not because I'm worried about bear (only black bear in my region) but for protection in the event I encounter dogs like you did. It's happened before to me while trail running and I was fortunate the two dogs decided not to attack.

Edited January 21, 2012 by wiiawiwb

[Guest]

Sadly, some of us live in a state where a handgun is difficult to get and, once you have it, the court restricts its use to target and hunting only.

If you get caught in camp and can't defend why you have it, based upon your restrictions, you'll lose your gun and the right to ever carry one in the future.

I carry bear spray not because I'm worried about bear (only black bear in my region) but for protection in the event I encounter dogs like you did. It's happened before to me while trail running and I was fortunate the two dogs decided not to attack.

Small Air horns work better than the pepper spray, you don't have to be close and hit them in the face with it. It works well with dogs also.

As far a handgun, your better off carrying a short barreled shot gun(18 1/2" legal) with a folding stock (if legal in your state) or a short stock, riot gun, or even a youth model, loaded with buck shot and slugs, you can stop just about any animal on the planet with slugs and there is a much smaller learning curve with a shotgun.

also, hand guns need practice to be efficient with them and in highly stressful situations, they can be extremely hard to hit a target, let alone one running towards you. If you were to carry a handgun,

a revolver is the safest , easiest and most reliable to operate. the semi-autos became popular for there high rate of fire and fast reloading time, witch is better for combat situations,

but unnecessary for animal protection.

[georgerm]

If you come face to face with BF, what are you not going to do?

What are you going to do?

If BF charges what are you going to do?

[Shelly]

If you come face to face with BF, what are you not going to do?

What are you going to do?

If BF charges what are you going to do?

Not going to poke him with a stick

Faint

Run 30 feet and faint

[Guest]

If you come face to face with BF, what are you not going to do?

What are you going to do?

If BF charges what are you going to do?

I'll poke him with a stick

He might beat me up but that's happened to me before, no big deal.

[Guest rig416]

Being in New Hampshire I have zero expectations of running across one.....

If I was in an area with reposts of these creature I would not let the idea of it prevent me from enjoying the outdoors.

What I would do if I saw one....?

Well I'd like to *think* I would remain calm and try to take in every nuance of the encounter and if I have camera or video equipment

available take some **** good pix/vid.

Best,

RIG

[Guest Twilight Fan]

Jeez, reading almost every post in this thread has made me TERRIFIED to ever go camping now! Or even hiking. (Not of Bigfoot, mind you, but other dangers). Good thing I prefer the great indoors to the outdoors. My BF and I were considering going camping in a few months, (near a site with many other campers and facilities nearby, that is)...but even with that added protection, now I'm not so sure.

I mean, between the feral pit bull attack, and the threat of grizzlies, black bears and cougars, it's like, YIKES! No thanks. I prefer my nice, cozy bed to a tent anyday, even though I've never slept in a tent before. It sounds really risky now, maybe I'd stay in a yurt. (Glad my local campsite has that option!) I think the one poster who said cougars are "NO THREAT" to adult humans has, sorry to say, lost their marbles! I don't care what the death toll stats are.

My family once adopted this rogue cat who wandered into our yard. Fed it, and it lived under our deck. That thing hated me, for no reason. It loved everyone else. And cats make me really nervous because they are SO unpredictable. I always feel like one minute they're content and purring, the next they try to scratch or bite you without reason. (Bipolar, much?) Cats scare me, silly as it sounds. So, a BIG CAT stalking me in the woods...UM, YEAH. How can someone think that is not dangerous? Anyone who makes that claim is clearly ignoring reality. Big cats are horribly dangerous to ALL humans!!!

I think I'll forget camping and just stay home.

[Guest]

Jeez, reading almost every post in this thread has made me TERRIFIED to ever go camping now! Or even hiking. (Not of Bigfoot, mind you, but other dangers). Good thing I prefer the great indoors to the outdoors. My BF and I were considering going camping in a few months, (near a site with many other campers and facilities nearby, that is)...but even with that added protection, now I'm not so sure.

I mean, between the feral pit bull attack, and the threat of grizzlies, black bears and cougars, it's like, YIKES! No thanks. I prefer my nice, cozy bed to a tent anyday, even though I've never slept in a tent before. It sounds really risky now, maybe I'd stay in a yurt. (Glad my local campsite has that option!) I think the one poster who said cougars are "NO THREAT" to adult humans has, sorry to say, lost their marbles! I don't care what the death toll stats are.

