I have a short-barreled Smith 686 on my belt on the property and especially after dark. I'll be perfectly happy if it stays in the holster. If not, I'll be perfectly happy it's there.
“Oh, yeah. That’s a cat. Be armed, be loud,”
Have a can of bear spray on all walks at night. Bear spray does not require a dead on hit.. which but even if you are a bit uncertain a good blast in the general direction will work.
Oh, don’t trust me on that, even polar bears have never attacked anyone who used it It’s effects are completely harmless to mammals. Eye’s sting and the animal/human is having problems breathing. For a half an hour they are not doing anything harmful to you.
My mom used it in FLA on an alligator that showed itself on a trail when walking her dog. It turned around and exited back to the water pronto.
A large spray can can be had for $25.
I keep one in the house within reach to home protection at all times.