When I worked on Santa Rosa Island (Channel islands National Park) we had to deal with wild hogs. On just one occasion, I and the two young ladies I was with were charged without provocation. Had I been carrying, I would probably have drawn and fired. As it was, a well placed boot right on his snout discouraged Mr. Hog and he departed for greener pastures. The whole episode did impress the future Mrs. Old Ranger.

In terms of actual fatalities, I understand bees kill more people than any other critter. What would be the appropriate caliber for them? - the .218 Bee?

I am always distressed by discussions of what firearms to carry to handle bear and mountain attacks. The weight and money devoted to firearms would be more rationally applied in any number of more useful ways.