How to protect yourself from dangerous people while hiking

By Aislinn Sarncki

I bought pepper spray a few days ago.

It was simple. I walked into Maine Military Supply and said, “I need pepper spray or bear spray.”

“Well, they’re two different things,” the store clerk informed me.

“It’s for people,” I offered.

“Ah, then you need pepper spray,” she said.

Plucking a few options from a display, she laid them out on the counter. They were tiny little canisters, each about the size of a pocket lighter. At first glance, they didn’t look like a particularly powerful way to defend myself. But I selected two — one for hiking and one for home. One was on sale. Comfort of mind at a bargain.

The exchange reminded me of a question that’s been circulating through social media: Would you rather be alone in the forest with a bear or a man?

Many women choose the bear. Some men choose the bear, too.

The question has stirred up an important conversation about violence in our society. Stranger danger is a real concern, especially for women. Some men didn’t get it. They asked, why would anyone choose the bear?

So a second question was posed: “Would you rather your daughter or sister were left alone in the forest with a bear or a strange man?” This turned on a few lightbulbs.

Yet the danger is real for all genders. Recent data reveals that violent crime victims in the United States are nearly 50/50 female and male, while violent criminals are more likely to be male. 

In 2022, the most recent year of full crime datasets published by the FBI, violent crime offenders were 77 percent male.

In the past, when people in my life have expressed concern for me doing solo hiking, I’ve pointed out that there are a lot more dangerous people in an urban setting than in the wilderness. 

But I’m starting to realize that’s not a sound argument. 

Just because I’m less likely to run into a dangerous person on a hiking trail than in an alleyway of New York City doesn’t mean that I should ignore the fact that it could happen. Certain people, unfortunately, are out to cause harm, whether on a city street or a forest path. 

So I bought pepper spray, and I’m considering other options.

Violence on trails is rare, but it has happened. Hikers often refer to the couple that was murdered while hiking the Appalachian Trail in 1990. But there are other cases. In fact, an acquaintance of mine was chased by two strange men while canoe camping in Maine. She hid from them in the forest until they gave up.

I’ve had a few uncomfortable interactions, though nothing as scary as that. 

Once, while hiking with my mom up Mount Pisgah in Winthrop, a man descending the trail insisted on petting my dog, Oreo, who was barking and growling at him. I eventually convinced the man that he might lose a finger, and he went on his way down the mountain. I thought that was the end of it.

At the top of the mountain, my mom and I took turns climbing the observation tower so someone could stay on the ground with Oreo. I was standing on the platform, enjoying the view, when the man from earlier suddenly appeared and tried to strike up a conversation. It seemed he’d turned around to hike up after us. Uneasy, I returned to my mom immediately.

Oreo, who is now in doggy heaven, was a great little guard dog. Strangers needed to earn his trust. 

My current dog, Juno, is a ham who likes back scratches. Perhaps she could sniff out a bad egg and come to my defense if needed, but I’d hate to test that theory. All I can think about is that terrible scene from “John Wick.” (No spoilers. If you know, you know.)

The pepper spray I purchased clips to the strap of my backpack so I can access it quickly. But is that enough?

Should I carry another form of defense? A taser? A gun? I know this is a controversial topic. I’ve been fighting with myself about it, so you’re welcome to enter the fray. I’d love to hear your opinion. How do you protect yourself from dangerous people while hiking or spending time outdoors?

I believe that you should only carry weapons that you know how to use. I worry about any weapon I carry being taken and used against me. I’m thinking of taking a self-defense course.

For me, there isn’t a simple answer. But I’m exploring my options rather than ignoring the danger. That’s one step in the right direction.

One thing I know for sure: This potential danger won’t keep me out of the woods. The majority of people on trails are wonderful and harmless. And in Maine, the bears typically run in the opposite direction.