I always carry when in the wilderness, mostly concerned with animals of the 2-legged variety. Almost always I will carry my Stainless Ruger Security-Six .357 Mag revolver in a shoulder holster. In 1984 I had to use it once while camping with my girlfriend in Dolly Sods West Virginia. At 4am a cougar decided to pay us a visit on a bright moonlit night. With my head 
sticking out of the tent watching it snarl standing just 25 feet away, it charged. I immediately shot off one round in the ground just to the right of it. Like one of those cartoons I saw as a kid this cat did a 180º u-turn in mid-air. Unfortunately, I got a mild powder burn on my right cheek and neck from the awkward firing position, but I did not have to hurt the cat, for which I am grateful 
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You never know what might come your way and it is smart to take your protection seriously, especially where there is no one else around that can protect you. I recommend .
sticking out of the tent watching it snarl standing just 25 feet away, it charged. I immediately shot off one round in the ground just to the right of it. Like one of those cartoons I saw as a kid this cat did a 180º u-turn in mid-air. Unfortunately, I got a mild powder burn on my right cheek and neck from the awkward firing position, but I did not have to hurt the cat, for which I am grateful .You never know what might come your way and it is smart to take your protection seriously, especially where there is no one else around that can protect you. I recommend .