This past weekend I was by myself 2 miles from the nearest road looking for muleys and elk. I ran into a black bear at about 75 yds. Once I saw him I just stood my ground and after a short standoff he wondered off in the opposite direction. This has happened twice already this year and I ran into a mountain lion once.

Do you guys feel the need to carry a self defense weapon in non-grizzly country?

I never have and never really worried about it. But with the increasing population of cats and bears I'm starting to wonder if I should.

If you do carry a weapon what to you carry if grizzly is not on the plate? I have a 9mm and have been thinking about carrying that but not sure if its enough as I've never hunted blackies or cats at all.