If you're wanting a double duty revolver to hunt deer with and to handle sticky situations like the one you mentioned, I'd go with a double action 44 mag, something like a S&W 629 with a 4" barrel. You can use full power mag loads for hunting and milder 44 special loads for practice and general carry. Check your state regs for barrel length requirements though. If you just want something to carry for backup, not hunting, a good med frame 357 mag will be more than adequate and lighter to carry.