I watched this video last Thursday, then early yesterday (Monday) morning I had my first mountain lion encounter near Payson, Arizona on an overnight backpacking trip with a friend. I was awoken to something running through my camp just after sunrise... when I looked out my shelter the mountain lion was about four feet away. So, I just starting yelling "Get out of hear!" really loudly and fiercely. The mountain lion seemed to be spooked when I started yelling and it just started running faster, eventually looked back at me then took off down the hill after I yelled even louder. So, thank you for the advice it seemed to work pretty good! Even though it was scary at the time, I'm still glad I got to see one in the wild.
@@ExquisiteTouch.M.M.P Dude! Since that event 7 years ago, I've actually had another mountain lion encounter in the wild at the base of the Rincon Mountains near Tucson. It was no joke! This one had just taken down an adult deer and was still panting from the struggle when I came upon it. Plain and simple, I ran and got out of there as quickly as possible. The fact is when you hike a lot by yourself you see a lot more wildlife.
@@McClueFamily was ya smoking PCP or peyote this time? 😂 Again I'm just teasing with you. Relax! I believe you. I grew up hunting and fishing myself. More so fishing but I most certainly had my fair share of adventures in the outdoors. Few bear encounters. Of course bears are quite normal to see in the smokey mountains. Went there when I was in boyscouts for one of our trips. Great times. Most recent bear encounter was in Whitney point NY when I first moved up to NY. That one was by myself and it charged at me from my back right side. Stopped dead in it's tracks as soon as I turned to see what it was I was hearing coming towards me. Was about 15 feet staring a big black bear eye to eye. Slowly side stepped away and yelled for my 2 German shepherds that was completely oblivious to it. They was out playing in the tail grass being dogs. Got around the bend on path and the dogs came up wagging away. Still oblivious. Put them on their leash , still looking behind me, got about another 10 or so steps and took of like a bat outta hell. 😂 I like the outdoors . But don't venture alone much any longer. Unfortunately it's not just wildlife ya gotta watch out for , these days have some deranged ass characters out there to . ( Humans). Above was real but I got a bear story I'm going to share with ya, hopefully ya like it.
@@McClueFamily about 15 years ago I was visiting my grandmother in Montana. She has an old style cabin that is now renovated to have running water and a bathroom and all. But it's still cool cause it also has an old outhouse about 30 steps from cabin. Sits on one of the bigger lakes in Montana with now a ski resort on the mountain across the lake. Anyway I was about 30 at the time and like you I enjoyed strolling through the forest. So I packed enough food and gear for a full day and evening hike and a little fishing. ( Always carried emergency gear and rations along) I left just right as the sun just barely started to rise. Hiked a good 8-9 miles towards the nearest town. Stopped had lunch . Saw a few moose in the distance. A gigantic bull . This thing was huge. A little further I saw a sal with her calves. ( If that's the right name for female moose?) . All kinds of little critters. Was a great day . Came across a new little pond I haven't seen. Was nice cause I usually fish lakes which you know is usually low elevation in the valleys. Well I came across this little pond that was right near the very top of a big slope down the mountain where the nearest town was. Was cool and right next to some berry bushes. Well I decided that I would pick myself a little bit of berry, sit down , and throw my line in for awhile. Sat my ass down on a log and just chilling for a moment. What do you know what a beautiful day and I get a nibble on the end of my line. Couldn't be more beautiful right? So I hooked into a fish and excited started to reel her in . I flipped the fish onto the land and turned around to see this giant ass brown bear.( Griz ) . HOLLY SHIT! About 30 feet or so away and it started coming directly at me. I figured it wanted the fish so I calmly put my pole down and started to slowly and calmly back away. Like a dumbass my backpack with bearspray and my Ruger was leaned up against a tree now in the middle of me and the bear. It was coming towards me and I sure in hell wouldn't had got to it before the bear got to me. I just thought it was wanting the fish so I still casually continued to back step. I was now getting closer to the slope and ended up tripping over something. Still don't know what it was but that was my mistake. I don't know what it was if it was me falling that triggered him or he didn't want just the fish after all but he came charging . I was scared shitless and freaked out. Didn't try holding my ground or anything just ran for it. Well he came after me. I went down the hill and somehow was doing pretty good. There was a couple times that I could feel the bear catching up and I would jump and grab onto a tree and like a cartoon the bear sled and tumbled right by me. I couldn't believe it I thought I was going to die up on the side of a mountain and nobody would ever find me. Freaking terrified but I guess my adrenaline gave me a power greater than myself because I kept on. All the way down the mountainside this bear was on my ass literally. If it wasn't for me grabbing that tree and him sliding and tumbling I would be a goner. So I made it all the way down and luckily made it to a road where a big truck and just passed . I'm guessing it's what may have scared the bear? But I got away from him. I went in the first open business I could find. Was a little antique shop owned by a middle aged couple. I'm completely out of breath , soaked in sweat, and according the them they said I was white as a ghost. They asked if I was alright and I pretty much collapsed by their counter. Nice couple they got me some water and his wife got a wet rag and rubbed my head for awhile . They didn't know what to think but they went to call paramedis and I was able to at least wave and squeeze out an I'll be o.k . So after a little time I was up sitting on a chair and had my breath back. Of course they wanted to know what had happened. So I told them the story pretty much like I'm telling you. That man stood up ,looked at me and said..... Wow young man your very lucky, if that would had been me I would of shit my pants.... I said WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BEAR WAS SLIDING IN! 😂 😂 Sorry I know it was a bit before the punchline but I hope you like it and can share it. Obviously this bear story was b.s but the first text was 💯. With that I will wish you a good journey. Stay safe 👍
I’ve had two cougar encounters in my life. Once when I was driving and looking for coyotes because I was bored and I saw it going up the side of a hill. It booked it after I saw it but still pretty cool. Another time, I was camping with my dog and a cougar was pacing around the tent. I could hear it’s low growling, or purring, when it breathed out and I saw the shadow through the moonlight. When the sun rose, there were cat prints all over my campsite.
