Experts Shared Essential Tips For If You Come Face To Face With A Wolf

Unlike bears, wolves don’t look that intimidating from a distance. If anything, you may think they’re pretty approachable. Maybe it’s their physical similarities to dogs that give off that impression. But resist the urge to get closer. These creatures won’t react like domesticated pets.

And if you cross the wrong wolf, you could be in for a very bad time. So what signs should you look out for in this situation? For starters, the wolf may begin to growl in an aggressive manner. It may also gnash its teeth and ready itself to pounce on you.

Scary stuff. But that’s got us thinking – what actually motivates wolves to attack people? Is there a catalyst? Well, there are a couple of things that prompt them to turn away from their usual prey and onto humans instead. So, take note – especially if you ever plan to head out into the wild.

Hunger can be a big motivator for the animals. And if food is incredibly scarce in the surrounding area, you run the risk of putting yourself at the top of the menu. Make no mistake, though – this would be the last resort for any wolf. You’d have to be very unlucky for that to happen.

Another explanation is far more likely. If you get too close to a tetchy wolf or show signs that you’re a potential danger, you’re inviting them to go on the offensive. And avoid their cubs. That’s a sure-fire way to rile the animals up.

Rabies is an issue, too. Wolves are affected by this horrible condition, and that’s bad news if you cross one with rabies in the wild. They’ll strike out at whatever’s around them, meaning no animal or person is safe.

We know that’s a lot to take in, but it’s good to be aware of this stuff before you head into wolf territory. Speaking of which, that leads us to another question – where should you be looking out for wolves? And it may surprise you to learn that they don’t just live in the U.S.

Wolves can handle both the cold and warm. Different terrains aren’t an issue, either, as they can be found roaming everywhere from sandy landscapes to dense forests, grassy stretches, and snowy patches. Nothing seems to phase these animals.

So you can spot packs of wolves in the North Pole and India. Some of them live in Mexico, too, although that’s more or less the cut-off point. It’s highly unlikely they’ll be any further south than that.

And, of course, there are a huge number of wolves in more northerly countries. That appears to be their preferred territory. Russia and Canada are two of the places you’d most expect to spot the majestic beasts, while Alaska is a big one in America.

But the animals also live in Wisconsin, Oregon, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. So if you’re staying in any of those states, keep your eyes open! You may see something – and knowing how to ward off a wolf attack could just save your life.

You’re probably wondering what kinds of wolves can be found in those states, as there isn’t just one type. Well, experts believe that there are two main species: the red wolf and the gray wolf. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. They both have several subspecies, too.

Let’s start with the red wolf. Of the two main species, this one may sadly be on the verge of extinction. It did have three subspecies, although two of them no longer exist today. And a very small number is all that’s left of these beautiful animals in America. You’ll find them out in North Carolina.

Thankfully, the situation isn’t as bleak for the gray wolf. This is the species you’ll most likely spot while roaming the wilds of the United States. More than 20 subspecies were recognized in the past, showing how vast their population used to be. It’s a little bit different today, though.

The number of subspecies has been whittled down to five after further analysis. They’re called the Arctic wolf, the Rocky Mountain wolf, the Mexican wolf, the Great Plains wolf, and the Eastern wolf. A few people believe that the last kind is a species by itself.

That’s what you’re up against if you and your friends are planning to explore America’s great outdoors. But that leads us to our next big question – how frequent are wolf attacks? Should you really be on your guard 24/7? The answer could surprise you.

From 2002 to 2020, nearly 500 attacks were recorded across the globe. That would suggest they’re pretty rare. But an expert has still tried to urge you to be cautious. You can’t just rest on your laurels because the numbers appear low.

John Linnell of the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research warned all of us when he said to The Wildlife Society, “The overall message is that most people in North America and Europe can live very close to wolves and be perfectly okay in 99.99999 percent of cases. But it’s never 100 percent. Things can happen. We need to be prepared for that.”

Other wildlife specialists may agree with Linnell’s assessment, as they’ve shared a couple of valuable survival tips. And these pieces of advice could save your life if you’re in trouble. So, here we go, ladies and gents. Let’s find out what you’ve got to do when confronted by a wolf.

The first tip is admittedly easier said than done, but it’s absolutely crucial. You need to try and stop an attack from materializing. Just because a wolf has you in its sights, that doesn’t mean it’ll automatically go for you... unless you give it a reason.

First things first: don’t gaze into the wolf’s eyes. If you stare at it, the animal will think you’re looking for a fight. Watch your mouth as well – it’s a bad idea to flash your teeth. Instead, slowly drop the upper half of your body as if you’re bowing down.

That simple action should tell the wolf that you’re not looking for trouble. Then you’re advised to take a few steps backward, keeping the front half of your body facing the animal. It’ll be nerve-wracking, but it’s better than running away. Speaking of which, you should never do that.

