First, I appreciate your time in considering this matter.  Each citizen is ultimately responsible for his or her own protection.   This means at home, work, on the street, or in the woods.  With the prevailence of animals which are sick and may do harm to a hiker, a firearm can be a tool to protect oneself from trauma of an animal bite, and the subsequent medical procedures needed to repair the damage.  I don't believe that we should stay out of the forest because of unpredictable animals, but do believe that we should be enabled to have the tools to protect ourselves should we encounter one.  The vast majority of animals see you coming, and run the other way, but the one that doesn't because its rabid will cause problems. 

Thank You,

Darian Stultz