For personal protection while out enjoying the beautiful wild places, but not necessarily hunting, I like to carry a short barreled 12 gauge pump shotgun with iron sights and 8 shot clip magazine, plus 1 up the spout. The 1st & 2nd rounds are usually 9 to 12 pellet buckshot loads to keep whatever the threat might be off me when milliseconds count and true aim is not possible. Then once the attack is thrown off stride from the instinctive fire of the first 1 or 2 shots, the next round chambering up is a slug, and then rapidly more slugs till the matter is decided..! An extra couple similiarly loaded 8 shot clips in open jacket side pockets completes my ammo requirements, plus a 'NEW' full size animal spray of the most potent form available on my waist belt alongside my Marine Corp knife. I also always carry a small back pack survival kit with the essentials required to sustain me for at least a couple days or more if unfortunate fate intervens, bad weather strikes, etc. Expect the unexpected always, and if and when a predator launches one of those 'bolt of lightning' attacks upon you, REMEMBER...neither side takes no prisoners...!! So, set out properly outfitted to be the top of the food chain if challenged, and enjoy the great outdoors.

Snakes are about the only thing to worry about around here so I usually head out with a .22. But then I see a pig every now and then, not too much of a threat like bears or wolves, but now you see more guys at the lease leaving the .22 and carrying a .357 or .44. I have a .44 S&W BTW.

I generally carry one of two handguns.

For hiking I usually carry my stainless 1911 with Crimson Trace Lasergrips. I keep it loaded with Federal 230 gr. Hydroshok Tactical +P's.

When I am hunting, I go more compact, and take out my Ruger SP101 in .357 Magnum, which is also equipped with Crimson Trace Laser grips. I usually keep it fed with standard 158 gr. Jacketed Soft Points.

For a carbine, I love my Marline 1895 Guide Gun in .45-70 loaded with 325 gr. Hornady Lever-Evolution shells. Just put on a Ghost Ring aperture iron sites.

I carry my 30-06 in my tractor and a .243 in my truck

Same as Sourdough Dave for same reasons.

12 ga slugs or 00 buck

Depending on the season, somewhere between a Charter Arms .44 special, a T/C Contender in .45/.410, or a Ruger Super Black Hawk.

During hunting season I'm always armed with what's legal that day. Off-season in my area it's the two-legged varmints that could be a problem when hiking and fishing. That's when I carry a .38 snubnose.