The straight poop?

[JReedEsq]

My wife and I were doing a hike in the Smokies last Saturday when we noticed what appeared to us to be dog crap in the middle of the trail. We have lots of friends who've seen coyotes in East TN this year including a friend who had a small dog killed. I guessed that the poop we saw was left by someone who took their dog on the trail illegially since it was right in the middle of the trail. Thoughts?

Edit: We're planning to the Smokies again this weekend and the wife is convinced that we shouldn't let our 2 year old out of the backpack to roam on the trails at all. I've always got a close eye on him anyway, so I think we shouldn't let a little dog crap keep him from romping around some.

2nd edit: I'm talking about my 2 year old son. We leave our dogs at home in the Smokies.

Edited June 15, 2010 by JReedEsq

[Il Duce]

those pieces of crap for taking their dog with them even though its illegal

[oldogy]

Unless you have experience sorting out, determining what kind of feces you saw you have to consider it could have come from anything, possum, coon, fox, coyote, feral dog or coy-dog. I find on the trails on my property about every walk I take. I've seen all the animals mentioned around but very seldom do I see anything that appears to be a domestic dog. My concerns would be your dog coming across a very protective momma bear with some little ones this time of year. There was a woman killed, I believe it was just last year when her dog gained the attention of momma bear. This was near a campground just south of me.

Sounds like your backpack dwelling dog may just be 'bite size' for many of the animals that are found in the woods today so I would keep it in the backpack or on a short leash. Have fun in the great outdoors.

oldogy

I'm NOT your attorney, and I'm NOT giving you legal advice:DJust the way an old guy thinks.

Well, part of my reply was based on me thinking your two year old was a puppy dog. Guess that was a bad assumption. And peejman is right about the feces. Feces will be different depending on what the animal has eaten recently.

And if it is your kid, consider keeping him out of poison ivy.

Edited June 15, 2010 by oldogy

[peejman]

Yep, likely from some inconsiderate moron hiking with their dog and not cleaning up after it.

If you've got a dog, you know what domestic dog poop looks like. Coyote poop will have more stuff in it (berries, bones, furr, feathers, etc.) so you can distinguish it. Their tracks also look a little different, though it's hard to tell. Coyote Tracks and Sign

I have a 2 yr old that I take hiking as well and wouldn't worry too much about coyotes snatching him off the main trails. I'd be far more concerned about snakes, wasps, and such. Perhaps a little more concern deep in the back country, but still very unlikely.

[JReedEsq]

I have a 2 yr old that I take hiking as well and wouldn't worry too much about coyotes snatching him off the main trails.

These are my thoughts too. I'm also just curious about coyotes in general. The poop actually didn't look like regular dog poop so who knows? I'll tell my wife that I've consulted with the TGO experts.

[MacGyver]

I'll tell my wife that I've consulted with the TGO experts.

Good luck with that. Our expertise and a $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee.

I wouldn't worry about your 2 yr. old out on the trail too much. As long as you are a responsible parent and keeping him close, I'd let him have fun. I do the same with my 2.

[I_Like_Pie]

Did the poop have little bells in it and smell like cayenne pepper? If not - you are safe.

[The Scullinator]

Coyote Attacks On People in the U.S. and Canada

Here's an interesting link.

Growing up in the country in west tn where I've known for years that they were not far off (frequently heard their yelping). Never once heard of an attack on humans. My little siblings frequently went tromping around in the woods with the rest of us kids and we never even saw one. They are extremely timid creatures. The only time I've ever seen one is when they were not aware that I was there.

[JReedEsq]

As long as you are a responsible parent and keeping him close, I'd let him have fun. I do the same with my 2.

Trust me, I watch him with an eagle eye. I'm just more concerned about things other than coyotes.

[MCSCOTT]

Coyote Attacks On People in the U.S. and Canada

Here's an interesting link.

Growing up in the country in west tn where I've known for years that they were not far off (frequently heard their yelping). Never once heard of an attack on humans. My little siblings frequently went tromping around in the woods with the rest of us kids and we never even saw one. They are extremely timid creatures. The only time I've ever seen one is when they were not aware that I was there.

X2

For the most part if you see one in the woods while you're walking around in the woods then you should consider yourself lucky for the little bit of time that you get to see it, because there's alot of folks who spend alot of time sitting very still trying to get one to come in close so they can get a shot off at them. From what I've seen from my encounters in the Smokies is that the bears aren't much different either, except that the ones I've seen didn't run away they simply walked away once they noticed me. They're different when they have a cub with them, but this is true for any wild animal that has a little one with it so common sense should tell most people to keep their distance.

Best bet is to talk back and forth with the people you're walking with, because the timid animals like coyotes will hear you and run away before you ever see them. If, however, your goal is to be quiet when walking so that you get the chance to see them, then I don't know if I personally would take the 2 year old along for that.