As for having a weapon on you. Yeah, but, are you gonna be able to draw you bow back on a wild dog and shoot it while it is running full tilt at you?
.....in the dark, you' re already very close and YOU CAN' T SEE IT!!!!
I' ve never been stalked by coyotes or chased by bears(not while hunting, but I have a story about a bear that chased me). Everyone that goes into the woods should have some heightend awareness....Mother Nature is cruel and without repentance....a black bear deffending it' s young can be VERY merciless.