How safe are we
- Thread starter woodstock
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How many people in this country have ever been killed by big wild cats?
You have more chance of having a fatal accident with a fridge.
You have more chance of having a fatal accident with a fridge.
Personally I'm more worried about people than wildlife.
There are hundreds of things that are more likely to harm you than supposed 'big cats' - drunken chavs in stolen cars accidentally driving into your DPM tarp at 3 in the morning comes pretty close to the top of my list.
Of all the times I've camped out I've never once been attacked by an animal and I don't know anyone that has. This isn't the Serengeti, nor is it Alaska or Arnhemland. It's Britain, and the most aggresive animal you're likely to encounter is a badger. And trust me, as long as you don't go punching a cub right in front of its mum then you should be ok.
There are hundreds of things that are more likely to harm you than supposed 'big cats' - drunken chavs in stolen cars accidentally driving into your DPM tarp at 3 in the morning comes pretty close to the top of my list.
Of all the times I've camped out I've never once been attacked by an animal and I don't know anyone that has. This isn't the Serengeti, nor is it Alaska or Arnhemland. It's Britain, and the most aggresive animal you're likely to encounter is a badger. And trust me, as long as you don't go punching a cub right in front of its mum then you should be ok.
bambodoggy
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Of all the times I've camped out I've never once been attacked by an animal and I don't know anyone that has. This isn't the Serengeti, nor is it Alaska or Arnhemland. It's Britain, and the most aggresive animal you're likely to encounter is a badger. And trust me, as long as you don't go punching a cub right in front of its mum then you should be ok.
Perfectly put Sir!
A little different here. We do have plenty of large animals. I've been camping in the woods, many years ago, behind my parents house on a river bank only to find in the morning panther tracks ten feet from the tent. 
Never even heard the animal pass by. Depending on what part of the state we have black bear, panthers, lots of poisonous snakes. But as has been mentioned before, its the humans that concern me more than the animals. 
Never even heard the animal pass by. Depending on what part of the state we have black bear, panthers, lots of poisonous snakes. But as has been mentioned before, its the humans that concern me more than the animals.
A little different here. We do have plenty of large animals. I've been camping in the woods, many years ago, behind my parents house on a river bank only to find in the morning panther tracks ten feet from the tent.
You have things a little different to us so you're right to take precautions against wild animals. But, as you said, people are your biggest worry. According to statistics you're more likely to be accidentally shot in America than get killed by a wild animal.
Woodstock - you're more likely to trip on your tarp and land face-first in the fire, or choke to death on your own bannock, than get eaten by a 'big cat'. And I don't think your Martindale will help you in either situation.
Do any of you remember the massive hunt for a big cat on Dartmoor in the early eighties?
A whole unit of Royal Marines were given the task using all the gear available to them PNVG's etc. They were out there looking constantly for a good few weeks and found nothing.
The reports and stories are quite feasable but until someone is attacked and the creature possitively identified then I don't believe there is anything at all to worry about.
Don't get me wrong though, I have heard some bizarre sounds of a night time whilst out and about and normally the first thing that pops into my head is "American Werewolf in London" - 'Stick to the roads guys!!'
A whole unit of Royal Marines were given the task using all the gear available to them PNVG's etc. They were out there looking constantly for a good few weeks and found nothing.
The reports and stories are quite feasable but until someone is attacked and the creature possitively identified then I don't believe there is anything at all to worry about.
Don't get me wrong though, I have heard some bizarre sounds of a night time whilst out and about and normally the first thing that pops into my head is "American Werewolf in London" - 'Stick to the roads guys!!'
Yes, but we don't camp in the big cities so you can discount those statistics. There was a young boy attacked by a bear just last week and another bear advanced and was killed by a marine who was camping with his son.
I have seen black bears in my area, but I am very careful to keep my food properly stored when camping and usually take my pyr or a weapon if I'm out on my property.
This is a very much larger land mass than England and many different types of terrain from beach to mountains even within this state. There certainly are wild animals here and they do attack humans.
And as far as statistics go you are more likely to be killed by your doctor than a gun.
When you say panther do you mean black panther or are you talking about a puma/cougar/mountain lion?
A little different here. We do have plenty of large animals. I've been camping in the woods, many years ago, behind my parents house on a river bank only to find in the morning panther tracks ten feet from the tent.