Wolf expert Oliver Starr explained why on Quora. He said, “Wolves are what’s known as coursing predators, meaning they take their prey on the run. If you watch wolves hunt, you’ll immediately see this in action. Wolves will attempt to get the animals they prey upon to run. If they don’t run, wolves usually don’t pursue the attack.” Good to know!

If the wolf does want to pursue you, though, what should you do next? Well, the animal will show those signs of aggression we mentioned earlier when it’s preparing to pounce. So you need to stop being nervous and make yourself seem scary.

This will tell the wolf that you’re not going to roll over for them. Raise your arms in the air and make your body look as big as possible. Then take a deep breath and begin to shout in the direction of the animal. You may look as though you’re turning into a bit of a madman – to the outside world, anyway.

That may sound simple enough, but Starr brought up something important on Quora. The expert wrote, “If you are noisy, don’t exhibit excessive fear and maintain control of yourself.” Yep, keep your voice strong! And try to scan your surroundings, too – you may spot something that could help.

“If you can do so without making yourself vulnerable, grab a few stones and throw them at the animals. [Then] back slowly away,” Starr added. With all the noise and your newfound aggression, there should now be a gap between you and the wolf. But don’t relax just yet.

Even though you’ve created some separation, that’s not a sign that the wolf is going to stop pursuing you. That whole second tip, in fact, is a setup for the next one: making your getaway. Hopefully by this point you’ll have seen a few more folks out and about.

If you have, you’re now in a great position. Wolves aren’t fond of pursuing or attacking people in big groups, and so that may be your way out. But it’s not a foregone conclusion. The beast could still try its luck.

If that happens, bunch around the more vulnerable members of your party. You’ll be shielding them from harm. And keep your eyes open for a nearby campfire. If you spot one, head in that direction, as wolves can’t stand the smoke and heat fires emit. 

But what if you’re not lucky enough to find a group to aid your escape? What happens then? Well, the How to Survive YouTube channel suggests that you could make your way up a tree. The wolf won’t follow you, but it’ll probably wait at the bottom for a while.

The best-case scenario is that the wolf will eventually lose interest and leave you be. But if it does manage to get hold of you before you escape, stay calm. The fourth tip from the experts covers this. Without beating around the bush, it’s going to suck, but it should ultimately protect you.

Starr revealed what he’d do if a couple of wolves attacked him. He told Quora, “I myself expect I would curl into the tightest ball possible and try to protect my head, neck, face, and sides.” Make sure you shield your throat, as that’s one of the places the animals aim for.

And here’s where things are going to get tough. Even though you’re protecting yourself as much as you can, there’s nothing to stop the wolf from biting you. It’s a painful inevitability. But if you’re doing everything right, the beast’s teeth won’t reach the areas that’ll do real damage. Just stay in position on the ground.

You’ll eventually get an opening to stand back up when the wolf eases its attack. At that stage, start to repeat what you did earlier: making your body as big as possible. This will show your adversary that you’re not going to be a pushover – regardless of the injuries you’ve been dealt.

And that brings us to the fifth and final tip. After everything that you’ve been through up to now, it’s time to fight back against the wolf. That’s right: hit its head or snout, as wolves are quite vulnerable there. One good shot could even knock it out.

If you’re lucky, the wolf may realize that you’re not like its standard prey. That alone could prompt it to walk away from the fight and head back into the wild. And even if the beast shows no signs of letting up, there are a couple of creative moves you can employ to get an edge in the battle.

One of them was used to great effect back in 2005, when Canadian man Fred Desjarlais got into a battle with an aggressive wolf. As the animal continued to go for him, he grabbed it and wrapped his arms around its face. Yep, Desjarlais applied a headlock, buying himself the time he needed so his friends could help scare the wolf away. 

Animal biology experts also believe that a well-placed fist will scare the wolf off. But this move isn’t for the faint-hearted. You need to ram your fist into the animal’s mouth until you reach the back of its throat. That way, the wolf won’t be able to clamp down on your arm or take in oxygen, so it should give up the fight. Wow, we hope so!

What if you encounter a bear, though? Do you have any chance against a fearsome creature that size? Well, if fighting off a wolf sounds scary enough to you, then you probably think you’ll be a goner if a real-life bear decided to attack. But not all is lost. A Navy Seal knows exactly what you need to do in that terrifying situation.

Seeing animals in their natural habitats can provide hugely rewarding experiences, of course. What could be better than witnessing creatures in the most unaffected environments? Yet we do have to be aware of the dangers that could come in such surroundings – especially if the animals in question can hurt us. And as you can guess, bears definitely fall into this category.

So there are certain signs that you should look out for if a bear gets too close to you. For instance, when the hulking animal signals its intent to attack, it could growl and pad the ground with its paws. And in addition to that, the omnivore will likely also lower its head as well as reposition its ears.

