Dog owner -- definitely pick it up. It's part of the Leave No Trace principals. There's the water pollution problem, but you're also spreading potential pathogens to wild animals, and if someone else goes into the woods to get their dog, perform trail mantainance, trim trees (which the forestry people someimes do), they don't want to step in your dog's poop.

If it's really inaccessible, then, fine, leave it. But generally, make an effort.

And for those worried about the plastic bags -- look into these -- they work fine:
https://www.amazon.com/ATIFBOP-Biodegradable-Thicken-Earth-friendly-Convenient/dp/B096NDLZJZ/ref=asc_df_B096NDLZJZ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=598230044544&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7693932533709273661&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061286&hvtargid=pla-1764025099320&psc=1

Seriously. A dog pooping in the woods a bunch of fiber and other matter from a bowel movement where it will degrade and absorb in a 3 foot radius, as if it's akin to a Tyson's chicken factory farm. Those inconsiderate deer pooping all over the watershed and upsetting the balance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please take your poo bags with you. I just love seeing bagged poo left on trails. And don't tell me you're going to pick it up on your way back. You have no intention.

This is so disgusting! A plastic bag full of poo is worse than a naked pile of poo, which, where I live, will be eaten by slugs in a day.

But I am someone who hops off their horse and kicks her poo into the bushes.

Wait, yours or the horse's?

omg this made me lol. I will admit on here because it’s anonymous that I have 💩 in the woods at Patapsco. I’m not proud of it but I couldn’t help it. The bathrooms were all closed for Covid. It was a very stressful one minute of my life.

It's so ironic that the younger generation has created a reason for more plastic bags.

Sorry, not buying the idea that adding more plastic is the better answer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about all the non pet poop that gets left in the woods..also a environmental problem.

You don't sound very smart.

Deer poop is fine but dog poop is not?

Dog poop has much higher levels of nitrogen which is bad for water runoff.

What’s the effect on the environment after you wrap it in non biodegradable plastic and put it in with the trash?

Less impact on the Chesapeake, that's for sure.

+1 While not ideal, it goes into a landfill and is not left to upset the balance of the ecosystem and find its way into the water system.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about all the non pet poop that gets left in the woods..also a environmental problem.

You don't sound very smart.

Deer poop is fine but dog poop is not?

Dog poop has much higher levels of nitrogen which is bad for water runoff.

What’s the effect on the environment after you wrap it in non biodegradable plastic and put it in with the trash?

Less impact on the Chesapeake, that's for sure.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes you have to. Dog poop is horrific for the ecosystem.

Well this just makes no sense. The inability to conceptualize or appreciate magnitude and degree is one reason why so many people simply tune out environmentalists.

It does, you just don't get it: everyone has to pick up their dog poo. Since we can't control your horrid behavior, it doesn't mean that we have to all shrug and say: "What's the point? Larla doesn't do it, so let's all trash the planet!".

Same for all environmental actions. Just because some industries and individuals are massive polluters, doesn't mean you get moral license to just do whatever.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about all the non pet poop that gets left in the woods..also a environmental problem.

You don't sound very smart.

Deer poop is fine but dog poop is not?

Dog poop has much higher levels of nitrogen which is bad for water runoff.

What’s the effect on the environment after you wrap it in non biodegradable plastic and put it in with the trash?