I carried A 357 for A couple years when Fishing the upper Tolt and repelling into A couple spots on the South fork Snoq. Then the bear population went nuts. Weyerhauser was feeding 250 pairs up there to keep them from peeling the trees. I had one not so close encounter and several sightings so now when I am on the Snog. I carry A Ruger 480. Weyer. sold that area. We lost 5 great lakes and the upper Tolt river in that deal.two years later I am still in mourning.