These encounters can happen for many reasons, too. Bears are usually unsure of people when they first spot them, you see. But this will change quickly if they feel threatened – or if the animals see the humans as prey. So Emerson’s advice could, therefore, prove crucial.

But where are these encounters likely to happen? Well, for those of us who love the great outdoors, there are few things more enjoyable than spending time in a national park. These locations – from Yosemite to Yellowstone – are some of the most eye-catching in the United States. Yet while these surroundings are certainly idyllic, visitors will have to stay alert for any sightings of bears.

In America, after all, we’re likely to spot three main types of bears out in the wild. These are brown bears, black bears and polar bears. The last of these are usually found in colder climates, of course. But the other two species roam around different areas of the country.

For example, black bears are scattered across the United States, living in states such as Tennessee, Alaska and North Carolina. The animals are also situated in both Yellowstone and Yosemite, so visitors can get a closer look at them. But given the size of these bears, some people will no doubt try their best to avoid them.

Black bears can weigh up to 500 pounds in their natural habitats, after all. Yet despite their imposing frames, most of these animals are vegetarian and seek out food such as nuts and fruit. Interestingly, in 2016, Emerson made an important observation about the black bear species.

As we mentioned earlier, Emerson used to be a member of the Navy SEALs. In fact, he dedicated over two decades of his life to the force. Then, after retiring, the former soldier wrote a book titled 100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition, which was published in the fall of 2016. And in that publication, he touched upon the dangers of bear encounters.

Regarding black bears, Emerson wrote, “If you run into a black bear on a mountain trail, be grateful for your good fortune. Compared to polar bears and brown bears, black bears are much less likely to attack.” But that’s not to say that these creatures won’t go on the offensive if they think you’re a threat. It’s always best to be careful – and prepared.

As for brown bears, though, they’re far more volatile than their vegetarian counterparts. And much like black bears, this species can be found in Yellowstone – while sightings have also been made in Glacier National Park. In addition to that, a large number of the animals are situated across Alaska and Canada.

Interestingly, in terms of appearance, there are two variations of brown bears that live in the wild. The first kind are simply referred to as “brown bears,” and they can weigh as much as 1,000 pounds. But while these animals stick to the coastlines, the other subspecies make their home on land.

Yes, the second species – known as “grizzlies” – aren’t as large as browns, weighing up to 700 pounds. But alongside their incredible mass, grizzly bears can reach heights of over six feet, which only adds to their intimidating look. That’s not all, though – as we’re about to find out.

You see, one of the other defining features of grizzly bears is the muscle found around their shoulders. They’re famous for their dangerously sharp claws and strong jaws, too. And given those physical attributes, this subspecies of brown bears is an omnivore – meaning it will consume anything from plant life to meat.

Just like the black bear, though, grizzlies probably won’t attack you without reason. Yet these animals are known to be quite aggressive. This is especially true if you display any kind of threatening behavior in their presence. But even so, grizzly bears present a very different proposition to polar bears – for significant reasons.

You see, polar bears are found in the Arctic Circle, which covers some of northern Alaska. And compared to the other two species of bear, these beautiful creatures are massive – weighing to up to 1,500 pounds. Due to their environment, too, polar bears get their sustenance from meat, including hunting down seals on the ice.

And as you can imagine, polar bears don’t see humans all that often, unlike the black and brown bears. So while the latter two bears can be wary of people thanks to previous contacts, that isn’t usually the case for their Arctic counterparts. In fact, polar bears could view us as a viable food source should they ever come across us.

Emerson even touched upon polar bears’ willingness to go after people in his 2016 book. The former Navy SEAL wrote, “Polar bears are always hungry. And unlike black and brown bears, polar bears will actively track and hunt down humans across their arctic terrain. Their massive height and heft make them formidable opponents.”

“[Polar bears are] capable of disemboweling prey with a single swipe of their claws,” Emerson added. Yet despite the threat that these three bear species can pose, attacks aren’t as frequent as you might think. Up until 2016, in fact, Yellowstone had only registered eight fatalities related to bears since it first opened in 1872. But that doesn’t necessarily tell the full story.

Emerson discussed more recent bear encounters and their changing nature in 100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition. The former SEAL explained, “Human-bear interactions have become increasingly frequent, as various regulations and conservation efforts have swelled the bear population across North America. Black bear sightings [are] particularly on the rise.”

Emerson continued, “Fortunately, bear attacks are very rare in general. You have a one in 2.1 million chance of being mauled, which means that almost any routine daily activity has a greater chance of killing you. But activities such as bow-hunting for elk in the mountains of Montana or backpacking in the Yellowstone range will significantly increase your risk of a lethal attack.”

So if that figure doesn’t put your mind at ease while you’re in the great outdoors, keep in mind that there are ways to avoid bears. For example: try to steer clear of noisy beds of water as the hulking animals could be lurking in those areas. And that’s not the only precaution you can take.

