Nothing wrong with carrying a side arm at all if its legal. I started carrying my .44 with me after I got charged by a big old sow one night on the way to my stand. Now theres reports of a cougar running around just north of our property, my wifes aunt got a call from an ex inlaw of hers and said they have several trail cam pics of the cougar. Im trying to get ahold of the pics so I can post them, as soon as I do I will post them.