Trail Mix

Lions, Tigers, & Bears OH MY!!!

(OK, so maybe it should read Snakes, Bears, Dogs, Bobcats, Skunks, Weasels, Squirrels, Rabbits, And Pigs instead, but the first title really captures your attention)

By: John P. Casey, Chief of Ranger Operations, Allegheny Highlands Group Master Tracking Instructor, Mountain Tracker’s Association Fitness Enthusiast

Stay on the trail, and you will find the happiness ye seek. "

Iam quite consumed with insects, reptiles (of all stripes and sizes), plants, and mammals. I find all of them fascinating; however, not all share my passion….I know because I see them running in terror every time I pick up a snake to show them… come back it really is harmless…promise…you can trust me…it isn’t eating me….never mind! Working as a Ranger has the benefit of daily exposure to what most people have been programmed to fear. My Grandmother Shamblin for instance (aka Ginsu Granny) believed that the only good snake was one artfully chopped into ½ inch pieces. She was a surgeon with the garden hoe. My sainted mother (her daughter) would not even stick around long enough to prepare them for the transition from this life to snake heaven. I discovered this at age 10 when I brought a green grass snake in the house to show her. Do not know why she kept me after that…she did burn my biscuits for a short while.

I answer a lot of questions regarding the presence of rattlesnakes on the Elk River Trail; these answers are usually prefaced by “They are awesome beautiful aren’t they”? “And they are in great abundance and doing quite well thank you.” This usually does nothing to calm others….maybe I should use a different approach. However; they are there, and the truth is that we do not represent food to them. They have no reason on the planet to chase us or want to bite us. What we represent to them….because they sense us via an infrared component in the pits on their head

(think pit viper)….is an exceptionally large predator. Realistically, if you see them, they will attempt to get away, providing you give them an out. You can encourage them by prodding them with a long stick if you must, but they generally will move anyway. Just do not try to pick them up; that’s pretty much when people are bitten; most people do not know how to handle them correctly. The last time I checked, snakes only have one defensive move….stay away from the head. Copperheads are handled pretty much the same way; which is DON’T!! These guys are much harder to see, and they will attempt to lay as still as possible to prevent the “big ole giant infrared predator” from consuming them. Quite a lot of water snakes are killed by being mistaken for copperheads. There is an enormous difference once you compare them. We only have two venomous snakes in the state; learn to identify them. If you want to watch them, move slowly, and do not crowd them. You may begin to appreciate the beauty of their design. By the way, it is against WV Law to kill either of them on state or public property. There is an exception granted to landowners. Bears, dogs, bobcats, skunks, weasels, squirrels, rabbits, pigs….yes, I have encountered them…. chickens, horses, and even “killer goats”!! ) the latter will only try to eat your clothing and lick you to death). All of this can lead to adventure when on the trail; we just need to respect the protocol. Bears, bobcats, skunks, weasels, coyotes, squirrels, and rabbits are usually seen going in the opposite direction from you. All have potential to hurt you if you try to catch them. Dogs chase bicycles, people, and horses-- it is in their nature to bark and chase. I am acquainted with most of the canines on the trail. All that I have encountered will stop chasing and barking when I stop; then they want me to pet them…it must be for the kibbles I carry for them, and not my charming personality. It works, though, and I highly recommend carrying some and getting to know them. I recognize that there are a few people who are fearful of dogs. I have found that moving slowly and speaking softly to them will do the trick. Do not try to strike them with anything because that is going to make a frightened animal more protective and possibly aggressive. I am not suggesting for an instant that you should not defend yourself, if necessary, it is just that I have found that most are just noisy and not aggressive and will respond to a soft voice. Horses share the trail and are frightened easily by… MOVING BICYCLES, dogs, and strangers: Just stop, pull to one side, and stand still, this keeps them from becoming spooked and throwing the rider. I carry a Kibble for horses too by the way. Back to the pigs!!!! I have been seeing them along the trail from Duck to Frametown. They are domestic stock that have gotten loose. Mostly it is a large sow and about 10-12 piglets; cute but do not try to pick them up. Pigs can be aggressive, but they will move away from you providing you give them some room. I spoke to the owner several times to notify him; he may be leaning towards the barbecue solution. I volunteered to bring the hickory. As a tracker, I have become quite used to the wilderness and the creatures that abide. I spend an extraordinary time outdoors, and I have never had an adverse encounter, providing I follow my own advice about animal and reptile behavior. And yes, I am prone to pick things up and examine them closely, but I do know HOW and WHAT I am handling.