I actually enjoy coming across snakes. The largest venomous snake I have come across was a timber rattlesnake that was about 5 feet long, as thick as my forearm, and unfortunately very dead (looked like some a-hole came through before me saw it and killed it). Mountain lions on the other hand do worry me, but the only 2 times I have come across them in the wild one time it actively tried to get away from me as fast as possible, and the second time it wasn't as bothered by me, but it also was in no way interested in me, and that encounter was with a very large lion, at a distance of about 5 feet.
Here in Australia for snake bite, we use a constricting bandage that is wrapped firmly around as much as the bitten limb as possible. It is not a tourniquet, but a way to restrict the lymph system transmitting the venom around your body. It alone can save your life, walking after being bitten can hasten the spread of the venom.
Russell Moore I imagine snake bites there are different because of the types of snakes. Coral snakes are the most potent here, but bites are very very rare. The other three are usually not deadly. I’m no expert, but that might be the reason there is a difference in how to handle the bites in the US?
Totally agree. Latest best practice in Australia also stipulates do not irrigate area. Stay put, don't move limb and get help to come to victim when ever possible.
We have cytotoxic/hemotoxic venom in the US most of the time. Because of this, pressure bandages aren't recommended here. If we constrict the area, we pool the venom in one limb, causing massive tissue damage. In Australia, there are many (almost guaranteed lethal if untreated) neurotoxic snakes, so pressure bandages are good there. It stops the deadly neurotoxins from spreading.
Good video. Here in Louisiana, we get quite a few snakes. The copperheads tend to be the most scary as they want to stand their ground. Keeping your eyes open and avoidance is always good advice. Thanks for sharing.
I met a Lynx on a road one evening in Northern Ontario. I wasn't afraid because I had never heard of them being dangerous. We just watched each other for a bit and it moved off. Cool cat.
Spot on and accurate information. I been hiking and handling rattlesnakes for over 45 years. I teach K9 Rattlesnake aversion classes, So I know a little bit about snakes. I went through the wilderness safety classes over 30 years ago. The same safety for Mountain Lions also works on wild aggressive dogs and even bears! Great information!!! Spot on!!
Every time I get to view a cougar or bobcat on the trail, trek or climb I feel blessed. Magnificent creatures. The reptiles are pretty cool too- but far to easy to step on while they sleep on the trail or startle from sleep as they set on rocks along the trail or banks.
Trailken1 Yeah, I'm with you on that. I've never seen a cougar but I've almost stepped on a handful of snakes. Definitely have to be aware when hiking in snake country. Thanks for the comment!
I have had many cougar encounters, And I find if you offer to buy them a drink, and keep the conversation light and non-threatening… It goes pretty well!
I remember open air camping with two of my friends. We were in sleeping bags on a tarp with no overhead cover. We were almost asleep when I felt a large heavy snake crawling across my abdomen, and told Ray not to freak out because the snake was going to slither across him next. We then tried to warn Scott but he was already asleep. We were not really frightened but it was quite an encounter.
If you see a Coral Snake it has a Black Nose , Think the Black Nosed SOB , A Scarlet King Snake ( a good and beneficial snake ) has a Red Nose. The easiest way to tell the difference is with the nose colors. Basically if you leave the snakes alone they will leave you alone. The one with a really bad attitude is the Water Moccasin and even they will leave you alone if you give them some lea way.
On the rare occasions that a cougar attacks, it is often a person who is running or jogging. These attacks are often by juveniles and are instinctive in nature. Think of a house cat with a tempting mouse toy on the end of a string or a laser pointer. It is best not to jog in cougar country and never run if you encounter one on the trail.
I really enjoy these videos...my wife and I are preparing for a two night backpacking trip in the Adirondack Mtns. of Upstate New York and I think I have watched them all. Great advice!
Man you have excellent videos! Thourough yet concise, great music and intro. I instantly subscribed, greatly appreciate your effort to share such valuable information helping to keep people & nature safe! Best of luck to you! Thanks a million!
Actually, just to get technical, jaguars are the largest cats in North America (maybe someone has already pointed this out), not uncommon in Mexico and points south from there. And there now appear to be very small breeding populations of Jaguars in the extreme southern areas of Arizona, and possibly Texas, from what I've read. A few years back, _Backpacker_ magazine listed the jaguar as one of the species to be found in the lower elevations of the Sky Island Mountains in Arizona. That's kind of exciting, having a roaring cat back in the U.S. years after they were wiped out. I hope they expand their territory once again.
Do you know how to treat a snake bite in the wilderness? What would you do if you came face-to-face with a mountain lion on the trail? Check out this week's Essential Trail Skills episode for Snake & Cougar safety tips. Enjoy! th-cam.com/video/onLNvCssDUo/w-d-xo.html
The answer to the first question is easy: if it attacks, you fight. kick it, punch it, go for the eyes and ears -- get mad at it, be aggressive. Chances are, you're bigger than it is. A few mountain lions get to as much as 250 pounds, but most are smaller. Otherwise, posture, as the video says. Make noise, look as big as you can, and face it down. As for your second question, cat behavior is cat behavior. If its tail is twitching, that's a sign that it's aroused -- not good. If its ears are forward, that a sign of aggression or at least curiosity. Ears back, even if it's snarling or screaming (the noise they make can be blood curdling), is defensive, if it makes a move toward you, charge it. It will almost certainly run. A mountain lion nearly always attacks from behind; a frontal assault is far less likely.
