Maybe "snuggling down" with a loaded and ready auto, in 'Nam for two tours every night, led me to feel as comfy with, or, without a firearm along when camping, I don't know. But, I do carry, when out fishing.
One, I fish a lot in two places that are rattlesnake hangouts and yes, I've shot four over the years. I also fish and camp a lot in the upper Idaho Panhandle and Western Montana. Unfortunately, both of these areas are large hotbeds for people even crazier and weirder than Bishop and I are, which is hard to believe, and also is prime panther, wolf, bear and sorry to say, "Stone_Fly"..............even packs of "WILD DOGS"!! ha! But, it's true.
North Idaho has been a huge haven for Pot Farms, for many years and those that "grow" have always kept large, extremely aggressive, watch dogs on their growing patches. And as to be expected, also, over the years many of these "guard dogs" have gotten loose, bred and now pose a very serious problem of "feral wild dog packs" all throughout the upper ends; from Sandpoint to Bonner's Ferry.
I have used my sidearm to scare away everything from oddballs to a few wild dogs and even an overly lovelorn bull elk one time. But, as for bears.....................as long as I can still outrun Bishop, I figure I'm pretty safe!