It is not unusual to find a Western resident, with a sidearm in the backcountry. Folks who venture out into the wilds often carry pistols for a variety of reasons, beyond personal protection.

• Stockmen may need to put down an injured bovine or horse, a long way from veterinary care.
• Snake shot loads for a variety of calibers are available if an unwary hiker find themselves unable to back out of reach of an angry buzztail.
• Many big game hunters find it convenient to harvest a fresh grouse, rabbit or quail dinner with a small caliber handgun, rather than a centerfire rifle.
• For the Archer, many times it adds an element of reassurance when in bear country.

What ever the reason, it is important to know what the laws of the state you are hunting say in regards to carrying a handgun, especially during restricted hunting seasons.  The three states I am most familiar with are Idaho, Wyoming and California.  Of the three, California is the most restrictive. 

California
You may carry a handgun while hunting during a firearms season. Your gun can be loaded while you are hunting, and it does not have to be visible.
Phillip from the Hog Blog expressed a good point about ammunition selection in a recent post where he stated:

If you are carrying just in case you jump a big game animal (hog, deer, bear) in the “Condor Zone” (see the maps on the DFG website), you MUST have non-lead ammo in both guns, even if it’s not your primary weapon. Same goes if you’re carrying a centerfire and tags for big game during open season, even if you insist you’re only hunting quail. It all gets a little sketchy here, but read the regs and do your best to meet the technicalities. I think the wardens are still figuring out how best to enforce and interpret some of this stuff, so you’ll want to err on the conservative side.

You may not carry a fire arm of any type during an archery only season. However, if you are bowhunting during the Regular Firearms season, withthe regular season tag (not Archery Only) you may carry a side arm.

(h) Except as provided in subsection 353(g), archers may not possess a firearm while hunting in the field during any archery season, or while hunting during a general season under the provisions of an archery only tag.

Idaho- from Idaho Fish and Games “Ask Fish and Game” press release.

Q. Can I carry a handgun while archery hunting?
A. Yes, it is legal to carry a handgun while archery hunting. But it’s illegal to use any firearm to take an animal or finish off a wounded animal in an archery-only season.

Wyoming

LSO No.:  07LSO-0435              Effective Date:  7/1/2007

Enrolled Act No.:  SEA0074

Chapter No.:      

Prime Sponsor:     Senator Case

Catch Title:       Illegal taking of game with firearms.

Subject:            Use of firearms during archery seasons.

Summary/Major Elements:

·         The act removes the prohibition on persons holding an archery license from carrying a firearm.

·         The act makes it a high misdemeanor to take a big or trophy game animal with a firearm during a special archery season or a limited quota archery only season.

·         The act requires, upon request of a game warden, that any person who has taken a big or trophy game animal during a special archery season or a limited quota archery only season allow testing of the animal’s tissue to determine if the animal was killed with a firearm.

·         The act provides for mandatory suspension of the privilege to purchase any game and fish license for three years following a conviction of taking a big or trophy game animal with a firearm during a special archery season or a limited quota archery only season.