Though hiking is a great way to work out and connect with nature, it can pose risks if you hike alone or are one of the only people on the trail.

We often forget that we are intruding on nature when we explore the great outdoors. While it might be exciting to see a wild animal up close, it is important to remember that it can pose a serious threat if you get too close.

Rebecca Clark from Texas was hiking at Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway by herself when she saw a few bison off in the distance. The animals blocking the hiking trail were so big that she didn’t want to turn back, and she also didn’t want to wait around for them to move. She was hoping they would just keep going and get out of her way.

Once the bison had crossed the trail and Clark felt it was safe to continue, she went back on her hike. As she walked by the bison, one of them glared at her and ran straight for her, tossing her into a bush with its horns. To show just how important it is to keep your distance from any bison you may encounter, she captured the encounter on camera and posted it to TikTok.

@rebeccaclark Solo hiking at Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway in Texas. I was charged and gored by a bison because I was to CLOSE to be passing them on a trailway They are beautiful creatures protected by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) and are a part of the Texas State Bison Restoration Project where the park has restored the historic Charles Goodnight Bison herd (The Official Texas State Bison Herd) to a portion of its former range in the park. I am posting to support safety while enjoying Texas State Parks #TPWD #bisonetiquette101 #hikingsafety #llbean #chaos #rei ♬ dumb dumb – sped up – mazie

In further videos, Clark clarified that she is recovering and finds amusement in the comments on her post. She also shared several tips if you happen to see any bison when you’re out hiking. First, a twitching tail means the buffalo is agitated and you are in danger. Second, 50 yards is considered a safe distance from a buffalo. A helpful way to know if you’re too close to the buffalo is by gauging whether or not your thumb covers it when held up. Lastly, if you see a buffalo that’s too close or twitching its tail, don’t try to cross the path. Instead, turn around and walk back the way you came.

When was the last time you came across a wild animal while out on a hike?