Woods Safety for Hunters: Bears, Rabies, Snakes, Ticks | Naked Antlers

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Naked Antlers, Inc.FIELD-TESTED GEAR · HUNT INFO FOR EVERY STATE

Emergency? Call 911. Snakebite or poisoning advice: Poison Control 1-800-222-1222

YOUR STATE

WHAT TO WATCH FOR.

Choose a state

Pick a state to see the common risks there.

EVERY STATE

THE BASICS.

The same rules apply wherever you hunt. Sources: CDC, National Park Service and state wildlife agencies.

BEARS

Black bears

Make noise, and keep food, cover scent and gut piles away from your stand and truck.
If one gets close: stay calm, don’t run, talk in a firm voice, make yourself look big and back away slowly.
Never get between a sow and her cubs.
If a black bear attacks you, don’t play dead. Get to your truck if you can, or fight back. Carry bear spray where it’s legal.

National Park Service: bear safety

BEARS

Grizzly country

Grizzlies live in Alaska and parts of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Washington.
Carry bear spray where you can reach it fast, and hunt with a partner.
Get your animal out quickly. Bears find kills and gut piles.
If a grizzly attacks, play dead: lie flat on your stomach with your hands behind your neck. Fight back if the attack keeps going.

National Park Service: bear safety

RABIES

Rabies

Most common in the U.S.: raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. Any mammal can carry it.
Warning signs: an animal acting strange, unafraid, stumbling, or out in daylight when it normally isn’t.
Never touch a downed animal that acted oddly. Wear gloves when field dressing.
After a bite or scratch, wash it with soap and water for 15 minutes and call your health department or doctor right away.

COYOTES

Coyotes

Coyotes live in every state but Hawaii and rarely threaten people.
A coyote that’s bold, approaches you, or acts sick may have rabies.
Haze it: yell, wave your arms, throw something, and don’t turn your back and run.
Report aggressive coyotes to your state wildlife agency.

SNAKES

Venomous snakes

Watch where you step and put your hands, around rocks, logs, brush piles and stand sites.
If bitten: call 911. Don’t drive yourself. Sit or lie still with the bite in a comfortable position, and take off rings and watches.
Do not cut it, suck it, use a tourniquet, ice it, or take aspirin or ibuprofen.
Never handle a venomous snake, even a dead one.

CDC: venomous snakes

TICKS

Ticks

Treat boots and clothing with permethrin, and use an EPA-registered repellent on skin.
Check yourself head to toe after every hunt, and shower within two hours.
Remove ticks with fine-tipped tweezers, pulling straight up.
Lone star tick bites can cause alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat, including venison.

CDC: preventing tick bites

911

What to tell 911

Where you are: GPS coordinates from your phone or hunting app, the road you parked on and landmarks.
What happened, how many people are hurt, and whether they’re breathing and awake.
For a snakebite, what the snake looked like (a photo from a safe distance helps).
Always leave a plan with someone: where you’re hunting and when you’ll be back.

General safety information from public CDC, National Park Service and state agency guidance. It isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911. For a bite or exposure, follow your doctor’s or health department’s instructions.

Hunt by state CWD tracker