If I'm hunting I carry a rifle or shotgun.
If just out scouting or fishing in area,
I carry based on the expected possible worst case threat.
Which around here is mostly a revolver w/ shot for poisonous snakes
I don't go after them, but if me or someone is bit;
I ain't getting bit twice trying to kill a snake for emergency room ID.
If threat possibly has tusks, teeth and or claws,
I'll carry a light iron sight "bubbized" No.4 Mk1*.
If threat is bigger with tucks, teeth, claws and stomping power,
I'll carry a light iron sight DG stopping rifle.
Yet, in the many years I've carried,
I've only had to use pistol once on a snake and
a the rifle once to clear hogs out of my duck blind.