rankbull,
I'm a little more on your side with the handgun. I always carry a .357 mag as an insurance policy, and on my last hog hunt I was glad for it. The arrow didn't exactly hit where it was sent, and after a couple of hours and some tracking, the boar charged me from under a dead fall. In the back of my mind I was ready for it so it almost didn't really surprise me when I dropped him in mid charge, but I'll always wear my pistol when the rules allow it. This hog was one of about 15-20 I’ve taken over the years with no worries. It just goes to show that no two animals are exactly alike, and expect the worst and hope for the best when trailing wounded game.