My family once adopted this rogue cat who wandered into our yard. Fed it, and it lived under our deck. That thing hated me, for no reason. It loved everyone else. And cats make me really nervous because they are SO unpredictable. I always feel like one minute they're content and purring, the next they try to scratch or bite you without reason. (Bipolar, much?) Cats scare me, silly as it sounds. So, a BIG CAT stalking me in the woods...UM, YEAH. How can someone think that is not dangerous? Anyone who makes that claim is clearly ignoring reality. Big cats are horribly dangerous to ALL humans!!!

I think I'll forget camping and just stay home.

Humm.. LOl I don't know exactly what to say, but would hate to think you won't camp b/c of low odds stories! Depends where you are I suppose and how foolish you are hiking...but honestly, unless you are in Grizzly country or Gianbt Hog country the animal dnagers are very few..poisonous snakes more likely, or even just falling over your own feet.

But, weather in the wilderness is dangerous...but again, one just uses their head and doesn't head out on a steep dirt road in mud if they can avoid and so on...go slow and be observant and you will be fine! Humans tend to crash thru the wilderness to get "there" and our haste is our enemy... stroll, observe, etc....don't miss those fantastic nights of sounds and mystery!

There is no virtual world that matches the actual experience...it is worth it, even with dirty fingernails for a day or two.

On BFs in the wilderness... if you are being followed by a BF thank your lucky stars b/c all those critters worrying you won't And BF? They just want to keep tabs on you so you dont surprise them..the stalking is simply spying for their own safety...lol, or so I think and is based on my expereince...

[Guest Twilight Fan]

Humm.. LOl I don't know exactly what to say, but would hate to think you won't camp b/c of low odds stories! Depends where you are I suppose and how foolish you are hiking...but honestly, unless you are in Grizzly country or Gianbt Hog country the animal dnagers are very few..poisonous snakes more likely, or even just falling over your own feet.

Am in Oregon where yes, we do have a lot of wildlife like bears and cougars, whether I've seen them or not...they're out there. Just the other day I heard a coyote yelping somewhat close to my house, so I wouldn't call the odds low for encountering predators, especially in the woods.

But, weather in the wilderness is dangerous...but again, one just uses their head and doesn't head out on a steep dirt road in mud if they can avoid and so on...go slow and be observant and you will be fine! Humans tend to crash thru the wilderness to get "there" and our haste is our enemy... stroll, observe, etc....don't miss those fantastic nights of sounds and mystery!

I'm sure it would be pretty, but seriously after reading these freaky stories...I think I'll pass.

On BFs in the wilderness... if you are being followed by a BF thank your lucky stars b/c all those critters worrying you won't And BF? They just want to keep tabs on you so you dont surprise them..the stalking is simply spying for their own safety...lol, or so I think and is based on my expereince...

Not even sure I believe in Bigfoot, so he is definitely not what worries me. Even if he did exist, I imagine he'd either be peaceful or a curious primate, like mountain gorillas if they charge you, it's almost always a bluff for their own safety. If a GRIZZLY or cougar follows you, and if you're like me you do not carry a gun or even know remotely how to use one...You better start praying not to become prey.

[georgerm]

Am in Oregon where yes, we do have a lot of wildlife like bears and cougars, whether I've seen them or not...they're out there. Just the other day I heard a coyote yelping somewhat close to my house, so I wouldn't call the odds low for encountering predators, especially in the woods.

I'm sure it would be pretty, but seriously after reading these freaky stories...I think I'll pass.

Not even sure I believe in Bigfoot, so he is definitely not what worries me. Even if he did exist, I imagine he'd either be peaceful or a curious primate, like mountain gorillas if they charge you, it's almost always a bluff for their own safety. If a GRIZZLY or cougar follows you, and if you're like me you do not carry a gun or even know remotely how to use one...You better start praying not to become prey.

This thread is not intended to scare hikers so they don't want to go camping. However, we do need to think through our plans just in case. We are the most feared animal in the woods since we can easily end the existence of any thing out there. Stay with groups of people and carry a big can of bear spray, and enjoy the outdoors.