I'd tend to agree for most of the US. I've rock collected across Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona with my S&W 586 with me. I haven't been down by the Mexican border in over 5 years and down there its the humans. I had a couple of confrontations and just opening the holster ended the scariest. It has escalated since and I'm not sure what would be effective down there - short of a squad of Marines.

I've run across black bear in the mountains. Their acceleration is unbelievable. Fortunately, it has always been away from me. I'm not so sure of a 357 for them. I've heard something in the bushes towards night that might have been a mountain lion but I think being big helped and the 357 could work there.

I've never been back country up towards Canada in Grizzly country. Up there I think I'd prefer one of those light guide lever action 45/70's.

Steve