I like the Ruger model 44 carbine with a 2x7 scope and sling to carry in to a bay. I don't always carry a rifle but I always carry a pistol. The revolvers are too heavy (a light one has too much recoil to shoot), and hard to find tritium fiber optics for them. If you shoot a mountable buck in the head, the hunter will be a little miffed tho sometimes it is the only shot you will have. H., I vowed last year to only let a hunter carry a weapon if I have all the ammo. I will pass it out when my dog is back by my side. She will tell me if the deer is on the ground alive or standing and I can call her out with hand signals (the deer will break bay if he hears you call the dog or smells or sees you) and then give the hunter a bullet or arrow. If it is not a "book" deer then I will dispatch it myself. If it is going in the record book then the hunter has to dispatch it with the same weapon that he/she originally shot it with.