I only carry it for possible emergency situations, but I do carry bear spray, cause I don't want to have to use it on the animals if I don't have to, just in a life or death situation, cause most of the time it won't bring down the animal right away then it will possibly run off and die somewhere else at some point.
Taurus Judge is fantastic. You can load it with .410 shotgun shells and .45 long colt centerfire pistol cartridges. Bear spray is not only effective against bears it also works on cougars too. Firearms are only 50-70% effective while bear spray is 90%.
Bro...those figures on virtually everyone surviving snakebites are primarily because virtually everyone bitten in the US gets antivenom treatment. Even if a bite isn't fatal it can be very serious. In the Army, I was a primarily a medic on a team in Honduras near the Nicaraguan border. While conducting support ops a guy on my team got bitten by a Barba Amarillo (Fer de Lance). I had antivenom at our base camp and he was medivaced out to Tegucigalpa and eventually to Panama and back to Fort Bragg. He ended up losing Three fingers off of his left hand. Avoid snakes if you can and if you're bitten seek help IMMEDIATELY or ASAP!
Oregon is one of the most northern of the United States. Rattlesnakes are fairly common in the eastern part of the state which has the coldest winter compared to the western half of the state.
The thing about seeing mountain lions is you usually just see the ass end with that long tail. Live in the mountains of North Carolina, everyone says there are no mountain lions here, sorry had one run right in front of my car on a dirt road. First I thought it was a large dog, but dogs don't have the flat face and long tail like cats do.
After 30 seconds of bleeding. If able is using clean water and a zip lock baggie with small holes. To create a "manual flushing system" the ideal option?
Just a quick question, what's the thinking behind washing the bite site? In Australia, we're taught not to wash the bite site, as the venom around the bite can be used to identify the family of snake that bit you and therefore what anti-venom you need. Is this not done in the US?
Huh, good question! My guess is that we have many fewer venomous snakes in the US, so the identification process is different than in Australia. But to be honest, I'm not quite sure.
Dave Collins No worries, I'm tipping if they needed the venom around the bite site the medical authorities would indicate as much. Great vid, always interesting to see how things are done on different continents due to the differing nature of the wildlife. Thanks for the brilliant videos, you've been a huge help.
I downloaded two PDF's on my phone, one from Aussie oy oy oy land and the other from USA, oddly enough they both had the exact same filename (Snake-bites-fact-sheet.pdf) which made my phone ask me if I want to download the same file again! But the Ozzie one (QLD) said to apply a tourniquet (well actually they said pressure bandage) and the one from the American Hiking society said Do not do that!
Dave Collins all of the venomous snakes (with the exception of the coral snake) in the U.S. are in the same family, and the antivenin we have in the states can be used for any snake you will be bitten by except for the coral snake, so identification of the species is not really critical for treatment here in the U.S.
I know what they say about sucking the wound, but I also know that you can get some of the venom out of the wound, if you apply good suction fast enough. Some snakebite kits have very strong suction devices, and if bitten, I am going to use it. I've never seen damage from these devices, and any venom you get out helps. I live pretty far north, and we have long, cold winters. We also have a lot of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and water moccasins. Of the three, copperheads worry most back country people the most. Rattlesnakes have stronger venom, but rattlesnakes are timid, and will do their best to avoid a person. Copperheads can be very aggressive, and are far more likely to bite you.
Thanks for the comment James! The literature I've read and the experts I trust say not to suck out the venom or use a suction device. So that's why I recommend not doing that. If you know of any studies that suggest otherwise please let me know. Thanks!
Good video. And, as usual, there are a lot of cute comments below. That said, I have a friend who was bitten by a rattler in the cul-de-sac of her neighborhood in Tucson years ago. She didn't even have to walk out of the wilderness. She was in the hospital for weeks and, now 20 years later, has suffered permanent nerve damage in that leg. They finally gave her anti-venom in the hospital... (they held off for a while since she didn't have insurance at the time) which saved her. I've often wondered what would have happened if she'd been bitten up in the mountains near her home. Apparently, access to medical help is key... providing medical help is available. For example, in India elifesciences.org estimates 58,000 deaths from snakebite per year (the highest death rate in the world)... with most occurring at home in rural areas... where access to medical care is diminished. Like you said, it is of paramount importance to be mindful of one's surroundings and avoid taking chances.
I had my 1st & only cougar encounter so far, at Big Bend National Park, when I was 13. I was in a small canyon like area that was a cliff on one end, where I was looking out to the landscape beyond. When I turned around, there was a cougar about 20' from me. I had a cliff behind me, rocky walls next to me, & a cougar blocking my only exit. I didn't know what to do so I just stood there, the cat & I staring at each other. Then the cat laid down sphinx style. Tired myself, I sat down Indian style. It was like the scene from Conan the Barbarian, where he sat staring at his 1st arena opponent. The cat & I just stared at each other for almost an hour. Then the cougar calmly got up & walked away.
LN Laughlin Well you could carry a smoker with you just in case of a killer bee attack. Use the smoker to smoke yourself & the bees won't sting... or at least not as many. How it works? .... Smoke disrupts the bee's chemical communication. It literally confuses them so they become docile. Not sure how practical that solution is though. LOL
Actually, the number one killer in the U.S. is... wait for it... DEER. No joke. They're involved in 1.4 million car wrecks annually, killing as many as 200 people per year. Bees, on average, kill about 50. And since 2010, there have been only six documented lethal alligator attacks on humans in the U.S. (there are American crocodiles, but they are confined to coastal areas of southern Florida, and are comparatively rare).
great job on this video. you have covered snakes, cougars, and bears. now you should do a video on what to do if you encounter freaky scary people. hillbillies that would like nothing more then to eat you for dinner. Or if you stumble on to some crazy cult meeting in the forest. or some killers on the run in a mountain hideout. what about scary people on the trail?
