What to Do in the Taiga When You Encounter a Bear or a Wolf?

Recently, many people have asked me: how should you behave in the forest when you encounter a predator? What should you do if you come across a bear or a wolf? 

Readers are asking me to prepare a guide on what to do in case of an attack by wild animals.

I’ve also received several letters that sound like this: “We’re not hunters and don’t plan to be. But sometimes predators attack people! What should we do then? Our ancestors fought bears with their bare hands and won! And we’ve read stories in the press of people surviving bear attacks and even defeating them. Tell us — how can one fight back if a predator attacks first?” 

Dear potential future warriors: your best — and in truth, only — weapon in a fight with a large wild animal is to prevent that fight from ever happening!

First, I want to quote Sun Tzu, the great author of the ancient treatise on strategy The Art of War. One of his most important lessons is:

“The best battle is the one that never takes place.”

And also:

“Disaster comes when people, out of laziness, forget to take care of themselves.”

“There is no need to destroy your enemy; it is enough to deprive him of the will to fight.” 

Yes, a wild animal can be dangerous. And I wouldn’t even single out predators in particular! Believe me, a moose can be no less dangerous than a tiger.

So then — 

A SAFETY GUIDE FOR ENCOUNTERS WITH WILD ANIMALS.

GENERAL RULES. 

FIRST.

YOU HAVE ENTERED THE HOME OF A WILD ANIMAL — NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND! 

Behave in the taiga accordingly — with RESPECT toward the wild animal:

- don’t try to take selfies or get close for photos;- don’t approach cubs or young animals;- don’t go near carcasses — it may be a predator’s kill, and the hunter (for example, a tiger) could be resting nearby;- announce your presence — knocking on the “door” is POLITE! Make noise to let the forest know you are there. 

This point may seem strange, so let me explain: behave in the taiga in accordance with your species — a social primate. You’ll avoid most problems that way:

- move in groups, not alone;- talk, make noise, sing, or laugh;- call out to each other if, for example, you’re picking mushrooms at some distance apart. 

A NOISY GROUP WILL SCARE AWAY ANY WILD ANIMAL LONG BEFORE IT APPROACHES YOU — NO CREATURE WANTS TO DEAL WITH A CHATTERING BAND OF APES!  

SECOND.

BE ATTENTIVE.

- A bear often makes deliberate noise to mark its territory — simply don’t go toward the sound;- Fresh large tracks are a serious reason to turn back, even if you can’t identify which animal made them.

THIRD.

IF YOU COME FACE TO FACE WITH A FURRY SNOUT — REMEMBER THE THREE “DO NOTs”:

1.

DO NOT PANIC! SELF-CONTROL IS EVERYTHING!

2.

DO NOT RUN! 

Running in panic is the behavior of prey.

By acting like prey, you may provoke a predator into attacking. 

Instead — retreat slowly. Increase the distance. 

BUT: 

- maintain visual contact (step backward, do not turn your back);- speak calmly and confidently.

3.

- DO NOT PROVOKE THE ANIMAL!- DO NOT LOOK IT DIRECTLY IN THE EYES — THAT IS A CHALLENGE TO FIGHT!- Instead, look above the head, at the chest, back, or sides — but not directly into the eyes!- Don’t shoot immediately (if armed);- Don’t scream or shriek;- Don’t throw objects;- Don’t use fire or flares right away.

It’s always MUCH SAFER to calmly disengage and avoid confrontation. 

FOURTH.

ALWAYS BE PREPARED.

Since childhood, growing up in the mountains, we were taught how to behave around wild animals. We often encountered wolves and bears. My great-grandfathers used to say: wild animals don’t understand firearms if they’ve never experienced them. Showing a rifle won’t scare them. 

But every wild creature instinctively understands one thing — FIRE! 

That’s why we always carried fire when going into the wilderness — anything that could be quickly used as a source of flame. 

Fortunately, throughout my childhood and all my later expeditions deep in the Russian Taiga, predators never once attacked us. Usually, they moved away as soon as they sensed humans nearby. Even in winter, wolf packs avoided us long before any contact. Bears behave the same way. 

Now, about fire. 

Fire has scared animals since ancient times. They know it well! Today, modern flares or handheld signal torches are considered by many experts the best deterrent. 

BUT a flare must be:

- kept close at hand, not buried in a backpack;- used quickly and confidently — so practice beforehand!

My advice: buy several flares and always carry them. Test one after purchase to learn proper use. 

When traveling in the wild, I always keep two flares in my backpack and one in my waist bag — where I also store everything I might need to grab instantly in an emergency. 

My great-grandfather used to say: in the taiga, always keep a good knife and fire with you — these two things should become part of you. 

As children, we were given knives and taught to handle them safely. We were given fire and taught to use it responsibly, without harming nature. 

These are simple yet vital lessons every person should know. 

But the sad truth is that modern people are completely detached from nature — most no longer know how to behave when facing a predator. Almost all attacks happen when people panic and run at the sight of a bear or tiger. 

And if you run — you are prey. That’s the law of nature. 

REMEMBER — IN A CRITICAL SITUATION, THEORY VANISHES IMMEDIATELY!

ONLY TRAINED, AUTOMATIC REFLEXES REMAIN! 

I don’t know how useful my advice will be to you — or what you might learn from other safety guides. I hope at least some of it will help.

But one thing is certain — stupidity combined with overconfidence is deadly! Firearms, flare guns, signal torches, sprays — none of these guarantee safety. They are tools for extreme situations only. 

THE REAL TASK IS TO AVOID CONFRONTATION WITH A WILD ANIMAL ALTOGETHER!

© Pavel Pashkov