An experienced survey technician in Utica, Minnesota, Scott Schwieder concluded his tenure as a senior civil engineering technician with the city of Rochester in 2018. Upon retiring, Scott Schwieder shifted his focus to a few of his favorite pastimes. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hiking and rock collecting, among other interests.

Encountering a wild animal while hiking can be both a special and scary experience, depending on the situation. Regardless of the animal or environment, hikers should do everything they can to avoid direct contact with wildlife. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, but there are a few tips that can help hikers maintain their safety and distance.

While hiking is often a tranquil, calming experience, hikers are encouraged to make noise while on the trail. Animals will typically do everything they can to avoid contact with humans, and will usually vacate the area long before a chatty group of hikers are aware of their presence. That said, hikers must always keep their wits about them and be vigilant for signs of trouble on the trail ahead, animal or otherwise.

Time of day can be a key factor in whether or not hikers encounter wildlife. Animals are most active at dawn and dusk, times that should be avoided by hiking groups if possible. For overnight hikers, securing food and any other notable scents is a must. In fact, food should be stored in a secure container that is kept away from camp, ideally in a car, meat locker, or hanging from a tree or pole.

According to Yellowstone National Park, hikers should maintain a minimum distance of 25 yards from all wildlife, a figure that is increased to 100 yards for predators such as bears and wolves. If such animals are present in an area hikers plan to visit, it is important to learn as much information as possible about potential encounters. For example, hikers should make themselves appear as threatening as possible to a black bear, which is the exact opposite approach of a hiker who has encountered a grizzly bear.