travel and rhum

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love dogs and am the proud owner of two pit bulls. I also understand why people bring dogs out in nature reserves or state parks as it brings a sense of protection or helps you connect more with your pet. However, I often volunteer as a naturalist tour guide for a local nature reserve that has a strict no-dog policy.

I would often have to confront any people disobeying this rule and the owner will often get very protective with statements such as “my dog isn’t hurting anyone” or “he’s trained, I’ll tell him to stay near me.” To that I say, I have several answers to those counter arguments.

1. Dogs can spread disease.

Dogs are able to spread disease and parasites to local wildlife through their waste. Canine distemper and neospora can cause devastating affects on our small wildlife communities, especially our gray fox and coyote pairs.

1. Leashed Dogs scare a lot of wildlife, unleashed dogs are even worse.

A leashed dogs’ barking or yapping can startle most wildlife away from the area and causes a large amount of stress. Raccoons, opossum, deer, and ground dwelling birds often flee the area and stay away from any local trails for a long time. Even dogs that are trained to remain silent can cause animals stress. These stressed-out animals may find it hard to raise their young or find safer feeding grounds. Ground nesting birds are often harassed. I remember a nesting pair of Killdeer last summer was constantly harassed by people who were secretly walking their dogs in the nearby area.

Unleashed dogs are even worse as they can kill native wildlife. Beneficial snake, birds, toads, and box turtles species can be killed. Unleashed dogs can also fall victim to venomous bites from snakes or become poisoned by toads. Also, dogs that go off the trail often trample certain protected species of fungi and plants.

1. Curtesy of others

Let’s be real here…. Some people do not like dogs (unfortunately). Not only can your dog cause stress for wildlife, it could also put stress on other hikers. Nobody trusts the owner who claims that their dog is “friendly” while holding back a loud growling German shepherd.

So I recommended to not bring a dog with high wildlife activity/biodiversity or a nature reserve/national park with trails that prohibit dogs. If you are able to, keep your dog on a very short leash and make sure to pick up its shit with a bag (don’t just leave it on a branch on the trail somewhere). Also, if you have the money for it; train your pup to avoid barking at wildlife.

So I’ve been hiking for over 20 years, I regularly go to a local park to walk my dog (pavement is boring) well about two years ago they started improving the single tracks and now has turned in to a MTB haven. I thought no biggie I’ll just stay on the two tracks and hike the singles in the off season. Well those singles intersect with many parts of the two tracks and here’s where the problem begins!

First the MTB’ers don’t look and come flying into the intersection (there are signs on singles warning of intersection crossing) I’ve almost been taken out. Which I’m not to concerned with myself but rather my dog who I let pull cuz I’m 40 and work skilled trades so this body is quite beat up and a little extra help uphill is always appreciated. With dog in front they have came close to hitting her or the leash taking both of us out! So now I am forced to make sure I’m listening (I’m hard of hearing from the trades) and can never fully get into zoning out and just putting one foot in front of the other.

Second they ride in massive groups 50+ (not exaggerating) and I’ve had them ride right pass us after we are done and chilling at the car. There are ways around us but it seems they intentionally ride as close to the dog as possible to the point now when we get to the parking lot my dog tucks tail and wants immediately in the car! I’ve hollered at them that riding that close with sooo many people is not safe for them or my dog and to give space. I’ve also forced them to go around by blocking that pathway (note: this in NOT the trail just the parking lot grass like 5-8’ from my tailgate)

So just yesterday I decided I’m not going there and I’d got to another park, longer drive but less people! Ya we’ll that trail which is a nice easy and beautiful walk. On a bike it would be a beginners trail nothing technical and not much elevation so experienced MTB’ers can fly through it. You use to see maybe a bike or two in 6 miles not since the pandemic it is being over run with MTB’ers too which makes no sense as there is a far better trail system for MTB literally 1/4 mile up the road.

I’ve put a bell on my dog’s harness/backpack but I don’t think they hear it and some have headphones in. Why do us hikers have to be the ones on hyper alert when they are the ones who ruin the trails and can do more bodily damage in a crash (there are no accidents one or more were not paying attention) how is everyone handling these situations? I’ve noticed when I carry a large fixed blade hunting knife MTB’ers seem to be far more pleasant and more likely to give right of way! Is that the answer scare and intimidate them into submission?

EDIT: I think some missed the part where I said I’M HARD OF HEARING so unless a bike is right next to me or it’s a high end bike with a loud cassette I tend to rely on my dog to know if someone is coming but if she’s