longranger
New member
This past week I spent 4 days and 3 nights in the Cloud Peak Wilderness/Circle Park trail loop here in Wyoming.
I have been aware that dogs were allowed in the wilderness area(a shame)and this area is popular and recieves fairly heavy use by families and groups as big as 4-8 people.
Over the 4 days I experienced contact on the trail(15 mile loop)with 5 different dogs with their owners.Of those 5 only 1 was what I would call "friendly".Once the dog recognized what I was she was fine,a less than a year old Lab puppy.None were on leashes.
Now the other 4 is where I have concerns, individual encounters with 3 on the trail and one encounter with 2 dogs in the parking lot of the trailhead.
I will term these dogs as "flatlander dogs",these dogs have no experience or very limited experience with meeting hikers on forest/backcountry trails.Surprising each other on the trail has been anxious for me and the dogs.The dogs will 90% of the time take a defensive posture and show aggression until the owner either catches up the dog or the dog realizes I am no threat.
On my return trip to the trailhead parking lot I had just stepped off the trial onto asphalt parking lot. When 2 Lab/cross dogs come from behind pickup parked in the lot with it's tonneau cover up.Immeadiately the female pins her ears back and is growling and showing her teeth.The male circles behind me,I do not see the owner,I assume he's at the back of his truck readying his gear.I am carrying a 65lb pack and a Simms walking stick,the female creeps forward still growling and showing teeth.She gets close enough for me to poke her in the mouth/nose area with walking stick.
I finally yell to get the attention of who I think the owner is,he walks from behind the truck and yells at his dogs.The male who was never a problem goes right over to his owner.The female is paying no attention to his commands until he starts to walk over and catches her up and puts her into his truck.Then turns to me and says "I don't think she likes your stick" I say "I don't like getting %^$#%#@ bit,you are lucky I did not shoot your dog".I walk to my truck and drop my pack, a little shaken.
My experience with dogs on the trail deteriorated rather quickly and I made few obsevations regarding dogs in the woods.
1. Keep them on damn leash unless they are working dogs(never had problem with a ranch dog,because they are working)
2.If you are a dog owner and walk the public trails with your dog off leash, should your dog decide to be rude on the trail.If you demonstate in the first minute you are incompetent in controlling your dog. I will shoot your dog if threatened.
3. I will from now on open carry my revolver when in the wilderness area.(I had a revolver with me, buried in my pack)
I have checked with the 3 Law Enforcement Agencies that would or could have jurisdiction.I have been assured If threatened I can protect myself.
I don't think I have over stated my position on this matter,I see alot of young families doing back packing trips and the like with their kids.
I think NPS has a bad policy allowing dogs in Wilderness Areas,it really destroys the experience of the wilderness.
I have been aware that dogs were allowed in the wilderness area(a shame)and this area is popular and recieves fairly heavy use by families and groups as big as 4-8 people.
Over the 4 days I experienced contact on the trail(15 mile loop)with 5 different dogs with their owners.Of those 5 only 1 was what I would call "friendly".Once the dog recognized what I was she was fine,a less than a year old Lab puppy.None were on leashes.
Now the other 4 is where I have concerns, individual encounters with 3 on the trail and one encounter with 2 dogs in the parking lot of the trailhead.
I will term these dogs as "flatlander dogs",these dogs have no experience or very limited experience with meeting hikers on forest/backcountry trails.Surprising each other on the trail has been anxious for me and the dogs.The dogs will 90% of the time take a defensive posture and show aggression until the owner either catches up the dog or the dog realizes I am no threat.
On my return trip to the trailhead parking lot I had just stepped off the trial onto asphalt parking lot. When 2 Lab/cross dogs come from behind pickup parked in the lot with it's tonneau cover up.Immeadiately the female pins her ears back and is growling and showing her teeth.The male circles behind me,I do not see the owner,I assume he's at the back of his truck readying his gear.I am carrying a 65lb pack and a Simms walking stick,the female creeps forward still growling and showing teeth.She gets close enough for me to poke her in the mouth/nose area with walking stick.
I finally yell to get the attention of who I think the owner is,he walks from behind the truck and yells at his dogs.The male who was never a problem goes right over to his owner.The female is paying no attention to his commands until he starts to walk over and catches her up and puts her into his truck.Then turns to me and says "I don't think she likes your stick" I say "I don't like getting %^$#%#@ bit,you are lucky I did not shoot your dog".I walk to my truck and drop my pack, a little shaken.
My experience with dogs on the trail deteriorated rather quickly and I made few obsevations regarding dogs in the woods.
1. Keep them on damn leash unless they are working dogs(never had problem with a ranch dog,because they are working)
2.If you are a dog owner and walk the public trails with your dog off leash, should your dog decide to be rude on the trail.If you demonstate in the first minute you are incompetent in controlling your dog. I will shoot your dog if threatened.
3. I will from now on open carry my revolver when in the wilderness area.(I had a revolver with me, buried in my pack)
I have checked with the 3 Law Enforcement Agencies that would or could have jurisdiction.I have been assured If threatened I can protect myself.
I don't think I have over stated my position on this matter,I see alot of young families doing back packing trips and the like with their kids.
I think NPS has a bad policy allowing dogs in Wilderness Areas,it really destroys the experience of the wilderness.
