Hunted all my life without a sidearm or bear spray. Had a few close calls and picked up a 45acp just for some reassurance. Would have liked a 10mm but settled on the 45acp. I know it's underpowered, but I'm only around black bears and wolves in Idaho.
THat being said, I was checking trailcams alone Friday and walked into a cub coming out of a tree. I had left my pack a couple hundred yrds down the hill. Pistol was on the pack. Bear ran off, I had a couple moments of concern, but they went away. I guess I question why I even carry the thing? A side arm is only a noise maker if the person can't use it effectively under pressure. I'm good with it just making noise and giving a sense of security. Unlikely I will ever need to use it. When we do have meat on the ground, the 20gauge youth model shotgun loaded with buck shot goes in the pack every trip.