NightHiker,

That's exactly it. Depending on where you're going and what you're doing you have to decide what a necessary course of action might be.

For example, A .375 H&H would be out of place if hiking through Central Park, but not if you're planning on trekking around Kodiak Island.

It comes down to weighing the odds and taking well calculated risks. It's simply impossible to be prepared for everything at all times.