Good fer you. I' m tryin' to get back into shape with my bike rides an' hikin' . Ain' t got there yet. Harder every summer, it seems. I also live in griz country. I pack a .44 durin' the summer but find it too cumbersome in the fall. I can see how you could leave a rife too far outta reach to do any good. I used to carry a 45-70, but after runnin' into a griz while answerin' natures call one mornin' with my carbine back at the tent, I decided a .44 might be a good idear. Some fellers I know were attacked las' season while headin' back to get their elk quarters. They kilt the griz with a rifle. I' d surely hate to use a .44, don' t seem like much gun for the job. But I reckin' its better than nuthin' .