I told my brother who farms the place about it and he goes "oh I forgot to tell you the hired men saw mountain lion tracks there last week, I was supposed to tell you to bring a gun just in case". Thanks a lot! I think that it was a mountain lion and he had turkey for breakfast. I cannot legally take a gun while bowhunting here, but wish I could. Speaking of which if it is illegal but in your own best interest, would you bring a pistol??
Last year in camp some guys asked where I was hunting and I told them and they said that two weeks before someone had a bad incounter with a bear there. There have been more and more bear / mountain lion sightings where I hunt. I can only imagine having a bad incounter and having the thought of "I wish I had my gun" running through my head the whole time; that would suck. I think I might be packing the .45 this year. I have a CCW, I'll conseal the weapon and only use it in an emergency. I know its technically illegal, but it will be worth it if the worst would happen to occur.