They are not necessarily stupid, so much as they are operating in an unknown and unfamiliar environment. Put any of us in unusual situations and we will probably make some regrettable decisions. I am fine in most wilderness contexts, but drop me in some places in a large urban area, and I have a good chance of becoming chopped liver very quickly. Come to think of it, I am not in command of all wilderness environments. I have practically no experience in jungles, for instance.