Guess I'm one of the lucky backpackers to come across a mountain lion in its natural habitat when on foot and black bears for that matter too. I can't explain the feeling too well but it's a lot like oh f@ck😂😂. Always carry a deterrent is all I can say💩
Just a few days ago two mountain bikers were attacked by a cougar, they fought the cougar off wich had returned later to kill one of the mountain bikers while the other successfully got away
Cougars will go for the mouth and neck area. They are pretty common in the Utah back country. They are the reason I think its important to carry a gun when solo hiking in the wilderness areas in Utah. In our town here a housing development was started that backed up to the BLM land. They caught and trapped 10 cougars the first year alone that were coming into the area being developed.
Dave Collins? I doubt you ever read comments on your video. But if you come to my comment please look into the death and disappearance of bowhunter and bear biologist Bart shyler. He went missing in the Yukon on a solo moose Hunting trip in September of 2004. All that was found of him was his baclava/hunting mask with slight bit of his blood inside.also his camo pants a camera and partial skull and teeth. No Boots or other clothing was ever found. Mr Collins I just want your opinion on what happened to a bear biologist and bowhunter that was a supreme Hunter. Again missing in the Yukon 2004 moose Hunting trip Solo. People are saying Sasquatch got him? Lol give your opinion if you get time to read the case.thanks Dave.
This video should have included what park rangers in cougar country do to avoid a cougar attack from behind, they wear jackets with eyes painted on the back.
This information needs to include the mohave green. I have personally watch in the last 2 weeks 3 donkeys and 1 horse and 2 dogs all die horrible deaths from the mohave green rattlesnake.
So they stomp their feet and then immediately go through the brushy area? Sorry, but snakes don't move that fast. They will still be there to bite and now they are fully aware you are coming. When if you didn't do that, they might not be aware in time to bite. Yeah, great safety tip man! If you're in camp, then yes, a lot of noise helps to keep them away. Following his advice would be a great way to get bit when you might not have if you didn't follow that stupid tip. And if bitten, wait a couple of minutes for it to bleed, then clean, keep them from moving, MAKE A MAKESHIFT STRETCHER etc. etc. By then they have lost several precious minutes or a half hour while you're trying to figure the whole stretcher thing. Minutes that should spent getting to a hospital. By then, the venom is well into doing it's damage and the person won't be able to even walk on their own and will probably die there. Yeah, great advice man. This guy is a complete idiot. Do NOT follow most of his advice is you want to survive. And the up votes on this video just go to show how little people do know what is good or bad advice. And the best part is when he says there is a lot of false information on the subject. Which he proves with his horrible advice. Lol! True good advice is to get to the hospital ASAP. Period! Whatever is the fastest way to make that happen is what is good advice. And most of the time it will require the person to walk. If you're really out in the wild, then most likely you're going to be taking a helicopter ride. That with a dozen or two vials of Crofab antivenin and a 2 to 5 hundred thousand dollar hospital bill and you're good to go. Lol! When in the vehicle to get there, then they should move as little as possible. Do NOT DO ANYTHING other than get to the hospital asap. Do no try any form of first aid other than yes, remove anything restricting the area. Socks, rings, etc.
ICSharp25 @ The only snakebite kit that has any value in treating a snakebite is the one that is on the market by Sawyer products called the Sawyer extractor. But it is only effective if used within 5 minutes of the bite. Don't use the kits that contain a scalpel blade and rubber suction cups. They are very dangerous and will not remove much venom.
No you didn't. It's best to listen to more than one opinion when it comes to snake bite kits. Many people who have had to use them said they're uber glad they did.
I watched this video last Thursday, then early yesterday (Monday) morning I had my first mountain lion encounter near Payson, Arizona on an overnight backpacking trip with a friend. I was awoken to something running through my camp just after sunrise... when I looked out my shelter the mountain lion was about four feet away. So, I just starting yelling "Get out of hear!" really loudly and fiercely. The mountain lion seemed to be spooked when I started yelling and it just started running faster, eventually looked back at me then took off down the hill after I yelled even louder. So, thank you for the advice it seemed to work pretty good! Even though it was scary at the time, I'm still glad I got to see one in the wild.
I have some wild stories from hallucinating on drugs to. 😂
I'm just messing with ya. Fun experience eh?
@@ExquisiteTouch.M.M.P Dude! Since that event 7 years ago, I've actually had another mountain lion encounter in the wild at the base of the Rincon Mountains near Tucson. It was no joke! This one had just taken down an adult deer and was still panting from the struggle when I came upon it. Plain and simple, I ran and got out of there as quickly as possible. The fact is when you hike a lot by yourself you see a lot more wildlife.
@@McClueFamily was ya smoking PCP or peyote this time? 😂
Again I'm just teasing with you. Relax! I believe you.
I grew up hunting and fishing myself. More so fishing but I most certainly had my fair share of adventures in the outdoors. Few bear encounters. Of course bears are quite normal to see in the smokey mountains. Went there when I was in boyscouts for one of our trips. Great times.
Most recent bear encounter was in Whitney point NY when I first moved up to NY. That one was by myself and it charged at me from my back right side. Stopped dead in it's tracks as soon as I turned to see what it was I was hearing coming towards me. Was about 15 feet staring a big black bear eye to eye. Slowly side stepped away and yelled for my 2 German shepherds that was completely oblivious to it. They was out playing in the tail grass being dogs.
Got around the bend on path and the dogs came up wagging away. Still oblivious. Put them on their leash , still looking behind me, got about another 10 or so steps and took of like a bat outta hell. 😂 I like the outdoors . But don't venture alone much any longer. Unfortunately it's not just wildlife ya gotta watch out for , these days have some deranged ass characters out there to . ( Humans).
