HikeArizona.COM

I am surprised bees didn't make the list.

https://outforia.com/animal-attacks/

Pivo wrote:I am surprised bees didn't make the list.

After surviving a killer bee attack a few years back, bees are the only thing in Arizona that make me nervous about hiking or trail running out here.

@SpiderLegs
After being charged by a rabid fox a few years ago, my list is bees and rabid animals.

Bees.
I've had close encounters with bears, javelina,, cows and bees. Bees are the only things than have chased.

A hiking friend in the past kept a bee veil attached to her backpack strap, just in case of attacking bees. It wasn't one of the flimsy mosquito/ gnat types, but a canvas one with screen mesh.

Pivo wrote:I am surprised

out-for-i-a?
I am not surprised by anything the internet provides for clickable profit, or the lack of accuracy therein.

Clicksite claims data going to 1970. This CDC data only goes back to 2000, but almost as many bee deaths occur EACH YEAR, as have been killed by brown bears in the last 50 YEARS. So yes, bees are exponentially more dangerous than even brown bears.

Interestingly, women are nearly immune from being killed by bees.

During 2000–2017, a total of 1,109 deaths from hornet, wasp, and bee stings occurred, for an annual average of 62 deaths. Deaths ranged from a low of 43 in 2001 to a high of 89 in 2017. Approximately 80% of the deaths were among males.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6829a5.htm

No problem with bees, jumping cholla.

@Nighthiker
YES because when you jump, it jumps with or on you!

It seems to me that most bee deaths are not hikers. They are landscapers or people just working around their homes and they disturb a hive. Not much chance of bears or mountain lions attacking under similar circumstances.

cactuscat wrote:They are landscapers or people just working around their homes and they disturb

Probably true for snakes as well. But snakes are on the clicksite list. Homo sapiens are not. Nor are bees.

Pivo wrote:my list is bees and rabid animals.

Agreed. The bees chase and bring their army. My worst encounter has been in town and ran to my vehicle, where about a dozen joined me inside. Best ninja moves and screaming brought me to the winning side with minimal damage (to me). Made me think what would I have done miles from a vehicle, as I have been surprised by a hive in the wild.
I have seen multiple rabid animals, good thing each were in their final hours.

My top 5 list, in descending order of concern:
1-bees/wasps
2-men
3-grizzlies
4-moose
5-mountain lions—not really worried about these, but a top 4 list seemed kind of weird.

Edit, for local urban hiking, that list would change to:
Bees/wasps
Men
Dogs

@LindaAnn
#5 is where the rabid animals go. Or maybe you covered that with #2?

@chumley Lol! Rabid animals probably is a good substitute for #5