Walking alone in forests?

[Vemjs]

I was just wondering if most women are happy to walk through a Forest / big fields / nature reserves on their own for a dog walk? Or do you view this as dangerous?

Sorry it's probably not under right topic!

@TableFlowerss
Abusive relationships do account for nearly half of female victims. But 43% of female victims are attacked by an another known assailant (relative or acquaintance, not an intimate partner). That’s still 5 times more than are attacked by strangers.

I would love to, but I’d never feel safe enough to actually do so. I always stick to well populated areas for safety.

I have a 65lb pitbull but he’s a total wimp (and v old)

I don’t,anymore. Finding a creep is just a matter of luck, not how safe the area is.

This is something that’s been in my thoughts a lot lately as my dog ages, he’s getting very very old and barely manages 20minutes now.

I have always felt very safe with him, he’s an enormous rottweiler that would protect me from anyone.. even letters coming through the door

Depends on the area really. I live next to a forest, I walk alone there nearly every day in spring, summer and autumn (just not in winter because its cross country ski tracks then and the skiiers get mad if you walk there), after dark as well, and feel fine there though there's one bit that's a bit spooky when its dark. Only once did I feel on edge, when a man was walking behind me, I started walking quicker and he kept his same pace so I got far ahead and felt ok, it was at the part of the forest that was very close to a housing estate so I was ready to run off the path and through the trees to get to the road if he quickened his pace too.

I would not want to walk alone in a forested area after dark if it was near a city or in an area I don't know.

My instinct has actually amused me. I was thinking no because there might be monsters or murderers or something. Not reality but too many horror movies

@Heartofstrings

My instinct has actually amused me. I was thinking no because there might be monsters or murderers or something. Not reality but too many horror movies

Me and DD went for a late night walk in the forest on Halloween last year. I was definitely thinking monsters and glad when we got home!

[quote BoomBoomsCousin]@TableFlowerss
Abusive relationships do account for nearly half of female victims. But 43% of female victims are attacked by an another known assailant (relative or acquaintance, not an intimate partner). That’s still 5 times more than are attacked by strangers.[/quote]
Again, I’m not disputing your figures, I’m sure they are bang on. I agree statistically there’s only a small chance a woman would be attacked but a stranger but there are certain steps we can take to make the risk smaller.

I understand why some say fuck it, why should I live in fear and that’s a good way to think but it’s not for everyone.

I did once in the New Forest but I passed a few men on their own and whilst I know they were probably doing the same as me (they were friendly enough said hi etc.) I still felt anxious and nervous being in that situation with no one else around so I wouldn’t do it anymore. But that’s just me.

Yep always have and usually without a dog. Wouldn't occur to me not to. I've got a little nervy moving to my current place as its more rural and rough terrain so slightly paranoid I'll fall, not get help abd the being eaten by wild animals

@Alittlenonsensenowandthen I think society has done a number on me as I don’t even think about being injured or falling far from civilisation, I’m nervous about the lone men walking through and assume they’re all going to murder me 😟

I’ve walked through on my own and there are certain spots that make the hair on the back of my neck stand up and I’ve quickened my pace. I have no clue why, overactive imagination maybe?

Very interesting. I strongly believe in following our intuition or at least paying attention to it. Tiny cues that something is out of place, or the sense of being hunted, or a strange smell we can’t place, these are hard wired into our brains.

As a child I remember suddenly being afraid cycling uphill, on a nice summer day, a country lane I’d cycled many times before. At the top of the hill was a dead deer, with blood running from the carcass. I probably smelt the blood and it set me on high alert. I couldn’t see the deer until I reached the top, just felt afraid. Further up I saw an extra large cat like animal cross the road which I’m sure to this day was a puma.

I used to ride horses a lot and there are places horses won’t walk past, fences they won’t jump, woods they won’t enter. Riding in groups I’ve seen rider after rider try to put their horse at a certain fence and none will jump. And it’s a perfectly normal fence with a good landing and good visibility. Winter or summer, alone or with others, they don’t like that area and won’t jump.

Its more rural and rough terrain so slightly paranoid I'll fall, not get help abd the being eaten by wild animals

Honestly, this is my number 1 fear in the forest. Although what is going to eat me in Epping Forest...?

When I hit puberty, despite the flashings experienced as a child (and one man tried to dismount a friend by grabbing her leg), the unwanted attention increased and I stopped riding out alone completely

This is very sad. I remember being flashed by strangers out riding as a teenager, and one man even tried to grab my reins! Then he complained when my pony spun on a sixpence and kicked him.

We took to riding with hunting whips, not only because the handle is useful to open gates/hold a loose horse but if you feel threatened you can crack the whip in the air and it makes a noise like a gunshot. Nobody comes close to you if you’re cracking a whip!
(Obviously you need a pony who doesn’t mind the sound of a sonic boom). It also works on dogs who come at your horses feet, you don’t need to touch them with the whip but the crack stops them in their tracks!

@TheYearOfSmallThings

Its more rural and rough terrain so slightly paranoid I'll fall, not get help abd the being eaten by wild animals

Honestly, this is my number 1 fear in the forest. Although what is going to eat me in Epping Forest...?

Ever read James Herbert? Rats or liar? Giant cannibal rats live in Epping forest 😉

Yes, I live in london and walk through most forests etc. Can see why people feel uncomfortable doing so though, some parts are very secluded.

I’ve walked through on my own and there are certain spots that make the hair on the back of my neck stand up and I’ve quickened my pace. I have no clue why, overactive imagination maybe?

(Sorry folklore/etymology nerd here) The word Panic actually comes from the name of the Greek god Pan, (God of the wild - associated with nature and wooded areas) who apparently caused humans to flee with unknown fear.

I imagine however it was the feeling that spurned the myth but interesting anyway

I would but I have to admit I am never overly comfortable - sad isn't it

Yes I do but there are times when I know I’ve taken a bit of a risk.

I often walk on my own, with no dog. There are some places that I wouldn't feel comfortable walking in alone though, such as in a city at night, especially in quiet side streets.

@NannyR

I regularly walk alone in forests and other rural areas, no dog. I often go very early in the morning as I like the feeling of having places like that all to myself. I've never felt scared or anxious, I feel a lot more cautious about walking around the inner city area where I live. My train of thought is that the chance of me being attacked is a tiny risk, but the benefits of being out in the outdoors, the peace and quiet and the fresh air, far, far outweigh that tiny risk. If I were to live my life scared of that tiny risk, I would miss out on those benefits.

Beautifully put, @NannyR.

Yes, always.

@blueshoes

Do people really think their dog will protect them? Presumably they have not been in a situation where they were being attacked to know how the dog will respond to the attacker.

Probably not - but if they are large dogs, a potential assailant won't know whether or not the dogs will protect their owner and might decide that the dog walker is not a soft enough target

Giant cannibal rats live in Epping forest 😉

This is alarming news! I will definitely be tucking my trousers into my socks now.