Leashes didn’t exist in Bozeman until the early 2000’s when people needed to feel “safe”. If you take your dog in public then it’s an opportunity for the dogs to socialize as well. Dogs on leashes tend to freak out easier, but we also now have the issue of people taking more aggressive breeds with less training on the trails. Growing up in the mountains has its caveats — everyone from the city will move out with their pit bulls and try to put a leash on every damn thing out there, including anyone around them. This will probably get downvoted given the demographic on this forum, but I personally think it’s a pain in the ass to leash up a dog. Bring your dog, without a leash if it’s friendly. If it freaks out with other dogs or is poorly trained — then pray tell why you bring it on a hiking trail at all? Even with a leash they’re going to be within a foot over every passing dog and human.