Camping and Wild Animals: Tips for Survival

One of the greatest parts of going camping out in the wilds of America is getting to see all the different wildlife. In my home state of West Virginia, it is not uncommon to see such animals as deer, bear, squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, raccoons, and opossums. On any given camping trip we expect to see most, if not all of these animals somewhere around the campsite, or on trails along the rivers that we fish on our trips. From a distance, it is great to see these animals-they are quite beautiful in their natural environments. However, you do not want to get too close! Here are few tips to keep in mind when you go camping, to ensure that you stay safe, and that you do not harm the animals that may be around you.

1. Do not try to touch the animals. No matter how cute the animals are, remember that they are wild animals. As such, they can inflict great damage! Even those cute little squirrels are dangerous. In the off chance that you might actually be able to get close enough to catch a wild animal, remember that they all have defense mechanisms that are designed to inflict pain on anything that might threaten it. Some animals, such as bears and opossums can be quite aggressive if they feel threatened, and may even attack you.

2. Keep food secure. Many animals that live close to camping areas become accustomed to scavenging for food among the camp sites. All food needs to be secured in such a way as to keep it away from the prying noses and paws of little woodland creatures. If you leave food unsecured, then the least that can happen is that the little scavengers will make a tremendous mess in your camp site. In the extreme, you could be in danger. After all, if a bear tears into your tent trying to get at some left over hot dogs you could be on your way to the emergency room!

3. Take pictures, but from a distance. If you are anything like me, you like taking a lot of photographs when on a camping trip. I particularly like taking wildlife photos. You can get great pictures if you have a zoom lens, but don't try to get too close. Remember that a flash can startle animals, and cause them to panic. If you are too close, there is a chance that they could slash out at you, causing painful bites or scratches.

4. Watch for sick animals. Animals such as raccoons, opossums, and skunks are notorious for carrying diseases such as rabies. Under most circumstances, if you see these animals in the middle of the day, you should suspect rabies. This may not be the case if these animals have become accustomed to humans, and have learned that the people are out in the middle of the day. However, if you see an animal that is acting strangely, such as staggering, slobbering excessively, or visibly ill, you need to stay far away, and if possible contact a wildlife officer to deal with the sick animal.

5. Don't feed the animals. We have already mentioned the need to keep your food secure to avoid the scavenging of the animals. However, you also need to know that feeding wild animals is doing them far more harm than good. If people feed the animals, they become used to it, and begin to lose the ability to provide for themselves. This is not a problem during the camping season, but in many areas it can cause a lot of problems when winter sets in. These animals become so used to being provided for that when the campers go away they cannot find food for themselves. This can, and often does, ensure a suffering death for the animals. So, for the sake of the health and wellbeing of the animals for the whole year, don't feed the animals!

Viewing animals while on a camping trip can be very exciting. In fact, viewing wildlife can be one of the most exciting parts of the trip. But, you need to be careful, and not endanger either yourself, or the animals that you are wanting to see and enjoy. Follow these tips, and you will be well on your way to a great trip, and enjoyable wildlife viewing experience.