Complete noob to hiking and trails in the US of A having moved here with my VA born and bred wife. Neither of us are gun toting, and therefore have no experience of when you need a gun or not.
In the UK and Europe the most dangerous thing is traffic, and you can wilderness hike anywhere without fear of being eaten or mauled.
We will be in WV and plan some day hikes in Dolly Sods and other areas, and so the question is:
Should we carry a gun for protection against bears and other predators? I have read only a rifle is effective anyway, and then you'd be lucky to get off two rounds. It seems also in WV that a rifle would have to be cased and unloaded, which sort of defeats the object if a bear is bearing down on us (pun intended).
Any firearms would be bought and licensed in Virginia in respect of reciprocal licensing laws.
Thanks for any serious and constructive advice.