Not exactly sure on what are laws are with regards to sidearms. In bowseason i carry my can of bear spray on my hip at all times. Been bowhunting only 2 years and have already used it once. Tracking is a bit of a different story, i am not about to follow a blood trail after dark without a rifle in my hand. If a sow and a few cubs happen to find that animal before you do, and you stubble across them on the kill, a bit of an ugly situation would arise. Depends where the animal is but if there are bears in the area i am packin heat when recovering that critter.