Wildlife managers ask people to control dogs
By Cory Hatch, Jackson Hole, Wyo.
June 8, 2009
Wildlife managers around Jackson Hole are asking people to use extra caution when hiking with their pets during the next few weeks because baby moose, deer and elk have been seen around the region.
Linda Merigliano, recreation program manager for the Jackson Ranger District of Bridger-Teton National Forest, said hikers recently encountered a cow moose and her calf near Crater Lake on Old Pass Road. U.S. Forest Service officials are asking that people not take their dogs above Crater Lake to give the mother and her baby the space they need.
“Dogs and newborn critters don’t mix well,” Merigliano said. “The moose is probably going to move off as soon as they regain a little strength.”
While wildlife managers say people should use extra caution just about everywhere in the region, some of the hot spots for newborn animals are Teton Pass, Hagen Trail, Game Creek and, for elk calves, Munger Mountain.
Merigliano said keeping dogs away from newborn wildlife not only protects the wildlife but also the dog.
“If you see a moose, don’t approach it,” she said. “It’s best to turn around and take another trail. You don’t want to risk your dog attacking a calf or the mother moose killing your dog or injuring you.”
“Many people aren’t aware that moose are very strong and their kicking ability is amazing,” Merigliano said. “There are many instances of dogs being killed by moose. It happens every year.”
Wyoming Game and Fish Department spokesman Mark Gocke also stressed that dogs should be kept under control in the wilds.
“It’s that time of year when the young are being born and they’re instinctively staying still,” Gocke said. “Even if they do get up and run, a dog can catch them. It’s just really important that we keep control of our pets just for everybody involved.”
Gocke also reminded people not to pick up a baby animal, even if it looks like the mother has abandoned it.
“That’s a common thing mothers do to try and draw predators and other things away from their babies,” he said. “That doesn’t mean they’ll be abandoned. Often, the mothers come back. Our instinct is to pick it up and try and care for it, but the best caregiver is its natural mother.”
Grand Teton National Park spokeswoman Jackie Skaggs said dogs pose a danger to ground-nesting birds, as well.
“Young sage grouse could be vulnerable to something like that, too,” she said, adding that people in the park need to comply with rules that require dogs to be on a leash at all times and restrict their movement to park roads and parking lots.
