Fella's;
I'm in Montana & regularly hunt elk. It is known to have a bear decide that the shot that kills the elk is really the dinner bell. In other words, he'll dispute the ownership of the carcass with you. This is not a frequent event, but has been known to happen. Your rifle leaning against a tree 5 yards away is perfectly useless when you're up to your elbows in elk guts & you get your visitor.
A good sized caliber pistol on the opposite hip from the side you carry your rifle, in a cross-draw holster can be handy, as it were. Also a good idea to have grips on it that won't slip in your hand when the hand is bloody. Then too, practice with it enough that you can manage the recoil & get a quick & at least somewhat aimed second shot off. Missing with a panicked first shot & having the gun pointed at some poor innocent communications satellite is counter-productive.
900F