Do you carry a side arm while elk hunting/regular hunting?

[Glacier Country]

I also carry a pistol. Lots of bears here. Grizzlies eat bowhunters here almost every year, so I have been packing one for years. My scariest incident was with a black bear sow with cubs. There are certain areas here that have a reputation for bad bears and we have had several encounters with Mountain Lions in the past.

 

[bnsafe]

springfield xdm 45. more for the two legged variety and 10 rounds to make noise with and one for me. dont think they would be effective against bears, cougars, or moose.