As orienteers we are often outside in areas inhabited by animals both large and small, harmless and deadly. Yesterday, while running on a trail, I had occasion to almost step on a "rattler" that was curled up right in the middle of the path. I saw it out of the corner of my eye and was able to extend my stride and avoid it. I understand such snakes can do a lot of damage and that the treatment for a deep bite can cost hundreds of dollars and recovery is slow. I'm certainly glad to have avoided it. I wonder how many times we go within striking distance of animals and don't notice.

Has anyone else had negative experiences with large animals?

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), September 07, 1999

Answers

I once came very close to a badger. I was running along a trail (during a night orienteering race) and saw a badger coming right at me. The badger stopped a few meters away, looked at me, then scurried off.

I have been a bit frightened by moose on at least two occassions. Once, another night O' experience, I noticed a bunch of eyes looking at me and realized I was in the midst of several moose. I stopped, they walked away. Another time I came over a small hill and came close (within say 50 meters) to a moose and a very young moose. Apparently moose around their young can be a bit aggressive. I just stopped, turned around and jogged off.

Of course, my biggest fear is running in to vicious dogs! I've been biten five times (or is it six?), but never while orienteering. Three times I've been jogging and once I was on my bike.

When I orienteered in Alaska, I remember wondering what I would do if there was a bear just around the corner or just over the hill top. I never did see one.

-- Michael Eglinski (meglin@juno.com), September 07, 1999.

There was a mother bear and cub on one day of the APOC '90 courses in British Columbia. I didn't run into the bear, but heard reports of the two orienteers who did. Even though mother bear with cub is spoken of as the most dangerous, no one was hurt. Those who ran into the bear realized quickly what was going on and took appropriate measures. However, now, I can't remember what those measures were. I think it was freezing and letting the bears move on, but I recall something about using whistles, too.

Myself, I've have no encounters with large animals, except for scaring deer in the woods. I've run with Mike and have ridden with those who are afraid of dogs. I have yet to figure out why I never have trouble with dogs. Well, there are the few cases of the dogs that seem to really mean business and in those cases I yell, throw things and run a little faster. But just last weekend I took a long gravel road ride and we (Kenton, who was in the Burley trailer, and I) had a couple of wonderful visits with some very friendly dogs. One even trotted along as we slogged along an unimproved dirt road that had turned to mud causing need to dismount and walk... It was nice to have the company.

-- Fritz Menninger (fpmenninger@hotmail.com), September 12, 1999.