Key Takeaways

• Wildlife encounters on New Hampshire trails are rare, especially when campers hike in groups and follow safety guidelines.
• Moose and black bears require different safety responses, including maintaining distance, staying calm, and never running.
• Smaller wildlife concerns, such as black widow spiders, require awareness and avoiding sudden movements if one is spotted.
• Proper food storage, insect repellent, and attentive hiking habits reduce risks from both large animals and insects.
• Education from camp leaders and local conservation partners helps campers explore nature responsibly and confidently.

Camp Quinebarge, a traditional co-ed sleepaway camp in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, has welcomed generations of young campers since 1936. Known for its emphasis on kindness, friendship, and fun, Camp Quinebarge offers a wide variety of outdoor activities across its 70-acre forested property and 1,250 feet of lakefront. Campers enjoy hiking, boating, rock climbing, archery, and signature Monkeytown events that foster camaraderie and creativity.

As part of its mission to promote respect for nature and personal responsibility, Camp Quinebarge also teaches campers how to explore the outdoors safely. Located in an area rich with wildlife, the camp partners with groups such as the Squam Lakes Science Center and the Lake Kanasatka Watershed Association to educate children about local ecology.

With that foundation, the following guidance introduces key safety practices for campers who may encounter wildlife on New Hampshire trails.

A Few Wildlife Encounter Safety Tips for Campers in New Hampshire

Summer camp provides American youths with many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Studies suggest that children who spend time outdoors are, on average, happier, less anxious, and more attentive than their peers who spend time indoors. Recreational camp activities, such as hiking, also provide many health benefits; physical exercise on hiking trails can reduce a child’s risk of weight problems, which affect nearly 40 percent of American children.

While hiking offers many benefits, young campers in New Hampshire must also take precautions, such as preparing for potential encounters with wildlife on hiking trails.

To begin, young hikers and campers should know that encounters with wild animals on hiking trails are rare, especially when hiking in groups. Animals typically hear humans long before humans are aware of their presence, and either hide or head in the opposite direction. If children do see animals while hiking, they can usually admire wildlife from a distance and calmly move elsewhere along the trail without issue.

That said, hikers sometimes stumble upon an unsuspecting animal or enter an area where a mother is looking after her young. In these instances, campers should understand how to handle the situation best. Safety practices for animal encounters vary depending on the animal and other factors.

Moose represent arguably the most dangerous animals campers may encounter while hiking in New Hampshire, especially because they may appear more peaceful and docile compared to other animals, such as bears. However, if moose feel threatened, they can charge at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. Moose are most active between April and November, increasing the chances of an encounter during camp season.

Observing a moose grazing at a safe distance can be an exhilarating experience for campers, but children should never approach the animals. If a moose is anywhere in the area, hikers should remain calm and quiet, maintain a minimum distance of 50 yards, and watch for warning signs, such as the animal lowering its head or flattening its ears. Campers cannot outrun an aggressive moose, so they should seek adequate cover, such as a boulder or a large tree.

Seeing a black bear while hiking in New Hampshire can also make for an unforgettable camp memory, though, again, humans should never seek out this type of contact and should maintain as much distance as possible from bears. The state has a healthy black bear population in virtually all areas, so counselors and camp leaders must educate campers on bear safety.

Hikers should never come between a bear and food, though properly storing and disposing of food is a key aspect of hiking and camping safety. Similarly, campers should know that mother bears with cubs can be especially aggressive if they perceive a threat. If hikers find themselves near a black bear, they should not run; instead, they should remain calm. Although humans should never position themselves in a way that makes the bear feel cornered, they should maintain an assertive tone and, if necessary, wave their arms overhead to make themselves appear larger and more formidable.

Campers should not fear black bear attacks, which are very rare. That said, in the unlikely event of an attack, hikers should not run, climb a tree, or play dead, as these tactics do not affect black bears.

Not all potentially dangerous wildlife encounters in New Hampshire involve large animals. Northern black widow spiders make their homes in woodpiles, hollow logs, under rocks, and in dense forest areas. Black widows, like larger animals, typically retreat in the presence of humans. Hikers should always pay attention to the trail to avoid falling or slipping, but also to avoid walking through a spider web. If a camper notices a black widow nearby, they should not make any sudden movements and wait for the spider to flee.

Lastly, all campers must appreciate the dangers posed by mosquitoes and ticks. Campers should wear insect repellent and appropriate clothing, whether hiking or not, to avoid contracting insect-borne diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How common are wildlife encounters for campers in New Hampshire?

Encounters are uncommon because most animals avoid humans. Groups make even less frequent contact since noise alerts wildlife early.

2. What should children do if they see a moose on the trail?

Campers should stay calm, keep at least 50 yards of distance, watch for warning signs, and move behind a tree or boulder if the moose feels threatened.

3. How should hikers respond to seeing a black bear?

They should remain calm, avoid running, speak in an assertive tone, and make themselves appear larger without cornering the bear.

4. Are black widow spiders dangerous to campers?

Black widows usually retreat from humans. Campers should avoid disturbing them, remain still if one is nearby, and let the spider move away.

5. How can campers protect themselves from ticks and mosquitoes?

Using insect repellent, wearing proper clothing, and checking for ticks after activities help reduce the risk of insect-borne illnesses.

About Camp Quinebarge

Camp Quinebarge is a co-ed summer camp in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, offering traditional outdoor recreation, creative arts, and character-building programs for children ages six to 16. Set on 70 wooded acres along Lake Kanasatka, it provides activities such as sailing, swimming, hiking, and rock climbing. Established in 1936, Camp Quinebarge emphasizes kindness, friendship, and respect for nature while maintaining strong partnerships with local conservation and community organizations.