I've always found carrying to be annoying. Even the little snub .38's or mini-Glocks are heavy and annoying. I find it real tough to carry when wearing waders.

If anything, I might put the .38 S&W +p (glazers, hyroshocks, and a couple of Corbons for kicks and giggles) in my backpack. Doesn't happen often as I almost never feel the need to carry.

I was truly worried about a cougar or bear, I'd bring along my "Social Shotgun", loaded up with 00 buck and sabo slugs. Pistols are not gonna do crap to a cougar or bear.