Above was real but I got a bear story I'm going to share with ya, hopefully ya like it.
@@McClueFamily about 15 years ago I was visiting my grandmother in Montana. She has an old style cabin that is now renovated to have running water and a bathroom and all. But it's still cool cause it also has an old outhouse about 30 steps from cabin. Sits on one of the bigger lakes in Montana with now a ski resort on the mountain across the lake.
Anyway I was about 30 at the time and like you I enjoyed strolling through the forest. So I packed enough food and gear for a full day and evening hike and a little fishing. ( Always carried emergency gear and rations along)
I left just right as the sun just barely started to rise. Hiked a good 8-9 miles towards the nearest town. Stopped had lunch . Saw a few moose in the distance. A gigantic bull . This thing was huge. A little further I saw a sal with her calves. ( If that's the right name for female moose?) . All kinds of little critters. Was a great day . Came across a new little pond I haven't seen. Was nice cause I usually fish lakes which you know is usually low elevation in the valleys. Well I came across this little pond that was right near the very top of a big slope down the mountain where the nearest town was. Was cool and right next to some berry bushes. Well I decided that I would pick myself a little bit of berry, sit down , and throw my line in for awhile. Sat my ass down on a log and just chilling for a moment. What do you know what a beautiful day and I get a nibble on the end of my line. Couldn't be more beautiful right?
So I hooked into a fish and excited started to reel her in . I flipped the fish onto the land and turned around to see this giant ass brown bear.( Griz ) . HOLLY SHIT! About 30 feet or so away and it started coming directly at me. I figured it wanted the fish so I calmly put my pole down and started to slowly and calmly back away. Like a dumbass my backpack with bearspray and my Ruger was leaned up against a tree now in the middle of me and the bear. It was coming towards me and I sure in hell wouldn't had got to it before the bear got to me. I just thought it was wanting the fish so I still casually continued to back step. I was now getting closer to the slope and ended up tripping over something. Still don't know what it was but that was my mistake. I don't know what it was if it was me falling that triggered him or he didn't want just the fish after all but he came charging . I was scared shitless and freaked out. Didn't try holding my ground or anything just ran for it. Well he came after me. I went down the hill and somehow was doing pretty good. There was a couple times that I could feel the bear catching up and I would jump and grab onto a tree and like a cartoon the bear sled and tumbled right by me. I couldn't believe it I thought I was going to die up on the side of a mountain and nobody would ever find me. Freaking terrified but I guess my adrenaline gave me a power greater than myself because I kept on. All the way down the mountainside this bear was on my ass literally. If it wasn't for me grabbing that tree and him sliding and tumbling I would be a goner.
So I made it all the way down and luckily made it to a road where a big truck and just passed . I'm guessing it's what may have scared the bear? But I got away from him.
I went in the first open business I could find. Was a little antique shop owned by a middle aged couple. I'm completely out of breath , soaked in sweat, and according the them they said I was white as a ghost. They asked if I was alright and I pretty much collapsed by their counter. Nice couple they got me some water and his wife got a wet rag and rubbed my head for awhile . They didn't know what to think but they went to call paramedis and I was able to at least wave and squeeze out an I'll be o.k . So after a little time I was up sitting on a chair and had my breath back. Of course they wanted to know what had happened. So I told them the story pretty much like I'm telling you. That man stood up ,looked at me and said..... Wow young man your very lucky, if that would had been me I would of shit my pants.... I said WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BEAR WAS SLIDING IN! 😂 😂
Sorry I know it was a bit before the punchline but I hope you like it and can share it. Obviously this bear story was b.s but the first text was 💯. With that I will wish you a good journey. Stay safe 👍
I’ve had two cougar encounters in my life. Once when I was driving and looking for coyotes because I was bored and I saw it going up the side of a hill. It booked it after I saw it but still pretty cool.
Another time, I was camping with my dog and a cougar was pacing around the tent. I could hear it’s low growling, or purring, when it breathed out and I saw the shadow through the moonlight. When the sun rose, there were cat prints all over my campsite.
I actually enjoy coming across snakes. The largest venomous snake I have come across was a timber rattlesnake that was about 5 feet long, as thick as my forearm, and unfortunately very dead (looked like some a-hole came through before me saw it and killed it). Mountain lions on the other hand do worry me, but the only 2 times I have come across them in the wild one time it actively tried to get away from me as fast as possible, and the second time it wasn't as bothered by me, but it also was in no way interested in me, and that encounter was with a very large lion, at a distance of about 5 feet.
Waw
How that went? What did you do ?
Here in Australia for snake bite, we use a constricting bandage that is wrapped firmly around as much as the bitten limb as possible. It is not a tourniquet, but a way to restrict the lymph system transmitting the venom around your body. It alone can save your life, walking after being bitten can hasten the spread of the venom.
Russell Moore I imagine snake bites there are different because of the types of snakes. Coral snakes are the most potent here, but bites are very very rare. The other three are usually not deadly. I’m no expert, but that might be the reason there is a difference in how to handle the bites in the US?
Totally agree. Latest best practice in Australia also stipulates do not irrigate area. Stay put, don't move limb and get help to come to victim when ever possible.
We have cytotoxic/hemotoxic venom in the US most of the time. Because of this, pressure bandages aren't recommended here. If we constrict the area, we pool the venom in one limb, causing massive tissue damage. In Australia, there are many (almost guaranteed lethal if untreated) neurotoxic snakes, so pressure bandages are good there. It stops the deadly neurotoxins from spreading.
Good video.
Here in Louisiana, we get quite a few snakes. The copperheads tend to be the most scary as they want to stand their ground. Keeping your eyes open and avoidance is always good advice. Thanks for sharing.
1wetpaint Thanks! Good input on copperheads too. Have a good one!
