A Tough
Standard: Dogs On Open Space Must Be Under
Voice & Sight Control
*Leashes required where posted
A dog’s owner or custodian must be
within 75 feet of the dog and be able to effectively control and recall the dog
at all times.
Voice restraint is
enforced regardless of any distractions that may be encountered in the park
(such as wildlife, other dogs or park visitors).
If your dog runs up to people or
other dogs, chases wildlife, or will not consistently come to you immediately
upon command, your dog must be leashed. If you are unsure, be safe and keep
your dog leashed.
Greet Before You Meet - Basic Dog
Etiquette
Mount Jumbo visitors
seek beauty, serenity, and a kind of experience that is not often available in a
metropolitan area. Dog guardians must ensure that canine visitors have a minimal
effect on nature and other visitors.
Respect Others
Other park visitors
may not want to meet your dog, particularly if they are accompanied by a child,
afraid of dogs, elderly, or accompanied by a leashed dog. Some people may be
traumatized by the encounter.
Greet Before You Meet
If your dog is off
leash and approaching another person or dog on the trail, call ahead: “Is it OK
if my dog comes up to you?” or “Is it OK if my dog meets your dog?” If the other
person says no, call your dog back immediately. Under voice and sight control
requirements, your dog is expected to come at once.
Never assume...
that other visitors
or their pets will enjoy contact with your dog!
Use extra caution at trailheads
Parking lots and
trail heads are constricted areas which receive heavy, concentrated use. Dogs
are often in boisterous high spirits when let out of the car. Anticipate and
plan for your dog’s excitement. Keep your dog on a short leash around the
trailhead to minimize disturbances and interaction with other visitors or dogs,
and to protect your dog from backing vehicles and other hazards.
Poop Pick Ups
You are required by
law to remove and dispose of your dog’s excrement. Disposal of your dog’s excrement helps
minimize the spread of disease and is a courtesy to other visitors. Mutt Mitts
for poop pickup are provided free at trail heads. “Disposal” does not mean
leaving the full bags along the trail for others to clean up! Please carry them
back to a trash can.
Report uncontrolled dogs to Animal
Control 541-7387.
Information from University of Montana Curry Health Center
Health Library
Spring (which can begin in late February for ticks) and early
summer are considered to be tick season in western Montana. Reasonable
precautions should prevent acquiring ticks on the body when visiting infested
areas. Wearing clothing in such a manner that ticks are prevented from reaching
the body is a recommended practice. Keeping clothes buttoned and trouser legs
tied or tucked into the shoes are examples of such protection. Lying on the
grass or in the brush with uncovered long hair during tick season is an
invitation for acquiring ticks. This applies to the university campus as well as
to surrounding country. Mount Sentinel, for example, harbors an abundance of
ticks.
Ticks wander around on the body before "settling down", and
are usually attached to the person several hours before feeding. It is wise,
therefore, to "look yourself over" once or twice a day when you are in tick
country. When undressing for bed at night, particular attention should be given
to areas providing good concealment such as the head, the back of the neck or
the genital region.
Ticks
There are two main groups of ticks - the hard ticks (family
ixodidae) and the soft ticks (family argasidae). The hard ticks, particularly
the genus dermacentor, are the most important group of the tick pests of humans
and domestic animals in the United States. Not only are they blood sucking
parasites, species from this group transmit causative organisms of such human
diseases as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, Colorado tick fever and Q
fever. The Rocky Mountain wood tick (dermacentor andersoni) is a well known
inhabitant of western Montana. This tick is found throughout wooded and
sagebrush areas of the western United States and western Canada.
Ticks have four stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, nymph
and adult. The life cycle of the Rocky Mountain wood tick requires about two
years. The larva (seed tick) and nymph stages feed on small animals, usually
rodents. Adults feed on large animals, wild and domestic, and also on humans.
The larvae can be recognized by their six legs, whereas nymphs and adults have
eight legs. Adult ticks are commonly found on grass and other low vegetation
waiting for a passing host. One pair of legs is used to cling to the vegetation
while the other legs are moved about ready to grasp at a host animal. Ticks do
not drop out of trees as is sometimes believed.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever & Colorado Tick fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an uncommon disease in
Montana. Colorado tick fever is much more common. Both illnesses have similar
symptoms of severe headache, body aches, chills, fever and rash. Colorado tick
fever is caused by a virus and will resolve spontaneously. Rocky Mountain
spotted fever, on the other hand, responds to antibiotics, but if untreated can
lead to death in 10-20% of cases. Since, in the few days of illness, it is
impossible to differentiate between these two illnesses, prophylactic
antibiotics are usually given to those acutely ill with these symptoms if they
occur soon after a tick bite or even exposure to ticks. The symptoms of these
tick borne diseases are very similar to influenza. As early treatment is
important for a good outcome, it is important to consult a physician early after
the onset of high fever, headache, body aches, joint pain and rash, especially
if the affected person has been exposed to ticks.
