Beaver Jack,
The reason I carry a 44 with me is cause,a while back a freind of mine was attacked from behind by a sow grizzly, he was walking to a saddle in the dark when she hit him and smacked his rifle clear.He always carried a side arm and was able to fire three shots into her chest and escape with minor injuries(240 stiches to his back and buttocks).I now carry a side arm when I' m hunting,and also it is a good way to get some camp meat with the shot shell ammo(grouse and snowshoes).Yes I do try to stay im the best shape I can,I walk all week long and do nature hikes with the kidds and wife on the weekend. It all helps come hunting season.

Good fer you. I' m tryin' to get back into shape with my bike rides an' hikin' . Ain' t got there yet. Harder every summer, it seems. I also live in griz country. I pack a .44 durin' the summer but find it too cumbersome in the fall. I can see how you could leave a rife too far outta reach to do any good. I used to carry a 45-70, but after runnin' into a griz while answerin' natures call one mornin' with my carbine back at the tent, I decided a .44 might be a good idear. Some fellers I know were attacked las' season while headin' back to get their elk quarters. They kilt the griz with a rifle. I' d surely hate to use a .44, don' t seem like much gun for the job. But I reckin' its better than nuthin' .

No it' s not,but I always figured if you waited till the last posible moment or apllied ie. direct pressure to the target it would be more than enough.I hope[],as for packing it I carry it so much you almost feel naked without it. I carry it on my left hip in a reversed holster were I can draw with either hand.By the way BJ do you ice fish,a great way to keep you legs in shape is to pull your ice house around with them.

I took hunter saftey a couple years ago again with my kid. The best tip I got out of it was to carry a flare. I' ve tried it and you can start a fire no matter how snowey or wet the wood is. Don' t weigh much and easy to light.