Dangerous Animal Encounters
Introduction
In this introduction you’ll meet your wildlife lecturer, outdoorsman Dave Scott.
Section 1
Section 1: Risk Assessment & Fear vs. Logic
In this section we’ll work through your fears about wildlife and sort farce from fact, so you can become increasingly comfortable in the great outdoors.
Section 2
Section 2: General Animal Encounter Principals
In this section you’ll learn what motivates animal behavior.
Section 2.1 Body Language
In this section we begin to explore the art of reading animal body language in order to assess intent.
Section 2.2 Body Position
In this section you’ll learn how to assume non-threatening poses, which is key human behavior for deescalation during wildlife encounters.
Section 3
Section 3.1 Bear Encounters
In this section you’ll learn everything you need to know about bear behavior and best practices for staying safe in bear country.
Section 3.1.1 Black Bear
In this section you’ll learn what to do when you encounter a black bear and the best actions for surviving an aggressive confrontation.
Section 3.1.2 Brown Bear
In this section you’ll learn to identify threatening behavior, the difference between brown and black bears, and whether grizzlies actually stalk humans.
Section 3.2 Cats: Cougar, Jaguars, and Bobcats
This section explores what to do if you ever encounter a large cat in the wild.
Section 3.2.1 Cougars (Mountain Lion, Puma) and Jaguars
In this section we learn about cougar behavior, how to minimize your risk of encountering one, and what to do if you’re threatened by a big cat.
Section 3.3.1 K9s: Domestic Dogs
In this section we talk about domestic dogs, which by far, present the greatest physical threat to humans.
Section 3.3.2 K9s: Wolves
In this section you’ll learn about wolf behavior, the odds of meeting one, and how to react if you encounter a wolf.
Section 3.3.3 K9s: Coyotes
In this section you’ll learn about coyote behavior, whether they’re a threat and what to do if you encounter one.
Section 3.4.1 Venomous Snakes
In this section you’ll learn about the 4 types of venomous snakes in North America: copperhead, cottonmouth, rattlesnake, and coral.
Section 3.4.2 Alligators
In this section you’ll learn alligator behaviors that might be helpful when travelling in the US and Mexico.
Section 3.5.1 Hoofed Mammals: Deer
In this section you’ll learn about deer behavior and the few instances when they may act aggressively toward humans.
Section 3.5.2 Hoofed Mammals: Elk
In this section you’ll learn what makes elk more dangerous than deer.
Section 3.5.3 Hoofed Mammals: Moose
In this section you’ll learn when moose are most aggressive toward humans.
Section 3.5.4 Hoofed Mamals: Feral Hogs
In this section you’ll learn about feral hog behavior and a trick that will quickly scare one off.
Section 3.6.1 Spiders
In this section you will learn about the only two spider species you really need to worry about.
Section 3.6.2 Ticks
In this section you’ll learn about tick-related illnesses, tick attractants, and the best way to remove one from your skin.
Section 4
Section 4: Closing
In this section we conclude the course with the single most important take-away.
Section 5
Section 5: Answer Key
Check your answers to the Dangerous Animal Encounters knowledge test.