BOD
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
May all your wishes come true.
A face to face encounter with a top predator.
You will never feel as alive as you will at that moment and possibly never again.
:theyareon
A face to face encounter with a top predator.
You will never feel as alive as you will at that moment and possibly never again.
:theyareon
Personally, I would be quite happy and content to NEVER run into anything while I am out camping in the wilds - most animals will steer clear of you when you are out and about (or at least in this country they will).
I would aagree with the statements above about "people" being more dangerous - can't wait until my first encounter with the local neds/chavs while I'm out camping! Oh no, wait, yes, yes I can!
I would aagree with the statements above about "people" being more dangerous - can't wait until my first encounter with the local neds/chavs while I'm out camping! Oh no, wait, yes, yes I can!
Did anyone else see the F-word program a few weeks ago?
one of Gordon Ramsey's sheep was killed by an unspecified animal on the Beckham's estate.
An autopsy revealed that is was strangled and that a big cat could not be ruled out.
http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/F/fword/galleries/gallery_18_fword3_sheep6.html
one of Gordon Ramsey's sheep was killed by an unspecified animal on the Beckham's estate.
An autopsy revealed that is was strangled and that a big cat could not be ruled out.
http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/F/fword/galleries/gallery_18_fword3_sheep6.html
about three years ago me and my family were out walking on a moor above Bellingham in Northumberland. there were hundreds of sheep around and we came across a few carcasses but didnt pay much attention to them ( little brothers etc). suddenly about 100 yards in front of us a huge black animal ran across the moor and dissapeared behind a cluster of boulders. my dad swears that it was a big cat and needless to say we didnt investigate, but there must be something out there?
Dan
Dan
When The Dangerous Wild Animals Act was introduced some owners removed their animals to Northern Ireland which was not covered by the Act - others chose to let them go.
Exmoor might be a good starting point if you are that determined to see one. I've been told that if rabbits are plentiful then there will not be any "big animals" about
I leave you to draw your own conclusions.
Regarding "Boar": The animal rights people let some go in North Devon. The males made a bee-line for the neighboring pig farms in search of rumpy pumpy with the sows. If you're unfortunate to have this happen with your sows you are not allowed to sell the progeny
Anyway, the local Farmers started to shoot the brutes.
"You can't do that" said the Blokey who had lost his stock "They're my Boars!"
"Oh good" said the local farmers "Now we know who to send the bills for damages to!"
- and before you go rushing off to pot one. They're big things and they want a lot of stopping. You will need, I'm told, a variation on an FAC to shoot them.
Exmoor might be a good starting point if you are that determined to see one. I've been told that if rabbits are plentiful then there will not be any "big animals" about
I leave you to draw your own conclusions.
Regarding "Boar": The animal rights people let some go in North Devon. The males made a bee-line for the neighboring pig farms in search of rumpy pumpy with the sows. If you're unfortunate to have this happen with your sows you are not allowed to sell the progeny
Anyway, the local Farmers started to shoot the brutes.
"You can't do that" said the Blokey who had lost his stock "They're my Boars!"
"Oh good" said the local farmers "Now we know who to send the bills for damages to!"
- and before you go rushing off to pot one. They're big things and they want a lot of stopping. You will need, I'm told, a variation on an FAC to shoot them.
Personally I'm more worried about people than wildlife.
There are hundreds of things that are more likely to harm you than supposed 'big cats' - drunken chavs in stolen cars accidentally driving into your DPM tarp at 3 in the morning comes pretty close to the top of my list.
Of all the times I've camped out I've never once been attacked by an animal and I don't know anyone that has. This isn't the Serengeti, nor is it Alaska or Arnhemland. It's Britain, and the most aggresive animal you're likely to encounter is a badger. And trust me, as long as you don't go punching a cub right in front of its mum then you should be ok.
Or something irritiating flying things, midges etc. Even where there are big predatory wildcats, mozzies still come out on top for deaths caused.
Its people that walk to where you are. I was out on a field camping with alot of people, and a drunk young person came on. It was 12pm, and he said he had started trying to walk home at 8pm, and he was no-where near his house.
Definatly strange people more then animals.
Definatly strange people more then animals.
Black panther I believe. Never saw it just the tracks. I don't think we have cougar in this area. Hope not anyway.
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