Guide to Camping and Wildlife

Camping With Canines
Taking dogs on a camping trip can be great fun for you and the dog. However, some campsites and parks do not allow pets, so be sure to check the rules before you go. If pets are allowed, you may need to prove that vaccinations are current.

When camping in wilderness areas, keep dogs close to you at all times – preferably on a leash. Don't leave your dog tied up outside as you sleep as it will be vulnerable to attack by bears, cougars or other animals. Instead, bring your dog into the tent or allow it to sleep in the vehicle. It's also a good idea to use temporary I.D. tags so people will know how to contact you if your dog is lost during your trip.

Minimize Your Impact
As a camper, it is your responsibility to make as little impact as possible on the living creatures that make their home in the camping region. Consider wearing low-tread shoes so you don't destroy vegetation as you walk and avoid plants in favor of rock, sand or dirt when possible. Also, be careful not to create new trails as this can confuse animals that regularly pass through the area. Another golden rule of camping is to keep noise pollution to a minimum. A lot of animals rely on vocalizations to communicate over large distances, and noises from stereos and car engines can drown out these subtle sounds. They can also disturb the delicate balance between predator and prey.

Keep Your Campfire Safe
For many people, building a campfire is one of the most enjoyable aspects of wilderness camping. It provides warmth, entertainment and a source of heat for cooking. Besides, we all look better by firelight, right? However, campfires can have a negative effect on the environment and increase the risk of wild fires.

If you decide to have a fire and there is no fire ring available, try building a mound fire. Start by piling mineral soil (soil with no leaves or other organic material) into a mound about 6 to 8 inches high and 20 inches in diameter. Then, build your fire on top of the mound using fallen wood. After the fire cools, simply scatter the ash and remaining dirt. Another method of minimizing the impact of your campfire is to use a fire pan, which is just a metal pan that keeps the flames contained. That way, the fire won't singe the soil or burn out of control.

When Nature Calls...
Figuring out how to pee and poop is often one of the most challenging aspects of camping. For the former, simply stand or squat behind a tree. Human urine is relatively sterile, so it won't do any harm. For the latter, you'll need to be a bit more conscientious. Leaving feces exposed around a campsite is unsanitary for you and your fellow campers and unhealthy for the wilderness area. The smell of human excrement is a powerful signal that an area is off-limits and this can be devastating to an animal whose territory you may be camping in.

Learning to poop in the great outdoors can be a bit tricky for first timers, but you'll get the hang of it in no time. Choose a private spot that's at least 200 feet from streams or other waterways. Dig a hole about 6 inches deep (using a small garden trowel works best), and then squat over it to do your business. Be sure to fill the hole completely afterwards. You don't want anyone stepping in it later. Also, remember to carry a plastic bag and pack out tissue paper or sanitary products.

Naturalize Your Campsite
Conscientious campers make a habit of naturalizing a site at the end of their stay. This goes beyond cleaning up trash and making sure a campfire is cooled. Naturalization refers to doing all you can to return a wilderness area to the condition it was in before you camped there, including replacing rocks, logs and cleared brush as well as wiping out footprints and dispersing fire ash.

Drive Carefully
Last but not least, when you are driving into and out of a wilderness area, go slow and be very careful. One of the greatest dangers to wildlife – especially young animals – is vehicle traffic passing through their territory.