>>2623756>public parksoh, that's probably your issue then.
dunno, we live on a few acres that are adjacent to some BLM wilderness, no roads, no other people etc etc. so when we go out with the mutts, they're off leash. A dog exploring the forest offleash would be a great definition for 'joy', for every mile I hike, the mutts are probably doing 3 or 4. back and forth, following some animal's trail/scent etc. having them on leash would just be cruel.
but if there was even a slight chance of running into a hiker or a car or something, then yeah, leash em up. middle of the wilderness though? yeah, no.