Bison are wild animals. Bison have a highly developed sense of smell, and good hearing. They will charge when cornered or if they sense danger to their calves. Bulls can run faster than you can - up to 30 mph! The best advice with dealing with the Island's roughly 200 bison is to stay away from them.
Poison oak is common in Catalina's canyons and creek-beds. If you brush against it stop immediately and wash your skin with soap. Don't scratch! That only spreads it to your hands and then other parts of your body. The rash is sometimes difficult to acquire the first time, but subsequent reactions require less contact and tend to be much more severe.
Rattlesnakes can be seen all year. However they are more commonly seen April through October. It's rare to see or hear a snake along trails and roads, but it's worth it to be careful. Snakes are cold-blooded, so in the heat of the day they're often in the shade of tall grass, and at night they will sometimes try to absorb the heat off the blacktop roads. And even the babies are poisonous.
If you, or someone in your group get bitten by a rattlesnake, quick medical attention is critical. Any bite from a rattlesnake should be regarded as a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate treatment from trained medical professionals.
For more information and in an emergency call the California Poison Control System at (800) 222-1222 or 911.
Heat. Make sure to carry plenty of water. Most of the Island's streams have dried up by May, and the daytime summer temperature can be over 90 degrees.
POLICIES
No smoking or open fires in the interior except at designated campgrounds per Los Angeles County Fire Department ordinances. This is important to stress due to the serious fire danger in Catalina's interior, and the potentially long response times by fire fighters to a remote scene. This applies to all Conservancy employees, island residents and visitors.
The designated areas in the interior where smoking is permitted include: Two Harbors, established campgrounds (with the exception of boat-in sites), leased coves, Haypress, Middle Ranch and Airport in the Sky. These are depicted in this printable map (PDF).
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