Self-Defense Devices for Predators of the Wild

[GuyWithQuestions]

As a way to develop our strategies and tactics in self-defense, I was thinking that we could expand our thinking to "What would be realistic self-defense when we are in the wild?" Let's say you're on a long visit to the East Indes and Australia. You're not hunting but just spending time outdoors, and you want personal self-defense against certain animals. What would be realistic, and something you can carry with you at all times and not attract a lot of attention to yourself? In this part of the world, there are animals such as salt water crocodiles, Komodo Dragons, cassowaries (a flightless bird that has a 5" dagger-like middle claw that can be used to disembow enemies and the 2004 Guinness World Records says they're the world's most dangerous bird to humans), malayan tigers, sumatran tigers (tigers can be quite dangerous in some countries), etc. What would be some realistic self-defense devices/strategies that you could use for these types of animals? I know of people who had to go to exotic places like these who saw dangerous animals. So, I thought of making a real life thought experiment using wild life scenarios that people experience around the world every year. The strategies used have to be realistic and something you can have with you at all times.

I know that tear gas doesn't work on dogs but it does on humans. Would it work on tigers? Reptiles? Birds? I know that pepper spray works on dogs. Bear pepper spray may work on tigers, but it wouldn't work on cassowaries. I've heard from several places that birds aren't affected by capsaicin. Plants that make capsaicin, the genus Capsicum, try to repel mammals, while using birds to spread their seeds. Would certain handguns work on cassowaries? What would be great for salt water crocodiles and Komodo Dragons? Are there certain rifles that you could carry on you 24/7 easily that would still be efficient for dangerous wildlife? Would you be able to utilize a rifle quick enough in the wild? I know someone who knows someone who was killed by a polar bear, so I was wondering what would be effective?

 

[one-shot-one]

well don't know about East Indes but Australia is to my knowalge "no handguns allowed". so to cover the bases you discribe check into the legality of a 12ga. shotgun and where slugs are allowed.

 

[uk roe hunter]

how about beer? nice cold beer near the hotel pool where the most dangerous thing you can come up against is a bad hangover?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I never heard anybody say "Sure as tear gas."

 

[Dr.Rob]

Cold Steel Bushman, snake bite kit, aspirin, and common sense.

Most people killed by tigers are attacked from behind, beleive it or NOT, a halloween mask with eyes worn on the back of your head will prevent most attacks.. they say as many as 80%. Thing is, if you are in that 20% and you survive that initial attack without blacking out there's a really good chance your lifespan is measured in seconds not minutes. What you need is a Howdah, a twin barreled pistol designed to be used in the even of a close in tiger encounter (a howdah is the 'saddle of an elephant') Think of it like a sawed off shotgun firing slugs. Cat's aren't thick skinned. But if you are already in his mouth you have to inflict enough damage (break his neck, destroy his heart, bleed him out--or just make him let you go-- before he crushes your skull or windpipe. Good luck.

Crocs aren't terribly dangerous on land... but near the water's edge you run the risk of finding you aren't at the top of the food chain. Cold running water at higher elevations are free of crocs and lizards.. they are cold blooded. swampy warm pools and coastal tropics are home to these critters, as are bull sharks. Don't swim where you can't see. Don't cross water without checking it first. (say with a bamboo pole). Crocs feed at the water's edge or in water, rarely if ever on land unless it's carrion. If you find a sandy or muddy beach look for slides where the animal is leaving and entering the water. Once you are in the water with a croc, you are probably too late.

Komodos only live on a few islands. They are protected. Best defense is to not sleep on the ground and keep a watchdog or two. they aren't afraid of people and even the bite of a small one has enough bacteria to kill you from sepsis in a few days. The stench of your wound rotting will attract more of them. Seek medical help immediately.

Wild Pigs: better to have a firearm than not, though you aren't talking Russian boar.

Cassuary: ok if you want to claim to be afraid of a giant flightless chicken, be my guest. These animals like many large flightless birds were hunted to near extinction by indigenous people armed with little more than stone tools and bows. Ostrictes are dangerous when you try and wrangle them... so don't try wrasslin with a big assed bird and you'll be fine.

Pythons: they say a mosquito net strung taut will keep a python away... but lets face it snakes eating full sized adults happens, but so rarely as to be statistically insignificant.

Other snakes: leave them be. Most aussie snakes are poinsonous, those that aren't are pythons.

Your biggest dangers come from dehydration, disease, insects & spiders, poison plants, then predators. Just about every predator you've listed is an endangered animal... you'd be lucky to SEE a sumatran tiger, much less be its dinner... and if you are, KUDOs to the tiger, hope he gets away with it.

 

[testar77]

How about what me and my partner use, .44 mag with a 300grn bullet movin 1250fps

 

[jahwarrior]

just stay home, dude.

 

[Piedmont Plinker]

You forgot sloth-bears http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloth_bear They have attacked humans
Crocs can be surrisingly fast, I think 20 mph on land.
You're not in much danger from Komodos.
Tigers... about 500 pound animals, biggest big cats (excluding ligers, yeah, they do exist http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liger )
Lots of bad@$$ snakes in Asia, snakeshot would work
Cassary-not sure about them. Kinda like a feathered velociraptor?
Biggest threat is probably leopards.
Hmm... .45 lc should work.
Cassaries are avians, who have hollow and fragile bones, so, unlike bear, penetration won't be crucial. However, crocs are amored, so heavy and fast loads are crucial.