When Man Becomes Prey: Fatal Encounters with North America’s Most Feared Predators

A thoughtful well written work presenting multiple viewpoints and concise summaries of the actions most likely to get a person through a predators human conflict alive. I thought I had adequately researched this subject but this author introduced me to several new concepts.As a resident of a very rural area it simply never occurred to me that because I didn't see a predator did not mean it didn't see me. Duh. In her discussions of habituation it became clear that I had a very limited idea of the mechanics involved.Ultimately I have the highest praise for this book, the facts included and the authors non judgemental presentation. Her summaries of actions that could well save your life in the event of a possibility lethal meeting with the five predators covered were concise and easily grasped. In my location the only predator I personally would not meet is the grizzly, which is the predator most commonly considered in my reading. Now I'm in possession of information pertinent to me for which I am thankful.

Bears, wolves, coyotes, mountain lions. The book has a very nice structure of explaining an animal's usual behavior, detailing some retrospectives on attacks that took place, and then ending with tips on how to interact with or avoid/escape encounters with these animals. I've read it 2x and it's very interesting to me. I haven't felt the need to skip through a single paragraph.

I've always been fascinated with accounts documenting animals that still dare to consider humans as part of the food chain, but in reality, most such accounts are often lurid, sensationalized, reporting, with little real animal knowledge or understanding. And then there are those accounts that deify animal predators unrealistically, always making each attack incident somehow the humans' fault, forgetting that we humans are made up of meat, and many meat-eating critters fully realize this, even if we do not! But this book is well researched and a fair(if blunt) account of all the most likely larger North American predators that might think about having you for dinner, do you visit them in their homes! And though it is written as a "how-to-and-what-NOT-to do" guide book, it is chock full of actual incidents and real(fascinating) animal behavior that makes it interesting as well as usefully functional reading. Modern humans are getting increasingly unrealistic in their views on animals, not knowing how to act when they encounter them, and with all the predator species in this book increasing their numbers in recent times, it would behoove anyone contemplating going anywhere where they may encounter such animals, to read and learn from this book! I cannot imagine going almost anywhere without the means to protect myself, and though I'd never wish to harm any of these animals, and I am thrilled at their recovery/reintroductions/and population increases, I still would wish for the means to defend myself(as clearly described in this book), should I be one of the rare, unfortunate people who ends up being in the wrong place with the wrong animal(s) one day! In arming oneself and being prepared, I think gives one a certain confidence that can be read by animals in body language, and may automatically decide them to look elsewhere for more vulnerable, easier prey. And arming yourself in such a way can actually come in handy for the far more likely possibility of being attacked by your own species--bear spray works just as effectively to deter primates!

It’s been awhile since I read this and I’ve read a few other books about predators. This book discusses bears, wolves, coyotes, and mountain lions. It explains in great detail how these predator animals become “habituated” to humans. People recreate in the animals’ habitats, people wrongly feed wild animals and get too close to them for pictures, people’s neighborhoods have woodsy areas and trash/garbage that attracts animals, etc. The wild animals get acclimated to people instead of being afraid and keeping their distance. The book discusses what Park Rangers, Wildlife experts, town councils, and everyday people, etc., can do to protect themselves, their pets, and the wild animals from harm. These predators are wild and they do eat meat, whether it’s you or other animals. Nothing good comes from getting too close to an unpredictable wild animal, and wearing bells and shouting “stay away” rarely deters them. This book is lengthy and repetitious, but it gets its point across. It gives plenty of instances of people who did not survive contacts with these various animals. Lots of the tragedies could have been avoided by being smart and prepared.

I felt there was too much data, an not enough stories . Some of the research was interesting, but repetitive . It was not what I expected at all.Too many facts, and not enough true life stories.

a very good book, and good reminder for me to keep alert when they go through my backyard!

excellent book!

Excellent read!