JACKSON, Wyo. — As summer tourism and traffic heat up across the valley, more Jacksonites are finding respite in the local trails surrounding town.
Routes like Cache Creek, Game Creek, and Trail Creek (Old Pass Road) are shared by hikers, mountain bikers, runners, dogs and occasionally horses this time of year. Trailheads can get crowded with vehicles coming and going, old friends catching up, and dogs rooting around at new smells. With an estimated 11,000 dogs in Teton County, it’s no secret that a large segment of the local population loves pooches. It’s rare to not encounter any four-leggeds while taking a stroll outside of the national parks; and it’s always a good time to follow local regulations out of respect for other trail users and the environment.
Friends of the Bridger-Teton (FBT) board member and former Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) Recreational Program Manager Linda Merigliano told Buckrail that the mandatory dog-leash zones at certain developed trailheads are an attempt to curb congestion and confusion in the area. Another primary reason for the leash rule is that an off-leash dog will likely be allowed out of its vehicle to roam around while the owner gets ready for their hike or bike ride. This is typically when a dog will sniff out its surroundings to find a spot to do its business, and the owner can easily miss it.
In 2015, BTNF announced a one-week moratorium on dog use at Cache Creek Trail because of festering dog poop piles and a few too many conflicts between dogs and wildlife. Later that year, the year-round mandatory leash zone at Cache Creek and Trail Creek trailheads was put in place. For decades, agencies have worked to strike a balance between responsible dog ownership and landscape preservation. Merigliano, who worked for BTNF for 35 years, explained that educational efforts first began in the early 2000s. BTNF eventually implemented leash requirements from Dec. 1 to May 1 on land adjacent to wildlife winter range in 2005. Five years later, BTNF surveyed trailheads during the winter for piles of dog poop and later hosted a cleanup day where they collected 25 garbage bags full of excrement.
“We actually went out during the wintertime when it was really visible, and we put pin flags next to every poo pile,” Merigliano said. “So when people came in, they just saw the sea of little orange flags and it was a way to try to get across the idea that you might not think that your one dog doing his business is that big of a deal. … If everybody’s bringing their dogs to the trail and pooping, it’s like four tons.”
It serves as a good reminder that, while some measures are in place for public courtesy, most exist for specific reasons relating to responsibility, pet and wildlife safety, and ecological protection. With the cleanliness of trails significantly improved, the area of concern has now turned toward dog control and canines who are allowed to roam off leash. In 2023, a young dog could not be recalled after it began harassing deer and elk on High School Butte. Unfortunately, a fawn was attacked and killed, and the Teton County Sheriff’s Office had to step in to kill the dog before it could cause more damage. It is an extreme example with a result that had not occurred in nearly 20 years. Sheriff Matt Carr described it at the time as “a sad day.”
Per the Town of Jackson Code of Ordinances Title 7, if a dog is not under control on a safe leash, it must be “under voice control regardless of circumstances or distractions that may be encountered, and the owner shall at all times be clearly and fully within unobstructed sight and hearing of the animal.”
PAWS Director of Programs and Engagement Stephanie Sokol recently published a blog post and opinion piece in the Jackson Hole News&Guide describing an incident where her leashed dog was charged at and attacked by an off-leash dog. Her story underscores an anxiety that many people experience when encountering an unrestrained dog.
“When it comes to pet ownership, do I think there are pet owners and do I know there are pet owners that have recall and have control over their pet in public places per the ordinance? Absolutely,” Sokol told Buckrail. “I see beautiful examples of that ownership everyday. On the flip side, unfortunately, I’m more of the viewpoint that the person with the dog off leash, not having their pet under control, is more of the norm and not so much the exception.”
Evan Matthews, a Victor resident who hikes with his dogs regularly on Josie’s Ridge, Munger Mountain, and Cache Creek, told Buckrail that his Aussie mix Juniper is e-collar trained but his other dog stays on a leash for hikes and doesn’t join for trail runs. He believes off-leash time is a good way for people and their dogs to experience the outdoors together, so long as the dog has proper training. As a former wildlife guide, Matthews is careful not to allow his pets to chase wildlife.
“Especially if you have a dog with recall, [being off leash] just gives them a lot of freedom and can kind of help them get worn out, not just physically, but also mentally,” Matthews said. “You know, they have that ability to have a little bit of freedom, but then they have to pay attention when you call them back.”
Sokol, with PAWS, chalks the off-leash phenomenon up to a cultural norm that she hasn’t experienced elsewhere. FBT’s Ambassadors for Responsible Recreation program puts volunteers directly on trails to connect with local users and educate them on sensible and respectful use, dog or no dog. Merigliano expressed gratitude toward dog owners who clean up after their pets, train them, and leash them at trailhead areas.
“You are helping keep the water clean, protect wildlife, and make the trails be enjoyable for everyone,” Merigliano said. “Your actions to be a responsible dog owner make a difference! The trail ambassadors are there to help people who may not understand the why behind the responsibilities. Be kind and join the movement to be part of a community that cares about people and the amazing public lands in our backyard.”
Got feedback on this topic? Send Buckrail your thoughts at tips@buckrail.com.
