So, on the poop question, I will admit to not always being a poop purist. The purists would always pack it out, canine or human. I say use your own judgement based on where you are and the usage level. I usually do take the biodegradable bags for my dog, who I might even let run off leash. If no bag is available, I might give it a stick flick. As for my own, I've only ever packed it out when on a multiday rock climb. It's an unpleasant chore, and otherwise I usually bury it in topsoil where you ain't ever gonna see it, away from trails & watercourses. I burn the paper if its not too windy...don't wanta be the a-hole that starts a wildfire! Above tree line with no topsoil in a remote area, the smear-to-dry-and-decompose technique is sometimes used. I think you really should use a bag for dog waste in popular areas. That shit ain't necessarily gonna stay buried.

Here are some other not-unbiased viewpoints on plastic bags and dogs in (some) nature preserves.

http://www.poopbags.com/biodegradable-facts/

http://tchester.org/srp/lists/dogs.html

I suppose some people will think I'm taking this shit too seriously.

_________________
Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin

When my dog was stil alive, he had an harness and we would tie the bag to it. He carried his own crap out.

_________________
'the notorious North County Sancho'