It's hunting season.
You're searching for that perfect trophy
and possibly dinner.
But you're not the only one
with a pack to feed.
These hunting grounds
belong to someone else.
Wolf attacks are a rare occurrence,
with only 49 documented cases
in Alaska and Canada from 1942 to 2002.
But as long as man
encroaches on nature,
that can change.
In 2019, Russ Fee awoke to screams
from a neighboring campsite.
He found a wolf
dragging a man by his arm.
Fee kicked the wolf in the hip.
That strategy worked against one wolf,
Some humans have spent their entire lives
in the wilderness
without ever spotting this elusive predator.
But with hunting pushing their population
to the brink of extinction,
and man further infringing on their territory,
wolf sightings have increased.
So if face to snout with this deadly canine,
here's what you can do to turn things around.
Wolves often hunt their prey by chasing it.
Running away could trigger their instinct
to chase you down.
In a short burst, a gray wolf can sprint
up to 65 km/h (40 mph).
Your cardio classes haven't prepared you
for this footrace.
To avoid any escalation,
don't make eye contact,
as this can be interpreted
as a direct challenge.
Keep your head lowered and bowed slightly.
If the wolf continues to come closer,
immediately raise your arms above your head.
Rise to your full height,
clap your hands and shout aggressively.
To a wolf, this loud display
could be viewed as claiming your territory.
It may not scare it away,
but it might buy you extra time to escape.
As the wolf approaches,
back away slowly,
but don't turn your back on it.
Keep calm and stay balanced
as you walk carefully backwards.
Falling down will make you an easy target,
like a turtle on its back.
If possible,
try to approach a group of people
or find a nearby fire.
Wolves hate fire
and will back off
as they get closer to the smoke.
And if you're feeling really limber,
you may also want to climb
that tree behind you,
but remember to stay facing the wolf.
If the wolf lunges at you,
protect your jugular,
as wolves attack the neck and throats
of their prey for a quick and easy kill.
The tips of a gray wolf's canine teeth
can produce a pressure
of almost 500 newtons,
making short work
of bones and exposed flesh.
Staying in a protected position
will at least keep your vital spots safe
from this carnivore's powerful jaws.
Fighting back can prove to the wolf
that you are not an easy meal.
Throw rocks, sticks,
whatever you have at hand
and aim for its sensitive face.
Showing you won't go down
without a fight could be enough
to make the wolf question
the confrontation and retreat.
Wolves instinctively attack
the weakest of the pack.
This puts small children,
the elderly, and the injured at greatest risk.
and keep the most vulnerable people
in the center of the group.
Don't break ranks,
and make sure there's a person watching
in every direction
to monitor any perimeter area wolf activity.
Wolves rarely attack humans in the wild,
but should you wander near their dens
or breeding grounds,
you could be perceived as a threat.
Watch for their signs,
such as assorted sizes of wolf droppings
on the ground,
gnawed bones and plastic litter.
Listen for their vocalizations of barking
or repeated howling.
And always keep an eye out for their tracks.
So you escaped that wolf by backing away,
and acting big,
but what happened to the campsite?
Where is everyone?
How are you going to survive
lost in this forest?
Lace-up your boots
and get your compass handy.
We have the answer
on the next How to Survive.