Tick paralysis
Tick paralysis is caused by a toxin injected by attached ticks.
It is most commonly seen in animals. Humans can also be affected. Fatal cases of
tick paralysis have occurred in children when not diagnosed or when diagnosed
improperly. Death from tick paralysis is entirely avoidable. If at the first
signs of weakness or paralysis the offending tick is located and removed,
recovery is rapid and complete.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a multi-system illness caused by a spirochete
(bacteria-like), transmitted by deer ticks and Pacific coast ticks (which are
not found in Montana). Signs and symptoms include rash, arthritis, muscle aches,
neurologic problems, hepatitis. Diagnosis is difficult; antibiotics help. While
Lyme disease is not presently carried in Montana ticks, there is the possibility
it may spread into the state. Like other tick-borne diseases, it cannot be
transmitted from person to person.
Removal of ticks
If a tick becomes attached, the simplest method of removal is
a slow, steady pull that will not break off the mouthparts, thus leaving them in
the wound. Application of alcohol, vaseline, gasoline and other substances do
not work well - nor does the use of a hot match or other heat source.
The pull should be steady but very slow - usually after 20-30
seconds of a slow pull, the tick will release its bite and separate from the
skin. Pulling much quicker than this will usually break off the head, and it
will remain in the skin. It is often recommended to remove ticks with a forceps,
but pulling with the fingers is more sensitive and less likely to pull the head
off. Fingers are always available as well, and early removal of the tick is less
likely to result in infection with a tick borne disease. After removal it is
important to wash the hands, since tick secretions may be infective. If the head
does separate, it is best to have the remaining portion removed by a physician.
Tick control measures
Recommended measures for tick control in recreation areas
include clearing of brush along paths and keeping weeds and grass cut in
picnicking and camping locations. Well-trimmed vegetation in residential areas
is equally important.
Protection from ticks
When visiting infested areas, wear long sleeves and long pants
with legs tucked into socks. Caps or hats help. Various insect repellants may
help; some may be toxic, especially in children. Most importantly, looking
yourself over once or twice a day is a good idea. Ticks
like regions of the body that provide good concealment, so pay particular
attention to hairy areas, head and neck and genitals.
Rules Common to all
City-Owned Conservation Land
Per City Ordinance 2999:
Per municipal code 608.140 dogs
must be on a leash within City limits (see Mount Jumbo section for voice
restraint exception)
Missoula Municipal Code
9.62.030 prevents discharge of firearms within City
limits or within a three-mile radius of City limits
Exceptions and Special Information by Area
Mount Jumbo
Annual Winter Closure to Protect Migrating
Wildlife:
North of Saddle Road closed between December
1 and May 1.
Saddle Road and south closed between
December 1 and March 15.
Areas open all year
Road linking Upper Lincoln Hills with
Tamarack and land below
Trail to “L,” but not beyond
U.S. West easement above I-90
Dogs must be leased on the “L” trail and US West easement (open
areas) from December 1 until March 15.
South zone closure may be extended
to April 1 or beyond in heavy snow years such as 1997 and 2002.
North Hills
Bicycles not allowed on Peschel easement
(private land between the Duncan Drive Waterworks Hill Trailhead and City land
surrounding the ridge)
Mount Sentinel
Bicycles are not allowed on University land,
including UM Golf Course trails accessing City Mount Sentinel land.
Tower Street Property
Because this property is outside of City
limits, dogs are allowed off leash under voice restraint. The City of Missoula
defines voice restraint as meaning “the dog's owner or custodian is personally
within 75' of the dog and is able to able to effectively control and recall the
dog at all times.”
The City will be working with the Montana
Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks to allow limited
bow-hunting, a traditional use of the property, after a parking area is
installed. Trapping is not allowed.
Call 721-PARK for
a copy of Hike, Bike, Run—a comprehensive trail guide published by the
Missoulian newpaper and the Lolo National Forest.
It's also available
on-line.
