I don't have any desire to carry one but that would be the only time I would want one (retired military here, very comfortable with them just prefer not to). For the longest I just had to make sure I could outrun someone else which would usually be my kids. Now I'd be screwed as 2 yrs ago my youngest shoulder checked me into a hedge running from a downed bottle rocket.

open carry of your wife and kids should ameliorate most peoples anxiety, I would think. Unless they are openly carrying as well.

but they should hike to a specialist

it is a risk - and I am careful

people who like guns like guns - a real hiker would think the weight a stupid choice

twice I have been out on the edge - it is more frighting than most stuff

once close to / or hypodermic - saved by fellow hikers

about the water.

Hypothermia - I find many people who visit the area are from the coast - and the ocean's effect on tempering the day's weather.

Here is can be sunny and sweaty by day - and freezing by night.

I have purchased LLBean fleeces in bright colors for everyone in the family (including the K9s)

a dog wearing "bear-bells", a pocket siren alarm to scare off the occasional coyote or cougar, and a pocket knife--usually hiking with others, but not always. To my knowledge none of us has ever carried a gun on these trips or anything more lethal than a small axe with blade guard securely in place. Accidents happen. While I can appreciate guns have their place, I have seen many the "sure-footed" hiker take a tumble and I'd surely prefer not to suffer the consequences of their poorly secured gun if that happens.

generally speaking, it wouldn't annoy me nearly as much as if you or anyone with you were smoking a cigarette. (If you are doing both I will just get away from you as fast as I can, preferably in the upwind direction.)

Not a fan of guns and don't see why anyone would carry one in most places, especially places frequented by other people. Back country would be a different story. If I'm traipsing around an area where I'm not really expecting to see other humans, and do happen to come across one and that one is armed, I'm more likely to just be jealous and wonder if I should pack that next time instead of bear spray.

I live in a very rural yet completely saturated by humans from April to October location... most of the land in this area is comprised of public lands of every type, and we have bears - both kinds. I have worked for a couple federal public land management agencies, not LE but still responsible for protecting the resources and the public. I have encountered several open carry enthusiasts in my service and the majority of them were less than appropriately informed about the laws regarding their weapons and the use of such... and would proceed to explain to me why they had the right to carry that weapon and that they would use it in a pinch regardless of what the law said if an animal or human scared them in the back country.

So I would ask first, what is your intent in carrying a firearm while hiking on a public property? Is it really necessary? What benefit would having this weapon with you be if you are not hunting? Are you aware of the benefits of carrying pepper/bear spray? Do you think carrying a lethal defense tool over a nonlethal defense tool is best for anyone involved should you feel the need to defend yourself?

But that's just me wondering why it is necessary to carry a weapon when not hunting when there are better tools available that don't involve blood and the spilling of it.

And I wouldn't particularly worry about what others think. You'll get a range of responses from something like mine to you are a coward and idiot for even owning a gun.

local sheriffs of the region...literally requested licensed civilians to be armed?

And a few sheriffs there encouraged citizens to carry.

... I'm thinking that you might be in upstate New York. If so, I advise against open carry, as it is illegal except when hunting.

The Safepacker is a convenient way to carry concealed while hiking.

http://www.thewilderness.com/safepacker-concealment-holster/

as a predator (on his or her own turf) may not be so considerate as to allow a second or two to elapse while transitioning from concealed to open. Most situations where I am on longish treks in the woods, I am hunting. That is sufficient armament for me, as the only 4-legged threat are some surly feral hogs who sometimes size me up before trotting off.

In many areas they are wrecking havoc on the natural wildlife.

... but I don't think killing us all is the answer. But maybe I'm biased.

Don't take it personally, but I don't want to be around people with weapons.

No other weapons unless you hunt with them. Make sure you have a valid local hunting permit.

If avoiding a fuss is really a concern for you. Can't do much about the branches other than stoop lower or carry the barrel down.

I used to routinely carry a carbine in a wilderness area. Area was thick with black bears. On one occasion, I ran into a group of about 20 kids and a few adults. We were a few miles into some Arizona mountains (very dry and hot) and one of the adults questions why I have the need for a rifle in the wilderness. Before we can even discuss it, another adult comes up to him and tells him that some of the kids brought no water at all on the hike. Our 'discussion' ended before it started as I just shook my head at him and walked away.

I have hiked/backpacked in well traveled and remote regions of the US for many years. If you feel you need to carry for your safety then do so. You sound as if you have some training/knowledge and have made this decision for your family's welfare.

Those who disparage or criticize you are acting out of fear/ignorance. Let the sheeple do as they will. You are taking care of your own and I commend you for that.

I think that a well disciplined solid citizen Open Caring in a reasonable situation is a good example, and can help teach that OC is not only for extremists and crazies. So many of the largest cities have such draconian anti-gun laws that everyone with a gun is now considered a villain instead of just a citizen.

I grew up around guns and hunting. Guns were just tools, not any big deal. I was taught and knew from the youngest age that they were serious, potentially deadly, and had to be treated with respect. I have several kinds of hammers for different situations and jobs, and I have several kinds of guns, for different types of hunting or target shooting. Again, not any really big deal.

A handful of really bad people, the true villains have mis-used guns, and the reaction is to vilify the guns, and every one of the tens of millions of reasonable gun owners.

Maybe good examples of regular citizens OC in a reasonable situation like hiking in the woods would reduce the unreasonable fear in this situation. Yep, a liberal with a gun....

If someone is freaked out by the sight of a gun in the woods, they need to go back to their concrete jungle. I hike by a lot of hunters in the spring/fall in state parks. The hunters use the same trails to get back to their vehicles.

By the time we've portaged the first 3 or 4 lakes, we're in wilderness country that may only see a handful of people all year.

The Black Bears are far too accustomed to people/campers as a source of easy food out of the pack sacks, no matter how you pack it.

I'd prefer not to meet any on a portage with a Duluth pack on my back, a 70 pound canoe on my shoulders and a gun buried in one or the other packs. Used to carry a 30-30 as a "Just in Case" solution, now I have a S&W 29 with a 6 inch barrel and "penetrator" lead rounds.

Just for plinking and practice, we throw a Browning Buck mark in a pack too.

The problem you will have is in how to carry the gun. Any leg or hip holster is going to eventually be a major discomfort.

The most comfortable and easily accessible option is often to attach the holster to the packs shoulder strap for a cross-draw action. However, this will depend on the type of pack being used. Day hike vs backpacking.

If this thread eventually gets shut down, bring it over to the Outdoor Life group.

And I open carry when I do.
Generally a SAA in 45 caliber with a M92 rifle in the same cartridge. I am on horseback when I do this and carryusing a traditional belt holster, the rifle under my knee in a fleece lined scabbord. It is a time I enjoy.