It’s advised, for instance, that you should travel in groups when moving through “bear country,” as the animals stay away from large gatherings. You should make plenty of noise, too, because this tells the bears that you’re not sneaking into their domains. The quieter you are, then, the bigger the risks.

If you’re camping outside, you also need to be very wary when preparing food. Unsurprisingly, you see, any bears in the area will be attracted by the smell of grub – so you should take some precautions. Emerson confirmed this in his book, even listing off a few instructions that could prove crucial.

“Bears have a formidable sense of smell,” wrote Emerson. “So when you’re stopped for the night, follow the common-sense strategies of double-bagging and hanging your food. Place food, cookware and utensils at least 100 feet from your tent, and never set up camp near bear scat or tracks.” His advice didn’t end there, either.

Emerson added, “Store any scented products (toothpaste, soap) with food and cooking supplies. Do not sleep in the same clothing you cooked in, as food scents may remain on [the] fibers.” So by following all of these steps, you should be able to keep the smell of nearby food to a minimum. Yet that still might not be enough to deter a curious bear.

To ensure your safety, then, it might be an idea to purchase some “bear spray” ahead of any trips into the wild. According to Emerson, this substance is the go-to tool to protect yourself from the animals – instead of a firearm. But the former soldier also revealed what you should do if a bear starts to get too close.

As the ex-SEAL explained, “Wave your arms around and make noise. Often this strategy will make bears stop in their tracks and run off. [But] if the bear charges you, this is the moment to use the bear spray... Dispense the bear spray when the bear is within 40 feet.” Or, if you did bring along a firearm, Emerson recommends that you “aim your rifle sights at a spot below its chin.”

In certain situations, though, the bear could just be testing you out with a fake charge. And if you’re wondering why it would do that, it’s because the creature may just be looking to gauge whether you’re a real threat to its safety. When this happens, you have to stay perfectly still – as the bear could choose to leave you alone anyway.

Unfortunately, though, there’s a possibility that the bear won’t stop charging. So you need to be prepared for what comes next. After all, the creature might well knock you down to the ground and begin an attack. And if it does, you’ve apparently got to try your best to fool it by “playing dead.”

As Emerson explained in 100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition, “If the bear attacks, most experts agree that this is the moment to lie down and play dead. You want to convince the bear that it has done its job and effectively minimized the perceived threat you posed. Lay flat on your stomach to protect your organs, crossing your hands behind your neck to guard your arteries.”

As Emerson emphasized, playing dead apparently works 75 percent of the time. And the retired Navy SEAL offered another suggestion, too, for when you’re pretending to be out of it. He added, “[You could also] curl into the fetal position, covering the back of your neck with your hands.”

But if you do spot a bear from a distance, there’s one piece of advice that you must follow – regardless of how you feel. When a person is threatened, you see, their fight-or-flight response kicks in. In many cases, the individual will naturally want to get away as quickly as possible to avoid danger.

But when it comes to bears, you have to be mindful of how you flee the area. As Emerson said in his book, “Never turn your back on a bear, and never try to run. Both of these actions can kick-start a bear’s predatory reflexes. And you’ll never be able to outrun a bear, as the animals can travel at up to 30 miles per hour.”

So you might be wondering how to escape before the bear gets too close for comfort. And, fortunately, Emerson came up with another solution. He also suggested that this is your best bet. He wrote, “Instead [of running], slowly walk away sideways, keeping an eye on the animal so that you can monitor its movements.”

Given how unpredictable nature is, though, you could still find yourself at the mercy of the bear. So if the beast continues to attack while it has you pinned down, you need to respond with force. Yes, using whatever tools are available to you, you’re advised to strike it in the eyes or snout. As Emerson explained, “The bear intends to kill and possibly eat you, so fight back with any available weapons: a knife, sticks, rocks, your fists.”

According to Emerson, this move could eventually fend off the bear – if you’re lucky enough. After all, when a bear maintains an attack like that for a sustained period, it ultimately wants to kill you. But, due to the numbers that we previously discussed, this would be an absolute worst-case scenario.

In conclusion, then, Emerson reiterated that you have to be prepared for any outcome when you head into bear country, as no one can truly predict what will happen. That being said, the retired SEAL still believed that one particular tool would get you out of most trouble.

As he explained in 100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition, “Some say that playing dead is more likely to work with the [grizzly bear], claiming that the [black bears’] less frequent attacks are more likely to be offensive. But all agree that pepper spray is the single best deterrent. One so effective that it has been used successfully by children under the age of ten.”

Emerson added, “There’s no tried-and-true, written-in-stone protocol for handling a bear attack. In part because attacks are so rare. So it’s no surprise to find debate among bear country-dwellers about how to handle a grizzly charge versus an encounter with a black bear.”