>>270544i had similar problems with the dark ( got attacked by a dog in a patch of forrest at night while picking up pizza when i was 16 or so).
good lights and practise camping in the garden solved the problems for me. i usually carry 1 big (pic related) one and a small back up. when im hiking i sometimes use those big glow sticks (10 cm long) since i can get them cheap. and they keep glowing all night.
i also like to take a solar radio, it covers the creepy background noise of the forest. but you still retain good hearing unlike with earphones. when im in czech i sometimes carry pepper spray because of dogs. never needed it but it is a momento of confidence.
Also take a active look around of your surroundings before darkness so you know where you are at night and where scary shaped trees and bushes are.
it think like people
>>270599 mentioned already the circles around your camp are a good idea. also i remember reading somewhere that men can deter (some) animals with thier pee because its quite high on testostrone.
also never forget its not the stuff that you can hear thats after you, its the stuff you don't hear.
