Intruder Alert

They can be quite tolerant of your presence in the areas most used by walkers, allowing you to get fairly close before making off at a smart pace. We've noticed over several years that these months when they're shedding the winter coats are often when they are more approachable.

It's a different matter if you find yourself walking in those parts they think of as their own, and not expecting intruders They don't like it at all. They spot you quickly and respond immediately. The alarm is raised with a loud bark, repeated once or twice and echoing through the woods. Suddenly you feel alien and clumsy.