I met a Lynx on a road one evening in Northern Ontario. I wasn't afraid because I had never heard of them being dangerous. We just watched each other for a bit and it moved off. Cool cat.
Spot on and accurate information. I been hiking and handling rattlesnakes for over 45 years. I teach K9 Rattlesnake aversion classes, So I know a little bit about snakes. I went through the wilderness safety classes over 30 years ago. The same safety for Mountain Lions also works on wild aggressive dogs and even bears! Great information!!! Spot on!!
Well done, Dave! I am an "old" backpacker and it's great to see essential information provided to the newbies coming along.
Linda Randall Thank you very much Linda!
Every time I get to view a cougar or bobcat on the trail, trek or climb I feel blessed. Magnificent creatures. The reptiles are pretty cool too- but far to easy to step on while they sleep on the trail or startle from sleep as they set on rocks along the trail or banks.
Trailken1 Yeah, I'm with you on that. I've never seen a cougar but I've almost stepped on a handful of snakes. Definitely have to be aware when hiking in snake country. Thanks for the comment!
I have had many cougar encounters, And I find if you offer to buy them a drink, and keep the conversation light and non-threatening… It goes pretty well!
I remember open air camping with two of my friends. We were in sleeping bags on a tarp with no overhead cover. We were almost asleep when I felt a large heavy snake crawling across my abdomen, and told Ray not to freak out because the snake was going to slither across him next. We then tried to warn Scott but he was already asleep.
We were not really frightened but it was quite an encounter.
If you see a Coral Snake it has a Black Nose , Think the Black Nosed SOB , A Scarlet King Snake ( a good and beneficial snake ) has a Red Nose. The easiest way to tell the difference is with the nose colors. Basically if you leave the snakes alone they will leave you alone. The one with a really bad attitude is the Water Moccasin and even they will leave you alone if you give them some lea way.
Good tips!
On the rare occasions that a cougar attacks, it is often a person who is running or jogging. These attacks are often by juveniles and are instinctive in nature. Think of a house cat with a tempting mouse toy on the end of a string or a laser pointer. It is best not to jog in cougar country and never run if you encounter one on the trail.
Agreed, very good advice. Thanks for the input!
I really enjoy these videos...my wife and I are preparing for a two night backpacking trip in the Adirondack Mtns. of Upstate New York and I think I have watched them all. Great advice!
C.M. Dwyer Thanks so much C.M.! I really appreciate that.
C.M. Dwyer You won’t necessarily find cougars there (unless you go into Canada) but definitely you will find venomous snakes in the summer.
@@harrisn3693 I think it’s a little late to tell him this lol
Man you have excellent videos! Thourough yet concise, great music and intro. I instantly subscribed, greatly appreciate your effort to share such valuable information helping to keep people & nature safe! Best of luck to you! Thanks a million!
Actually, just to get technical, jaguars are the largest cats in North America (maybe someone has already pointed this out), not uncommon in Mexico and points south from there. And there now appear to be very small breeding populations of Jaguars in the extreme southern areas of Arizona, and possibly Texas, from what I've read. A few years back, _Backpacker_ magazine listed the jaguar as one of the species to be found in the lower elevations of the Sky Island Mountains in Arizona. That's kind of exciting, having a roaring cat back in the U.S. years after they were wiped out. I hope they expand their territory once again.
Oh, and another great video!
Thanks for the info! Good to know.
Do you know how to treat a snake bite in the wilderness? What would you do if you came face-to-face with a mountain lion on the trail?
Check out this week's Essential Trail Skills episode for Snake & Cougar safety tips. Enjoy!
th-cam.com/video/onLNvCssDUo/w-d-xo.html
Haha, I hear you. Nostalgia can add a lot to backpacking trips.
+Dave Collins (CleverHiker) So how do you know when to fight the mountain lion? How do you know if it's going attack?
The answer to the first question is easy: if it attacks, you fight. kick it, punch it, go for the eyes and ears -- get mad at it, be aggressive. Chances are, you're bigger than it is. A few mountain lions get to as much as 250 pounds, but most are smaller. Otherwise, posture, as the video says. Make noise, look as big as you can, and face it down. As for your second question, cat behavior is cat behavior. If its tail is twitching, that's a sign that it's aroused -- not good. If its ears are forward, that a sign of aggression or at least curiosity. Ears back, even if it's snarling or screaming (the noise they make can be blood curdling), is defensive, if it makes a move toward you, charge it. It will almost certainly run. A mountain lion nearly always attacks from behind; a frontal assault is far less likely.
Thats why I usually pack a gun while backpacking.
Ya I hear you, I do to.
I only carry it for possible emergency situations, but I do carry bear spray, cause I don't want to have to use it on the animals if I don't have to, just in a life or death situation, cause most of the time it won't bring down the animal right away then it will possibly run off and die somewhere else at some point.
Taurus Judge is fantastic. You can load it with .410 shotgun shells and .45 long colt centerfire pistol cartridges. Bear spray is not only effective against bears it also works on cougars too. Firearms are only 50-70% effective while bear spray is 90%.
Bear spray is most efficent
Caleb Hodson wut? A bullet is 100% effective if it kills the damn thing.
As always, great video Dave. I am always excited to see what outdoor topics you are going to address next!
Drew Watts Thanks so much for the comment Drew! I appreciate your support.
Bro...those figures on virtually everyone surviving snakebites are primarily because virtually everyone bitten in the US gets antivenom treatment. Even if a bite isn't fatal it can be very serious. In the Army, I was a primarily a medic on a team in Honduras near the Nicaraguan border. While conducting support ops a guy on my team got bitten by a Barba Amarillo (Fer de Lance). I had antivenom at our base camp and he was medivaced out to Tegucigalpa and eventually to Panama and back to Fort Bragg. He ended up losing Three fingers off of his left hand. Avoid snakes if you can and if you're bitten seek help IMMEDIATELY or ASAP!
