I have never owned an FAL tho I do have an FN bayonet.
I have always wanted one but somehow never bought one. I do love the look and feel. I have on the other hand owned a bunch of HK-91s. I would feel completely safe with one in bear country.
As for weight. When I was young it never bothered me but as I got older I got to where I would carry a very light Remington Nylon 66. In case I ran into a deer I also had a holstered 4 inch model 29. I eventually got to where I carried a .22 auto pistol. (one of the Ruger, Hi-Standard, Woodsman etc. type), and a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt with hot loads.
For the last few years, all I carry is a Walther PP in .22 or a Hungarian copy which is just as accurate. That is all I have. I would not shoot a deer even if he stood right in front of me. Just too much trouble to dress out.
I don't really like field dressing deer either, but I have it down to a pretty quick procedure (dental floss, a folding 3" Buck and a plastic garbage bag . . . ) But once it's field dressed I have 2-3 friends who would help me butcher it for a small percentage . . .
She is right.
The FN/FAL is a heavy beastie.