Q&A for How to Survive a Wolf Attack

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  • Question
    Will colorful things attract or scare wolves?
    Community Answer
    It will likely do neither; wolves have weaker color vision than humans.
  • Question
    Why would you make children and injured people targeted more? They are more vulnerable so you should protect them right?
    Community Answer
    You aren't making them targeted more, the wolves see them as easier prey. That is what you do, protect them. You put them in the middle so that wolves can't get to them.
  • Question
    What if the wolf gets mad when you make noise?
    Community Answer
    It might get more aggressive but that wouldn't be likely. The more noise you make the bigger the fight you'll be and every wolf has its limit.
  • Question
    If I have a knife to defend myself and stab the wolf will it turn more aggressive or will it retreat?
    Community Answer
    It depends on where you stab it. If it's a more fatal wound it would retreat but if not, yes, that does hold the potential to make it more aggressive. You want to be especially careful with stabbing one of them if it's a pack you're dealing with because they will hurt you if you critically wound one of their own. Their packs are tightly knit.
  • Question
    How do I defend myself with an air horn?
    Community Answer
    Using an air horn could disorient a wolf or hurt its ears. This might give you more time to get to safety.
  • Question
    What should I do if I see a wolf around my house?
    Community Answer
    Remain calm and seek shelter as soon as possible. Once you are sheltered, make as much noise as you can to scare off the wolf.
  • Question
    Why do I have to keep eye contact at all times?
    Community Answer
    Because if you try to turn around to get a weapon or something the wolf could sneak up on you and attack.
  • Question
    What do I do if an entire pack is attacking me?
    Community Answer
    Focus your attention on the alpha, but aware of its flanks, too, because they'll attack you as well. The alpha (biggest wolf) will let itself be seen. A challenge to him (see above) may make the rest of the pack hesitate. Challenge and slowly back away.
  • Question
    Why do wolves attack people?
    Community Answer
    Wolves are like dogs, usually when a dog attacks it's been startled or is just trying to protect its pups. The same goes for wolves.
  • Question
    What if the wolf is sleeping?
    Community Answer
    If it's sleeping, then it isn't attacking you, so just leave it alone.
  • Question
    What should I use to defend myself?
    Community Answer
    Sticks and rocks are the most likely weapon available to you in the wild, but if you have anything like a knife, that will work too.
  • Question
    Is it okay to smile at the wolves?
    PreuxFox
    Top Answerer
    Wolves will probably not understand what a smile means. Although dogs have evolved to understand human expressions, wolves have not. They may interpret it as an aggressive gesture if you show your teeth while smiling.
  • Question
    Has anyone been in this situation and how rare is it?
    Community Answer
    There have been people in this situation, although it is somewhat rare. Proper planning will decrease the chance of an encounter with one. It is always better to be prepared than scared and to know how to keep away from encountering wolves by being aware and sensible.
  • Question
    How large is a wolf's normal territory?
    Community Answer
    A wolf's normal territory is usually 13 – 2,400 mi².
  • Question
    One of the suggested methods for intimidating a wolf is to make a lot of loud noise. This seems like a risky idea. Aren't you alerting more wolves to your presence?
    Community Answer
    Wolves are instinctively wary of loud noises, so yelling is a good way to keep them at bay.
  • Question
    What if I'm a ninja? Can I take a whole pack of wolves?
    Community Answer
    Never try to fight a pack by yourself. Call an animal control center. There's no need to end a wolf's life when something else can be done.
  • Question
    Why are wolves so vicious?
    Community Answer
    Wolves, like any other animals, will defend themselves when they feel threatened. Wolves are also predatory animals, so they are more aggressive by nature.
  • Question
    What should I do if the wolf does not back away?
    Community Answer
    Continue making noise, and never turn your back, as you will most likely be attacked.
  • Question
    What if I am completely surrounded by a pack and the noises aren't working, should I keep going or show that I'm surrendering?
    Community Answer
    Never surrender! They do not like trespassers and they will not "let it go" if you are in their territory, so you will have to fight back.
  • Question
    If a pack of wolves outflanks me, is it a good idea to pretend to be dead?
    DGTV
    Community Answer
    No! If the wolves see you and think you're dead, they're likely to try to eat you. Use an object, like a rock, or any weapon to attack the wolf. Then yell in a loud, deep voice. You goal is to survive this encounter. The wolves will run away, giving you a chance to get out of their territory. Don't settle there. The wolves will come back.
  • Question
    What do I do if a wolf bites me?
    Community Answer
    If you are bitten by a wolf, call 911 and go straight to a hospital. Being bitten is unlikely unless you provoked it, but it is certainly possible. You may need either a rabies vaccination or a booster shot for a rabies vaccination, just in case.
  • Question
    Can a large dog like a husky scare away a wolf?
    Community Answer
    Possibly but if the husky is submissive, it may get frightened and attack out of fear and thus you may no longer have a dog. If your dog can be dominant enough, then you have a better chance that way as long as you help out your dog. However, relying on a dog is not good advice as most times, the dog is in as much danger as you.
  • Question
    What do I do if I have something it wants, such as food. Do I give it to the wolf?
    Earth_Lover
    Community Answer
    Yes. If it's something you need to survive, only give the animal some of it. Instead of giving the item to the wolf with your hands, roll or throw the item away from you.
  • Question
    Will an axe be able to fend off a wolf?
    Community Answer
    Probably, if you can swing it correctly.
  • Question
    What if I show I'm dominant and attack them with a machete? Will they then see me as the alpha male?
    PreuxFox
    Top Answerer
    No, because you are a human, not a wolf. The alpha male in a pack is the father of the other wolves, you can't just take that position. Most likely if you attack them with a machete they will run away, though.
  • Question
    How would a wolf protect itself from other animals?
    Caeiia
    Top Answerer
    They travel in packs, so there are usually other wolves to back up the one wolf. Cast out lone wolves usually die, as they don't have the needed social interaction and usually are weak and disadvantaged in trying to hunt alone.
  • Question
    What should I do if a wolf keeps coming close to my house?
    Community Answer
    Contact animal control and install motion-sensor lights near your home to alert you of the wolf's presence. When you exit and enter your house, make noise to scare the wolf away.
  • Question
    Should I avoid eye contact?
    Community Answer
    No. Making eye contact can show the wolf that you're not afraid of it, which might work to your advantage.
  • Question
    If a wolf has rabies, will it still be part of a pack, or will it be alone?
    Community Answer
    A rabid wolf would almost certainly be traveling alone.
  • Question
    Why did you not mention a gun as a viable self defense weapon?
    Community Answer
    If you have a gun, you should use it only if necessary. You could fire warning shots to try to scare them and, only if you have to, shoot one. Most wolves will back away if you manage to easily kill a member of their pack. Normally, when people are taking their dog for a walk or traveling with kids through the woods, they do not carry a gun.
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