I believe I would get a can or 2 of bear spray and keep it handy for bears and bad guys. I would only use potentially lethal means if the repellent failed. Yeah, a can of bear spray in one hand and my .357 mag in the other loaded with the biggest bullet I could handle. I would pactice shooting double action a lot with lighter loads and work my way up to the stompers. Also make sure you know the in and outs of when you can use lethal force to defend yourself both from bears and bad guys. Most farmers I know have some sort of vehicle close by them out on the farm, be it a tractor, truck, or four wheeler. Most of them carry a long gun with them. The pistol is just to allow them to get to their rifle or shotgun. My brother in law farms several thousand acres and his truck gun is a 30-30, his combine gun is a 12 ga pump, and his four wheeler gun is a mini-14. He carries a hi capacity 9mm everywhere. Nobody messes with him.