Ugh, lanceheads. I'm sorry your friend got bit.
Oregon is one of the most northern of the United States. Rattlesnakes are fairly common in the eastern part of the state which has the coldest winter compared to the western half of the state.
There are rattlesnakes in Canada.
The thing about seeing mountain lions is you usually just see the ass end with that long tail. Live in the mountains of North Carolina, everyone says there are no mountain lions here, sorry had one run right in front of my car on a dirt road. First I thought it was a large dog, but dogs don't have the flat face and long tail like cats do.
good info, but rattle snakes can strike 2/3rds of their body length not half
After 30 seconds of bleeding. If able is using clean water and a zip lock baggie with small holes. To create a "manual flushing system" the ideal option?
Just a quick question, what's the thinking behind washing the bite site? In Australia, we're taught not to wash the bite site, as the venom around the bite can be used to identify the family of snake that bit you and therefore what anti-venom you need. Is this not done in the US?
Huh, good question! My guess is that we have many fewer venomous snakes in the US, so the identification process is different than in Australia. But to be honest, I'm not quite sure.
Dave Collins No worries, I'm tipping if they needed the venom around the bite site the medical authorities would indicate as much. Great vid, always interesting to see how things are done on different continents due to the differing nature of the wildlife. Thanks for the brilliant videos, you've been a huge help.
Aussie Terry Thanks Terry!
I downloaded two PDF's on my phone, one from Aussie oy oy oy land and the other from USA, oddly enough they both had the exact same filename (Snake-bites-fact-sheet.pdf) which made my phone ask me if I want to download the same file again! But the Ozzie one (QLD) said to apply a tourniquet (well actually they said pressure bandage) and the one from the American Hiking society said Do not do that!
Dave Collins all of the venomous snakes (with the exception of the coral snake) in the U.S. are in the same family, and the antivenin we have in the states can be used for any snake you will be bitten by except for the coral snake, so identification of the species is not really critical for treatment here in the U.S.
I know what they say about sucking the wound, but I also know that you can get some of the venom out of the wound, if you apply good suction fast enough. Some snakebite kits have very strong suction devices, and if bitten, I am going to use it. I've never seen damage from these devices, and any venom you get out helps. I live pretty far north, and we have long, cold winters. We also have a lot of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and water moccasins. Of the three, copperheads worry most back country people the most. Rattlesnakes have stronger venom, but rattlesnakes are timid, and will do their best to avoid a person. Copperheads can be very aggressive, and are far more likely to bite you.
Thanks for the comment James! The literature I've read and the experts I trust say not to suck out the venom or use a suction device. So that's why I recommend not doing that. If you know of any studies that suggest otherwise please let me know. Thanks!
Thank you so much for very informative video!
You are so very welcome! Thank you for the kind words.
How effective are high leather boots (like combat boots) against snake bite?
better than sandals for sure .
Would an air horn, flare or bear spray be effective for cougars?
I would think so .
So if your say 15 miles out on a hike and get bit are you better off trying to walk out, or use an SOS beacon if you have one?
Thank you for the information. Can Bear repellant be used for mtn lions?
it's worth a shot. find a big stick too if you can .
Yes I’ve seen a video where someone used it on a cougar. It ran away. It’s just pepper spray so any mammal will likely react to being sprayed.
Good video. And, as usual, there are a lot of cute comments below. That said, I have a friend who was bitten by a rattler in the cul-de-sac of her neighborhood in Tucson years ago. She didn't even have to walk out of the wilderness. She was in the hospital for weeks and, now 20 years later, has suffered permanent nerve damage in that leg. They finally gave her anti-venom in the hospital... (they held off for a while since she didn't have insurance at the time) which saved her. I've often wondered what would have happened if she'd been bitten up in the mountains near her home.
Apparently, access to medical help is key... providing medical help is available. For example, in India elifesciences.org estimates 58,000 deaths from snakebite per year (the highest death rate in the world)... with most occurring at home in rural areas... where access to medical care is diminished.
Like you said, it is of paramount importance to be mindful of one's surroundings and avoid taking chances.
Great tips!
I had my 1st & only cougar encounter so far, at Big Bend National Park, when I was 13. I was in a small canyon like area that was a cliff on one end, where I was looking out to the landscape beyond. When I turned around, there was a cougar about 20' from me.
I had a cliff behind me, rocky walls next to me, & a cougar blocking my only exit. I didn't know what to do so I just stood there, the cat & I staring at each other. Then the cat laid down sphinx style. Tired myself, I sat down Indian style. It was like the scene from Conan the Barbarian, where he sat staring at his 1st arena opponent. The cat & I just stared at each other for almost an hour. Then the cougar calmly got up & walked away.
OOTurok Great story! Thanks for sharing.
LN Laughlin Thanks for the insight! Good info to keep in mind.
LN Laughlin Shiver indeed! I'm glad I don't have to worry about crocs or bees on the majority of my hikes. Yikes!
LN Laughlin Well you could carry a smoker with you just in case of a killer bee attack. Use the smoker to smoke yourself & the bees won't sting... or at least not as many.
How it works? .... Smoke disrupts the bee's chemical communication. It literally confuses them so they become docile.
Not sure how practical that solution is though. LOL
Actually, the number one killer in the U.S. is... wait for it... DEER. No joke. They're involved in 1.4 million car wrecks annually, killing as many as 200 people per year. Bees, on average, kill about 50. And since 2010, there have been only six documented lethal alligator attacks on humans in the U.S. (there are American crocodiles, but they are confined to coastal areas of southern Florida, and are comparatively rare).
I was attacked by a cougar once. She locked me in her room and wouldn’t let me leave.
