I can't speak for all, but my work constantly (95%) of the time finds me in bear and moose country, in northern BC, Canada. When I am out there, I have to work. There are people that have shotguns (Defenders being common) but you can't work with something like that. Have you walked through balsam and spruce and alder brush, carrying over 3ft of shotgun? And with the cruise vest, flagging ribbon, pumpkin boots, hardhat, winter clothes, 4 different measuring tapes (reel, loggers, Dia., measuring) first aid pouch, blanket and fire bag, ear muffs, hatchet.....well you get the point. God forbid you need the chainsaw for the day. A shotgun and its 7 extra pounds isn't worth it. As I said, I need to work. Naturally a handgun would be an option, but even that is trouble finding space for and an extra weighted hassle. Not to mention Canada ridiculous Restricted Law and ATC program. What about the weather, I have to service the gun every 2-3 days because it may get wet and muddy for 6-7 hrs at a time. It is not worth it by principle, or effort, and statistics have it bear spray is the way to go. I have had 3 black bear encounters and 1 brown bear, over 4 years of this sort of work - and only once did I have to gas a black bear a bit too curious. The brown bear even had 2 cubs but was 50m off and ignored me after a moment discerning I was no threat at all. I carry 1 11oz can, 1 7oz can, and 1 5oz dog mace can that I adopted after an encounter with a loggers loose rottweiler. Truth be told moose are the problem, as moose are most unreasonable during rut season. I have been from Fort St John to Williams lake, Smithers to Grand Prairie, and never wished I had a gun at work or needed one. Statistics show I am much safer without one.
Speaking of which, perhaps in decades to come, resource workers will start getting equipped with wildlife tasers. Read some material of Alaska troopers, using wildlife pronged tasers capable of knocking over 1,300lb moose. Don't need to aim for the face like sprays, as you can pass current through a targets feet or appendages as easily as the neck and far less of an irritant to the operator.
ATC legal requirements are a bore size of minimum .357 caliber. Energy thresholds are rated minimum, .357 Mag, so you can't think you are being smart and use something like 9mm/.357sig/.40SW. I am using Wilderness Protection carry permit, not for bank security, or diplomat security, or ATM truck security. You need to prove yourself at the range at multiple distances, in front of grading RCMP officials. The same weapon and cartridges you test with, are the same you are allowed (and only) to take out to the field and have as your defense. Pretty rigorous and consuming process.
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With that all out of the way, 10mm Auto seems very analogous to .357mag. .41mag seems an awful stretch, I agree.....But what about Tritons .40 Super? .40 Super is most certainly no 10mm Auto, and can fit frames like 1911 and Glocks. While not very common, .41mag isn't common either, and the purpose of ATC Wilderness Protection isn't to be common, but to be suitable. I would also wager Dan Wessons unique supermag concept cartridges would also be great choices for Wilderness Protection, and those sure aren't common.
