My morning jog isn’t just about staying in physical shape. It’s my time to think through new book chapters, and as it turns out, it’s the perfect training ground for situational awareness.
This morning, just 15 feet away from me, I locked eyes with a wild fox. She was sitting right in the snow by the side of the road. We watched each other in complete silence. Encounters like this happen often out here—in future dispatches, I’ll share what I’ve learned from facing down aggressive wild boars, stalking roe deer, and even observing the carp in the local pond. But this series of “Author’s Field Notes” starts with the fox.
When most people see a predator this close, they either panic or reach for their phones to snap a cute picture. Both are critical mistakes. In the survival community, we call this moment Threat Assessment. And wild nature masters this skill perfectly.
The Science of Calm: Why Didn’t She Run?
The common red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a crepuscular predator. Her senses are fine-tuned to catch the slightest movement. When I suddenly stopped 15 feet away, her survival instinct kicked in immediately. But if you watch the video, you’ll notice she didn’t panic. She didn’t bolt blindly into the woods, burning precious calories.
She froze to gather information.
When we talk about crisis psychology, we teach the exact same protocol. When the power grid fails and chaos erupts, an amateur’s first instinct is to rush, panic, and act impulsively. A veteran’s first instinct—just like an apex predator’s—is to freeze, scan the environment, and evaluate. The fox was calculating: Is this human an immediate threat? What are my escape routes? Is it worth burning energy to run right now?
Hidden Threats: Rabies and the Illusion of Safety
The fact that a wild fox let me get this close is actually a reason for maximum high alert. We live on the edge of the wilderness, and out here, strict rules apply. The greatest invisible danger when encountering wild canines is the Rabies virus.
A healthy wild fox, even one used to seeing humans in the suburbs, will almost always maintain a safe distance. If an animal approaches you, looks disoriented, shows an unnatural lack of fear, or displays unprovoked aggression—that is a massive red flag. The rabies virus hijacks the central nervous system, completely turning off the animal’s self-preservation instinct.
Additionally, foxes are common carriers of dangerous parasites and mange. Nature is not a Disney movie. It is an unforgiving environment that demands absolute respect.
Your Action Protocol: What to Do
If you encounter a wild predator on a jog, a hike, or right in your own backyard, engage your mental protocol immediately:
Freeze and Assess the Threat: Stop panicking. Do not make sudden movements. Jerky, unpredictable gestures can trigger a prey drive or defensive attack.
Never Approach or Feed: Feeding wild animals in suburban areas destroys their natural instincts and creates deadly situations for your neighbors and children.
Break Eye Contact: In the animal kingdom, a hard, unblinking stare is a direct challenge before an attack. Look slightly off to the side, keeping the animal in your peripheral vision.
Create Distance Slowly: If the animal doesn’t retreat, start backing away slowly. Never turn your back on a predator until you are at a safe distance.
Situational Awareness Starts Today
Survival isn’t just about the canned goods stacked in your pantry. It is a mindset. It’s the ability to notice the subtle details around you: a snapping branch in the woods, an unnatural shift in a city crowd, or a wild fox sitting perfectly still 15 feet away. Train this skill every single day.
If you want to build a bulletproof safety net for yourself and your family, start with the foundation.
Stay alert and stay prepared. I’ll see you in the next field note.