Here in the east and especially the Deep Southeast the most dangerous thing, other than talking monkeys, is feral dogs. In Georgia people, especially college students, would dump unwanted dogs. We rescued a couple of starving dogs and kept them. Most die, even the big tough ones, and the ones left join a pack. I ran across several in my hunting, roaming and always retreated as judiciously as possible. A couple of retirees were killed by a pack not far from where we lived. The SO turned out in full and they did kill all the pack. That's one thing that makes them so dangerous; the whole gang attacks and one's only hope is to kill every last one. They ignore their falling companions and persist in attacking. Taking on a pack with a sixgun is suicide. You don't know how many you'll have to deal with. I never worried about bears, snakes, hogs or any of the usual suspects; the true danger always came by way of hominids and canines.
With that being said, my usual arm out-of-doors is usually a .22LR such as the Ruger MKI or a .38spl S&W. If I even suspect I'll need more power, it's my OM Ruger BH in .45 Colt with my powerful handload. I stay away from the dogs and exercise much care. A sixshooter is fine for any dangerous talking monkey.