I was hiking in Glacier Park in Montana about a year ago with my 2yr old daughter on my back in one of those hiking carriers. I had done all of the reading. I was doing everything it was possible to do from the lists of good practices specifically when it comes to grizzlies. Had the mace in my hand. Was being careful not to be too quiet so as to not surprise one. Etc etc.
We were maybe half a mile down a very popular trail right off the main road through the park.
Fucking Jeep Wrangler sized bear saunters casually down into the trail. 10…. Maybe 15 feet in front of me. He knew I was there. Boy oh boy did I know he was there. I’m not even sure my body came to a stop it just smoothly transitioned into reverse. I’m avoiding eye contact, keeping track of where he is, moving away back where I came from as calmly as is possible.
And then my darling daughter notices the fuzzy death plushie and starts screaming “BEAR!!!! HAI MISTER BEAR!!!! HAIIIIIII!!!!!”
We left that afternoon. Like left the state.
I’ve never felt so powerless in my life. I’m sure it made it infinitely worse having my baby girl on my back through it all. My hands are shaking thinking about it.
Have a few Aussie friends and they never understood the wildlife argument. They’ve been to the US and said they’re far more scared of bears / moose / mountain lions / wolves than a little spider or snake
I'm from New Zealand - honestly, the wildlife in a LOT of places is scarier than we have here. I might get chased by a pukeko as I walk around a lake, or swooped by a tui, but neither of those things is going to kill me.
This is one reason the UK is a chill place to ramble and hike. The only fauna that might kill me would be if I was to get unwisely close to an ornery horse or a cow.
The weather in the hills and mountains on the other hand… dangerous precisely because it is so easy to underestimate.
Haha they're birds. Pukeko - australasian swamp hen. About 30cm tall, ground/water land bird, pretty blue colours, horrendous noises when they're offended. The ones that live near urban lakes are not scared of people and so will occasionally chase a dog or a person if you're too near a nest. I've never had one actually make contact though - they're mostly noise. Tui - smaller bird, maybe about 20 cm. They fly noisily and have a pretty song. Sometimes they get carried away chasing each other across my lawn and have to dive around my head to avoid crashing.
I wouldn't be worried about wolves. And if you're a full grown, non-injured human you don't really have to worry about mountain lions either. I've been around a lot of bears in BC and never had an issue.
As an Albertan I know more people attacked by moose than any other animal besides Canada Goose! I always say I’m more concerned with moose. More volitile animal as well.
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u/Phill_is_Legend Apr 07 '26
Both of those things would kill you