Why worry? Snake bites ya then bite it back and go on with your day. 😂
What about cougar snakes? Only joking. Thanks for the videos!
If you encounter a cougar in the wild, make sure you have a nice slab of pork ribs in hand and say, here pretty cougar just leave me alone.
great job on this video. you have covered snakes, cougars, and bears. now you should do a video on what to do if you encounter freaky scary people. hillbillies that would like nothing more then to eat you for dinner. Or if you stumble on to some crazy cult meeting in the forest. or some killers on the run in a mountain hideout. what about scary people on the trail?
Thanks! Lol, not much I can say about scary people on the trail, but I agree, people are probably the most dangerous animals to worry about out there.
Guess I'm one of the lucky backpackers to come across a mountain lion in its natural habitat when on foot and black bears for that matter too. I can't explain the feeling too well but it's a lot like oh f@ck😂😂. Always carry a deterrent is all I can say💩
Thanks for sharing!
Just a few days ago two mountain bikers were attacked by a cougar, they fought the cougar off wich had returned later to kill one of the mountain bikers while the other successfully got away
what about snakes that dwell on trees?
Cougars will go for the mouth and neck area. They are pretty common in the Utah back country. They are the reason I think its important to carry a gun when solo hiking in the wilderness areas in Utah. In our town here a housing development was started that backed up to the BLM land. They caught and trapped 10 cougars the first year alone that were coming into the area being developed.
Don’t forget they use their hind legs to gouge our your intestines.
luckily in those area you dont have a brown sneak
Dave Collins? I doubt you ever read comments on your video. But if you come to my comment please look into the death and disappearance of bowhunter and bear biologist Bart shyler. He went missing in the Yukon on a solo moose Hunting trip in September of 2004. All that was found of him was his baclava/hunting mask with slight bit of his blood inside.also his camo pants a camera and partial skull and teeth. No Boots or other clothing was ever found. Mr Collins I just want your opinion on what happened to a bear biologist and bowhunter that was a supreme Hunter. Again missing in the Yukon 2004 moose Hunting trip Solo. People are saying Sasquatch got him? Lol give your opinion if you get time to read the case.thanks Dave.
This video should have included what park rangers in cougar country do to avoid a cougar attack from behind, they wear jackets with eyes painted on the back.
Phil Tucker Interesting point Phil. I'd heard of that before and I bet that works. Thanks for sharing!
This information needs to include the mohave green. I have personally watch in the last 2 weeks 3 donkeys and 1 horse and 2 dogs all die horrible deaths from the mohave green rattlesnake.
Good video.
Samuel L. Jackson Thanks!
Love your cougar comment. Good one! Grrrowl. :o)
Well then...time to toss all those snake bite kits! sheesh what a scam that turned out to be.
+G “Jerry” Henrickson Lol, I know right!
So they stomp their feet and then immediately go through the brushy area? Sorry, but snakes don't move that fast. They will still be there to bite and now they are fully aware you are coming. When if you didn't do that, they might not be aware in time to bite. Yeah, great safety tip man! If you're in camp, then yes, a lot of noise helps to keep them away. Following his advice would be a great way to get bit when you might not have if you didn't follow that stupid tip. And if bitten, wait a couple of minutes for it to bleed, then clean, keep them from moving, MAKE A MAKESHIFT STRETCHER etc. etc. By then they have lost several precious minutes or a half hour while you're trying to figure the whole stretcher thing. Minutes that should spent getting to a hospital.
By then, the venom is well into doing it's damage and the person won't be able to even walk on their own and will probably die there. Yeah, great advice man. This guy is a complete idiot. Do NOT follow most of his advice is you want to survive. And the up votes on this video just go to show how little people do know what is good or bad advice. And the best part is when he says there is a lot of false information on the subject. Which he proves with his horrible advice. Lol!
True good advice is to get to the hospital ASAP. Period! Whatever is the fastest way to make that happen is what is good advice. And most of the time it will require the person to walk. If you're really out in the wild, then most likely you're going to be taking a helicopter ride. That with a dozen or two vials of Crofab antivenin and a 2 to 5 hundred thousand dollar hospital bill and you're good to go. Lol! When in the vehicle to get there, then they should move as little as possible. Do NOT DO ANYTHING other than get to the hospital asap. Do no try any form of first aid other than yes, remove anything restricting the area. Socks, rings, etc.
Hey dudes did you see the cougar laughing in the tree just to the left of the geezer Ha,Ha,
As a former medic let me say do not follow the portion about treating snakebites in this video.
Grizzly Country Care to elaborate?
Dave Collins My EXACT WORDS!!!
@@CleverHiker no reply, guess he died of snakebite ?
anybody who like snakes gets my sub, good video mate
While only few people die from snake bite, you might require $10,000 worth of anti-venom or half that of your lucky.
Protect ya neck son
Thumbs up!
Trailken1 Thanks! Thumbs up to you for the comment!
So I wasted money on a snake bite kit? Lol
HunterLo25 Hahaha, yup. Afraid so. That one got me back in the day too. Thanks for watching!
thanks Dave. I've learned a lot. Awesome videos!
HunterLo25 Thanks so much!
ICSharp25 @ The only snakebite kit that has any value in treating a snakebite is the one that is on the market by Sawyer products called the Sawyer extractor. But it is only effective if used within 5 minutes of the bite. Don't use the kits that contain a scalpel blade and rubber suction cups. They are very dangerous and will not remove much venom.
No you didn't. It's best to listen to more than one opinion when it comes to snake bite kits. Many people who have had to use them said they're uber glad they did.
Dance with me baby!
EVERY SNAKE I SEE WILL BE THE LAST HUMAN THEY SEE. THEY WILL MEET THEIR DEMISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Or just fight that cougar like a manly man.