RoR: Forum

... notice, also, that the Alaska Fish & Game guy says that the wolves "are working on the concept..." If you doubt that wolves can develop concepts, stay away, stay far, far away from them.

Post 1

Sunday, December 23, 2007 - 7:54pm

This must be guy humor.

Next time, the ladies need to bring a shotgun, firecrackers and an air-horn. Or maybe they should just ride a horse instead of walking.

My sister and I were avid horse gals in our teens (my sister still is). We'd spend all weekend riding. There was a public beach and campground close to the stable that we enjoyed riding to. One morning, we rode to the beach, expecting to meet some other friends. This red neck guy was there with three large doberman pincers that went berserk when they saw our horses ride up. As it is the nature of the Red Neck, of course he was upset with us for having the nerve to shine a light on how poorly his dogs were trained. He threatened to let the dogs loose if we didn't leave. I laughed and told him to go ahead and let the dogs go. My mare would no doubt seriously hurt or even kill the dogs with a swift kick to the head. She had kicked pesky, rude dogs before, I explained. It's just a natural response for a horse, to kick a pesky, rude, untrained, boarder-line wild dog. The dogs stayed tied up, we met our friends, and left for greener, friendlier pastures.

Post 2

Sunday, December 23, 2007 - 10:03pm

Good points, Teresa.

If I were going for a walk in wolf-country like these gals did, then I wouldn't try to rely on measly pepper spray as a wolf-deterrent! I'd first try out the Dog Dazer -- and if that didn't work (at a distance of 20-30 feet), then I'd start unloading in the pack's general direction with a semi-automatic Benelli M3 Super 90.

I ain't afraid o' no wolves.

;-)

Ed
[likes tough guy talk]

Post 3

Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 4:38pm

Teresa,

Great story, makes me smile. The weapons of choice up there are bolt action 30-06 and a magnum revolver. If those three ladies had a .357 with them they would have had no worries. They are probably wives of airman stationed at the air base there, certainly not born and raised in Alaska. As for Darwin award nominees, I nominate the boys at the SF zoo who teased the tiger.

Post 4

Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 7:43pm

Was it reported that the boys were teasing the tiger, Mike? I hadn't heard that. From reports I've heard, that poor tiger just didn't adjust well to zoo life. She even ripped the skin from the arm of a handler who was feeding her.

Post 5

Sunday, December 30, 2007 - 8:41am

I (once) locked-eyes with a lynx at the Minnesota Zoo. That thing looked at me like the Devil incarnate. Fear rushed through my veins as I could sense the intensity building up in that predator. He kept staring into my eyes and, as he slowly began to bare his sharp fangs, I had an overwhelming sense of vulnerability.

The only thing separating him from me was a transparent inch of glass. Those several seconds were scarier to me than any horror film I'd seen. Don't try that at home. But if there's something you shouldn't do, don't mess with the camels at the zoo ...

I (once) tried to stare down a camel at the zoo. To my dismay, the damn thing fixated on me. I was on a walking path and there was a fence. A fence that the camel could get his head over. He tried to nail me with a loogee. I ducked. When I stood up, he was right there -- peering over the fence at me. When I ran like a frightened school-girl down the path -- and turned around and up to the top of the fence -- he was right there; with burning anger in his eyes; ready to fire another shot at me.

I started running again, he ran along side me, keeping pace, ready to turn and fire a bolus of mucus as soon as I had to stop to rest. As I ran I realized that I couldn't outrun this creature. Instead, I was haunted by his head bobbing up and down -- from that awkward way that camels run. As awkward as it was horrifying ...

Needless to say, I didn't sleep well that night. And the sound of a camel still startles me and takes me back to that day of frightful dismay -- where the camels run wild and strike terror into the hearts of men ...

Ed

Post 6

Sunday, December 30, 2007 - 7:16pm

Ed:

     Well, I guess I know why you weren't named Lawrence   :)

     Hey: I once got trapped by a gaggle of quite perturbed geese (honking, wing-waving; TRAPPED)...when I was 5; I know well what you mean. These situations have Michael Myers and Hannibal concerns beat hands-down for pure traumatic terror.

     Re the 'tiger taunting': such seems speculation (and not a 'report')...so far; but, I wouldn't be surprised, lower-than-'standard' wall or not. Why else would the tiger do a 15-20ft moat-crossing and then a 12ft wall-leap? Small portions in her last dinner? I-don't-think-so.

LLAP
J:D

(Edited by John Dailey on 12/30, 7:23pm)

Post 7

Monday, December 31, 2007 - 9:42am

John,

There are 3 rules for a healthy exit strategy upon an unarmed and open confrontation with a wild predator:

(1) Do not turn away from the creature
(2) Do not lock eyes with the creature (this is the one that I willfully disregarded, to my eventual dismay)
(3) Back away slowly -- do not run

My point is, is that even merely locking eyes -- having a "stare-down" -- with a tiger at the zoo, could have provoked this attack. Trust me, I have direct experience with the consequences of that. No overt taunting is necessary to drive a wild animal to (try to) attack you.

Ed

Post 8

Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - 3:02am

Ed:

Yes, I am aware of that, but thanx (should I ever go to the zoo again, or meet a bear in the woods.)

The stare-down/eye-lock is only useful when it's clear to the animal that you ARE the 'alpha' here (and with the 'Big' cats, forget that!); elsewise, you better be Tarzan, for sure. --- It's noteworthy that when grown tabby-cats meet for the 1st time they stop, sit, and study EVERYTHING around them...except the other cat. :)

LLAP
J:D

(Edited by John Dailey on 1/02, 3:20am)

(Edited by John Dailey on 1/02, 3:21am)

Post 9

Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - 3:06am

Ed:

I remember a zoo-incident where there were baboons (Mandrill, if I remember correctly) in a glass-fronted cage in a building. Leaning on the rail 4ft in front of the glass-front, I was just watching them, and noticed one watching me. I, stupidly, stared at him wondering what he found interesting in me. All of a sudden he attacked the glass and all I saw were teeth, eyes, and more teeth...aimed for me; after his 2nd crash into the glass, I didn't wait around to see if he'd shatter it.

LLAP
J:D

(Edited by John Dailey on 1/02, 3:17am)

Post 10

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 9:20am