travel and rhum

Thankfully, I've never had anything life-threatening happen to me while hiking, but I've always enjoyed hearing other people's scary hiking stories. What have you experienced? Animal attacks? Survival? Strange people? Unknown creatures? UFOs? Something out of this world?

I’m from the western US where there is public land all over. I have never had to think much about avoiding private property when I hike/fish/hunt, but I saw a map of public lands in the US and was blown away by the lack of it in the central and eastern parts of the country. Honestly, it would put me off moving to a place if I had to make a big fuss about getting into nature. So, people who live in such areas, how do you get your fix? Are there any hikers in Iowa?

Thanks for your answers everyone. Come out west when you get a chance. Happy hiking.