Coyotes are becoming increasingly common in many urban and suburban areas, so more and more people are likely to encounter them while hiking. While coyotes can be harmless if given their space, hikers need to know what to do if they come across one on their journey. So let’s look at What To Do If You See a Coyote While Hiking?
If you spot a coyote while hiking, stay calm, make noise, and maintain eye contact. Slowly back away, and never feed or approach them. Safety first!
What To Do If You See a Coyote While Hiking | Pro Tips
Stay Calm and Make Yourself Big
The first thing you should do when encountering a coyote stays calm. Coyotes are naturally shy creatures, so they will most likely not attack unless they feel threatened or cornered.
If you come across one, make yourself large by standing tall and spreading your arms wide. Speak loudly and firmly to let the animal know that you mean business and that it should keep its distance. Do not turn your back on the animal or run away, as this could trigger an automatic chase response from the coyote.
Make Noise
Making noise is another effective way of communicating with a coyote that you want to keep its distance from you. Clapping your hands, banging rocks, or blowing an air horn are good ways to scare off a coyote without resorting to physical force.
It is also important to remember that coyotes are territorial animals, so making noise can help alert other nearby coyotes that someone is already in their area.
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Know When To Leave
If the coyote does not leave after several minutes of making noise, it may be time for you to leave the area. Move calmly and slowly away from the animal while making noise until it has left the area entirely.
If possible, try to put some physical object (e.g., tree, rock) between yourself and the animal, as this will help further reinforce your message that it should keep its distance from you.
Keep Your Distance
The best thing you can do is keep your distance from the coyote. Don’t approach them or try to get close for a photo—coyotes are wild animals, and even if they appear friendly, they could become aggressive if they feel threatened. If a coyote approaches you, back away slowly without making sudden movements.
Make yourself look as big as possible by raising your arms above your head and using loud noises such as shouting or clapping to scare them off.
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Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Coyotes are most active at dawn and dusk but can also be seen during the day in some areas. To avoid an unexpected encounter with one of these animals, make sure that you stay aware of your surroundings while hiking so that you can spot a coyote before it spots you.
Stick to well-traveled trails and avoid areas with thick vegetation or other potential hiding places for coyotes. It’s also essential to keep pets leashed and close by when walking in areas where coyotes might be present.
Report Sightings
If you see a coyote while out on the trail, report it as soon as possible to local wildlife authorities or park rangers so that they can take steps to protect hikers in the area from any potential danger posed by the animal.
Even if the coyote appears harmless, it should still be reported so that officials can assess the situation and take appropriate action if necessary.
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Conclusion
Knowing What To Do If You See a Coyote While Hiking can help ensure your safety during your outdoor adventure! Remember—it’s essential to stay calm and make yourself big; make plenty of loud noises, and if necessary, move away slowly but surely from the animal until it has left the area entirely!
By following these simple steps, hikers can rest assured that they have done everything possible for their safety when coming face-to-face with a wild creature on their hike!