imported post
Much to the disapproval of those around me, I carry my .44 mag Super Blackhawk with me when I hunt deer, small game, whatever. I do it not to exercise my rights (not primarily anyway) but logistically with all of the bear and wolves around where I hunt it's necessary.
I know my statement about there being wolves and bear where the DNR state they aren't is probably wrong since they have such a great handle on things, but considering I walked up on 2 bear while making my way to my stand early one morning and saw the wolves one afternoon underneath my stand, well, I think since I have 20/14 vision and have watched enough Sesame Street to know the difference between wolves and dead fall, I saw wolves near Birnamwood.
Ok, rant over.
When small game hunting I will carry a sidearm as well, although it isn't usually the big boy unless I am up in an area where I need it. Sometimes when clearing coon out from around the corn cribs with my shotgun I will bring what I believe I need, plus a little more. It never hurts to have something smaller that makes those close shots easier to get off in certain confined conditions.