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[stixman]

Are you ever concerned about "critters" while out hiking?

You never know who is out there with you.

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[Redbeard]

I get asked this question all the time.   

I've never carried anything other than a pocket knife.  There has only been a couple occasions in my 20+ yrs of hiking KY when I thought I should have had a gun.  Coming across lone hunters can be unsettling.

I am a bit more wary than I used to because so much of Daniel Boone lies in extremely poor counties ridden with meth and Rx abuse. 

The worse crime I've ever encountered while backpacking Kentucky was having my car broken into car at RRG.  Nothing of value stolen, but the smashed windows sucked.

[genes]

Never, not once in over 44 years of hiking, camping and backpacking. 

[Bazinga]

Never met anyone who wasn't friendly on the trails.  Honestly, I'm more worried about wild dogs.

[Tula1953r]

That picture is a bit creepy. I usually do carry,but have always been more concerned with "two legged" critters,as a mostly solo backpacker.After many years in the Gorge,I have never met anyone that made me glad that I did have a firearm or even felt threatened. I am more of a be prepared kind of guy,I guess.
I guess its also important to note that I do not open carry, and I am the kind of guy that people would never guess that I am armed. I feel that if I did open carry that it may weird people out,and I am not out to ruin anyones wilderness experience.

[CheeseyDean]

99% of the time on the trail you won't need a gun. But what if that 1% ever happens? You come across a bear, or rabid coyote, or you're hiking offtrail and you run into a meth lab complete with occupants. That 1% is why everyone should carry a gun.

[KyDan]

Never, not once in over 44 years of hiking, camping and backpacking.

I did carry once.  Wife had just read about a fatal bear attack in Smoky Mtn National Park.
I knew I was breaking the law by carrying.
The gun got heavy, I got nervous about having it and didn't do it again.

BTW- if you actually shoot a bear in the park you are in deep do do.
The bear had better actually be chewing off your leg when you shoot it or you are going to jail.
Even then the rangers will probably accuse you of antagonizing the bear.

One time we were hiking in a state forest in Tenn and heard dogs barking way off.
For a moment I wondered what we'd do if they got closer.  I wished for a gun
then for about 5 minutes.

[kymyers]

Hoping that pic was staged!  Walking past an armed hunter who saw you coming and did not reveal themselves and point their weapon in a safe direction (with finger removed from the trigger), would make for a VERY tense few minutes.

As to carrying a weapon.  I always carry when hiking.  Can't agree enough with CheeseyDean...99% of the time you won't even think you might need a gun, but the isolation of the back country makes chancing the 1% too risky.  But I stress, if you make the decision to carry a weapon 1.)  Become familiar and comfortable with it  2.) Properly license yourself so you are legal  3.) React SUPER conservatively so you don't use and later regret the choice.  (Part of this involves leaving alcohol at home)

[KeyserSoze]

I think that pepper spray is a viable alternative to a gun.  It's lightweight and easy to use.  I mainly I carry it for bears and dogs, but I wouldn't be afraid to use it on a person either.

[MikeGibson]

Most of the time I carry while hiking. When I am camping, all the time. Its legal and its safer so why not?

[backpacker379]

I often carry simply because of protection. Also people will hear a .380 go off well before they hear a whistle.