There’s more than a couple of dangerous animals in Upstate NY to watch out for and in this post I want to talk about all of them, how to avoid run ins with them and general safety tips. I’ve come across all of these animals during my travels in the area and it’s amazing how easy it can be to run into them, even if it’s a rare occurrence.
Top dangerous animals in Upstate NY:
- Black bears
- Rattlesnakes
- Ticks
These are the 3 main dangerous animals to watch out for when you’re exploring the Upstate area. I’ve had encounters with all of them personally and it’s not pleasant, but there are ways to minimize the chances of running into them. Since they’re all different, let’s go over each one:
Black bears:
There’s a lot of people I know who often ask me if are there bears in Upstate NY and the answer is yes, but the good news is that this is really the only type of bear species you’ll find there.
The good news though is that black bears are mostly shy and non-aggressive despite being common in the dense forests of Upstate NY. So if you’re planning a trip to the region, here’s a few things I’d recommend to boost your chances of avoiding them:
- Don’t carry food that smells
- Hike with others if possible
- Hike on popular/common trails where people are more likely to be
- Carry bear spray with you
- Make a lot of noise when hiking since bears don’t like that
Rattlessnakes:
You may be surprised to hear this but yes rattlesnakes are another dangerous animal you’ll find in Upstate NY, specifically the Timber and Copperhead rattlesnake. Its not just a creature of the Southwest; it’s found in the hilly areas here too. If you spot one, it’s important to back away slowly and give it space. Don’t worry too much about frequent run-ins; these snakes are typically elusive but the only problem is that they are often hidden in bushes. Here’s some tips to avoid them:
- Stay on main trails that are open if possible
- If you hear a rattlesnake, like I said before, back away slowly
I’ve run into one of these before and I’ll tell you that I was shocked (and scared) to find out that NY actually has these.
Ticks:
You might not think of ticks when considering dangerous predators, but the black-legged tick is a tiny foe not to be underestimated. They’re responsible for spreading Lyme disease, a serious and sometimes long term condition. I know because that’s what I caught when I was camping in Upstate NY when I was little. Believe me, it’s not a pleasant experience to have this problem so knowing how to avoid ticks is crucial. Here’s what I recommend:
- Wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible, especially your legs
- Ticks are commonly found in thick bushes so avoid those if you can stay on trails
- Typically ticks are more common to find during the spring/summer seasons
- Carry tick spray if you can
- Check yourself after hiking/camping regularly to make sure you don’t have any ticks on you or your gear
Adopting simple preventive strategies and knowing what to do in case of a bite can make a huge difference. That’s the strategy I like to leverage to ensure that my outdoor experiences are enjoyable and safe. And remember, in the following section, I’ll guide you through more general safety practices to keep in mind while exploring the wonders of nature in Upstate NY.
More tips to stay safe:
Generally speaking if you’re exploring the outdoors in Upstate NY, it’s either because you’re doing a hike or camping there. Regardless of what dangerous animal that’s out there, the good news is that they are rare to encounter (maybe with the exception of ticks), but you should still exercise general safety tips and here’s a good way to go about it:
- Research where you’re going in Upstate NY beforehand to make sure you know what’s there
- Try to avoid buschwhacking if possible as this is where most bugs and unfriendly animals lurk
- Travel with groups if you can. More people basically means more safety, plus if anything should happen it’s good to have an extra person or more to seek help from
- Carry a phone or some sort of satellite phone to call for help in case anything happens
- Avoid leaving food that’s easy to smell because that just attracts the wrong kind of animals to you
- Again, I’m going to recommend you wear clothing that covers as much of your body as possible. I know it’s tempting to wear less, especially with how hot it gets during the summer in the Upstate area, but it’s just not worth the risk.