Hiking trails for dogs

[WJSim]

Oh dear what a shame. I thought the one at Red Mountain Park looked like it was more of a nature reserve with trails but of course I am just looking at it on the web I have never been there.

[Tourian]

My heart breaks.

[vb808]

Originally Posted by WJSim

Oh dear what a shame. I thought the one at Red Mountain Park looked like it was more of a nature reserve with trails but of course I am just looking at it on the web I have never been there.

I also thought the same when I saw the info about Remy's in Red Mountain Park. You actually need to walk along a trail for 5-10 mins or so to get to the dog park area -it really gets your hopes up during the walk in. However once there, its mostly a flat fenced in area with some trees and open grass space for the dogs to socialize and play. It's very nice, but not really what I was looking for. I believe you can bring your dog on-leash throughout the rest of the park trails.

Nonetheless, I appreciate all of the helpful replies from everyone. I'll check with a local vet or two and if I find something different, I'll be sure to post in this forum. I have to say, I'm looking forward not having to take my dog out in the brutal winter weather up north. My dog will miss playing in the snow, but I definitely will not.

[Reactionary]

vb808 - while you're at the vet, please ask about snakebites and tell us what they say.

It's copperhead season, as the little kid discovered at the Birmingham Zoo. Keep your dogs (and your children?) on a leash when walking around nature.

[vb808]

Originally Posted by Reactionary

vb808 - while you're at the vet, please ask about snakebites and tell us what they say.

It's copperhead season, as the little kid discovered at the Birmingham Zoo. Keep your dogs (and your children?) on a leash when walking around nature.

Thanks Reactionary, point taken on the risks of venomous snakes. A friend was just telling me last night that her friend just lost her 5 month old puppy to a snake bite in her fenced-in back yard (they suspect a copperhead). Her dogs have access to the yard via a doggy door; definitely a scary thing.

[Reactionary]

As a dog lover, I'm sad to hear about that puppy. This may not apply to your friend's house, but most established neighborhoods will have rid themselves of venomous snakes, but it takes years to rid a newer neighborhood of snakes. Note that I think venomous snakes have their place, but their place is not anywhere near my family or animals. That's part of why I don't encourage off-leash romps through nature.

Y'all don't have the same wildlife in the Chicago area. We have several species of venomous snakes, and the copperhead is unusual in that it will bite rather than retreat.

[NoleFanHSV]

Because they allow hunting in some of the national forests around here, I believe its OK to have dogs off a leash in Bankhead Forest and Sipsey wildlife area in the forest and on trails. Most national forests do require leashes at the recreational areas though. I have run into many hikers that keep their dog off leash hiking in the Sipsey/Bankhead area. It is a good bit north of Birmingham though. I'd also think the same rules apply at Talledega National forest.

[Reactionary]

LOL totally forgot about hunting dogs. Note that if you claim to be using your dog for hunting, you'll need a hunting license and at least a sharpened stick, spear, bow, or firearm.