Any animal issues?

[WingedMonkey]

No AT hiker has ever been attacked by a bear, a feral pig, a moose, a deer, a mountain lion or a snake. Porcupines can not "throw" quills keep your dogs nose out of their butt.
As for "rednecks" waiting at trail crossings? I guess I missed those news reports too.

[aj03]

thanks for all the posts. some of them added a little humor to my day.

[Blissful]

ticks are nasty, nasty, They are still out! I got bit by one on Old Rag last month

[CrumbSnatcher]

one of the T.V. series i watch is MOONSHINERS on discovery channel
the good ole' boys were using Listerine mouth wash for mosquito repellant

[Sarcasm the elf]

one of the T.V. series i watch is MOONSHINERS on discovery channelthe good ole' boys were using Listerine mouth wash for mosquito repeilant

Interesting, someone please try this out and report back.

[WingedMonkey]

one of the T.V. series i watch is MOONSHINERS on discovery channel
the good ole' boys were using Listerine mouth wash for mosquito repeilant

My dad went through that phase...the Listerine that is...didn't work.

[lemon b]

I use garlic and B-12 for insects. When the blackflys are out I wear a net.

[4eyedbuzzard]

Note on porcupines - they will chew your boots as they taste salty due to your sweat. If you see any chewing evidence on the wood around the shelter, hang your boots.
Note on moose - they are territorial and just plain old huge. Don't try to get too close. Take photos from a distance. While rare, people have been stomped by them.

[Papa D]

well, bear attacks are certainly rare and not something to be scared of but they occasionally happen. Here is a news report of just one:

www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/08/bear_attacks_injures_two_boys.html

pigs, moose, snakes, and of course deer (ha), and porcupines are obviously much much less of a concern

rednecks and humans in general are a huge problem - Meredith Emerson was killed hiking near Blood Mountain on the AT -- problem people are the #1 concern -- it's very sad (and it SHOULD NOT keep hikers off the trail) but everyone should be very cautious if sketchy people out there and be willing to change plans and quickly move on if necessary.

[Wise Old Owl]

one of the T.V. series i watch is MOONSHINERS on discovery channel
the good ole' boys were using Listerine mouth wash for mosquito repelant

I thought they gave that up in favor of making more cash with growing pot in the Washington Forest ( near SNP)

[WingedMonkey]

As far as the bear attacking the boys, there were followup stories where it was reported that the "injuries" the boys had were old scrapes and scars misread by over imaginative "outdoor instructors" running the camp.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/201..._official.html

Of course ALL of the hikers killed on the AT were killed by humans (other than acts of nature). I haven't seen the reports of which ones were rednecks or not.

[Lone Wolf]

rednecks and humans in general are a huge problem - Meredith Emerson was killed hiking near Blood Mountain on the AT --

what ia a redneck?

[Slo-go'en]

what ia a redneck?

Beer mixed with tomato juice - oh wait, that's a redeye, sorry.

[hikerboy57]

what ia a redneck?

strictly a northern term, or anyone who actually finds jeff foxworthy fuuny.

[hikerboy57]

there is one animal people need to be very very wary of:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcxKIJTb3Hg. full body armor is the only protection.

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...


Was glad to see bees and DEET mentioned.

According to the Georgia DEC (or something medical) Africanized bees are as far north as Georgia...!! These bees are DANGEROUS. They are extremely ferocious, can't be outrun, and will wait for you if you jump into water...!! These bees are also residing in some areas of our southwest.

Regarding DEET. I used to use it regularly, in a State that had the mosquito for its State bird. It was very effective. I stopped using it when I found out...first hand...that DEET dissolves paint...!!

[Tenderheart]

Hello everyone, Im new to this site and relatively new to the AT. I am section hiking starting in MD. I am stationed in MD so thats why im starting in the middle.... Its the closest part to me. Anyways, I was just wondering if anyone has ever had any problems with bears in MD or VA? I plan on hiking in the spring or summer. And, what kind of precautions for bears, or any other animal that would like to make me its dinner, do you have to take at the the shelters or campsite? Also, if anyone is interested in hiking in the spring or summer in MD and VA let me know.
thanks

Most bear horror stories come out of Hollywood. As a thru hiker heading north, or wherever you choose to start, I say don't worry about bears until you reach NJ. By then, you'll know what to do. The animal that can do you the most damage, however, is a skunk, IMO.

[CrumbSnatcher]

I thought they gave that up in favor of making more cash with growing pot in the Washington Forest ( near SNP)

why can't they have jelly on thier peanut butter sandwich? :-)

[CrumbSnatcher]

forget about the critters and worry about the slippery rocks & roots! thats what can bite you in the ass :-)
try not to fall off a mountain either, that sucks :-(

[eXtremeJeep]

Old thread but figured I'd add my experience. I've hiked the MD section over a dozen times through the years. By far insects are the number one nuisance. Unleashed dogs are also prevalent, not necessarily dangerous but can be annoying. I personally have never seen a bear in MD but I know some who have. We did run into and have follow us a bobcat on a night hike one time, but it kept its distance.

The oddest (and honestly scariest) animal encounter was three of us ran into a large black goat on the trail near White Rock a few years ago. It acted rather aggressive and took a long while to finally yield to us and move off the trail, so you never know what you may encounter out there.