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Having just a bit of protection, especially when hiking in dangerous areas, and why would one do that, of national parks is a good thing. 44 Mag. side arm should do the trick!

44mag is to much weight for me to carry, I carry (illegally) a 15 shot .40sw in a fanny pack that will stop most two and four legged critters. (would ten 180gr/1000fps slugs stop a griz???) The sad part is I have to carry it concealed as open carry (quick access) would get me jailed.

I would gladly carry a 12ga pump instead, but liberal park rangers would freak! I have stood talking to these folks with my .40 in my pack wondering what they would say if they knew.

ps, I do have a local ccw, but how it works in state/federal parks, ????

Don't ask,,, don't tell, its worked for me.

I grew up in southwestern Montana and never went into the mountains, and I was in 'em the time, without a rifle (30-06) and a side arm, usually a 22mag. No wolves at that time, but plenty of wild dogs, bears, including grizzlies, and mountain lions.

With the wolf population in Montana, and other western states, as large as it is now, one would be crazy to go into the mountains without a gun. Montana has, at least, opened up wolf hunting. Before that, I told my brother, who still lives there, they should shoot the wolves and let 'em lay. They have been devastating to the elk, deer and moose populations, as well as cattle and sheep.

BTW, I did all of my own reloading, so plinking wasn't a problem, even with the larger calibers.