35 Self-Rescue Tips for Encountering a Wolf Pack While Hiking or Camping

1. Never turn and run; fleeing triggers the wolf's hunting instinct.
2. Keep facing the wolf to show it you are not prey.
3. Make yourself look bigger by standing tall, spreading your jacket, or raising your backpack.
4. Shout in a deep voice to deter them, but do not scream or let your voice crack.
5. Shine a strong flashlight directly into the wolf's eyes; this is highly intimidating at night.
6. Do not bend over to pick things up; exposing your neck is a fatal mistake.
7. Stand against a tree, rock wall, or large backpack to reduce attack angles.
8. Use trekking poles or sticks to create "long-distance pressure."
9. Stand side by side with others; wolves fear well-formed human formations the most.
10. Stare at the alpha wolf without scanning the whole pack to break the attack chain.
11. Back away slowly without turning around, making the wolves assess the risk as too high.
12. Bang metal or tap trekking poles to create noise and make the wolves hesitate.
13. Never throw food; this signals to wolves that you are a food source.
14. Do not camp on animal trails, near water sources, or at garbage spots.
15. Hang food more than two meters up in trees, not next to your tent.
16. Wash off food odors before sleep to avoid attracting curious wolves.
17. If bitten, attack the wolf's eyes, nose bridge, or ribs for the fastest way to drive it away.
18. Never play dead; playing dead to wolves is like a "zero resistance card."
19. Do not collapse; falling down can result in bites to the neck or legs.
20. Always carry a strong flashlight, pepper spray, and trekking pole as your survival trio.
21. Do not run out of your tent; fleeing makes it easier for wolves to chase and bite.
22. Immediately shout loudly to make wolves think you are a dangerous target.
23. Use your foot, backpack, or trekking pole to block the tent door, preventing full entry.
24. Shine a strong flashlight frantically into the wolf's eyes to trigger a strong retreat response.
25. Bang hard objects against tent poles (metallic sounds); wolves strongly dislike sharp metallic noises.
26. Jab at the tent entrance with a trekking pole or stick to inflict pain and suppress entry.
27. Do not curl into a ball; curling up signals complete weakness and invites attack.
28. If the tent is deformed under pressure, use a sleeping pad or backpack as a shield at the entrance.
29. If the tent tears, do not escape through the rip; continue to face the wolf head-on.
30. Spray pepper spray at the tent entrance; this is the most effective anti-wolf tool in the wild.
31. Keep shouting (preferably in a deep voice) to make the wolf assess that attacking you is too costly.
32. If teammates are outside, coordinate by shouting and shining lights for double the deterrent effect.
33. Do not chase or approach after the wolves retreat; keep watching before packing up.
34. After retreating, immediately turn on lights, make noise, and start a fire to increase your camp's presence.
35. Move your camp the next day; once wolves have tested you, they will remember your location.