It's spring in Wyoming and many folks will be headed into the backcountry to spend some time with nature.  But are you as prepared to be in the woods as you should be?

While fishing with a buddy outside of Yellowstone National Park several years ago I had my closest and scariest wildlife encounter.  We were fishing around some beaver ponds, when all of a sudden a mamma moose and her calf stood up from the tall grass on the same shoreline that we were fishing.

I got my buddies attention and told him to stop where he was and together we start to back away slowly.  As we were giving mom and her baby more room we suddenly heard  the loud sounds of branches breaking and it was coming our direction through the bushes just off to our right. Suddenly there was a bull moose just feet away and he did't look like he wanted to play at all.  His ears were pinned back and he was closing in on us quickly! I shouted to my buddy... RUN!!!

The moose continued to charge through the brush as we jumped over a couple of beaver dams and quickly crossed the stream. After the noise from behind us had subsided and we had found some cover, I took a peak to see that the moose had turned and started back in the direction of the mother and moose calf.

I took out my camera and snapped a couple of quick photos as we caught our breath.  Both realizing how dangerous the situation was that we had just encountered.

We had done what we could to try and avoid the moose, but we still got charged.  Fortunately we got out of that encounter and didn't get seriously hurt.  But what if it had been a black bear with cubs or a grizzly bear?  Or for that matter, a mountain lion, bobcat or wolf? Would you know what to do if you encountered a dangerous animal in the Wyoming backcountry?

If you're going to be in the Wyoming wilderness, hiking, camping, mountain biking, hunting or even fishing, there is always a chance that these encounters could happen.  Every encounter is different and most of the time the wildlife will take off into the woods, but take a look at the info graphic below and make sure you have an idea of what to do if you ever do have a dangerous wildlife encounter.  Safe Adventures!!

mnr.gov.on.ca
mnr.gov.on.ca
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