Tounge in cheek rules of a "Gunfight", but a lot can be applied to hunting, especially Dangerous Game...
I've seen a lot of posts so far where people say they don't carry a sidearm. It's a personal choice, and rules/regulations come into play. I don't care what caliber/make/model is your preference. But, you only get one chance if things go wrong. Complacency kills.
"Gunfight"
Preferably, have at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns. If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun... and a friend with a long gun.
Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap; life is expensive. "Why did you shoot only once? There's no additional paperwork for shooting someone twice!"
Bring ammo. The right ammo. Lots of it. Only hits count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.
If your shooting stance is good, you're probably not moving fast enough or using cover correctly.
Proximity negates skill. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.)
In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance or tactics. They will only remember who lived.
If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading and running.
Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting standards will be more dependent on "pucker factor" than the inherent accuracy of the gun.
Use a gun that works every time. "All skill is in vain when an Angel pisses in the flintlock of your musket."
Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.
Always cheat, always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose. "If you find yourself prepared for a fair fight, you didn't prepare properly."
The purpose of fighting is to win.
There is no possible victory in defense.
The sword is more important than the shield and skill is more important than either.
The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental.
Have a plan. Have a back-up plan, because the first one won't work.
Use cover or concealment as much as possible. Know the difference between them.
Flank your adversary when possible. Protect your own flank.
Don't drop your guard.
Always perform a tactical reload and then threat scan 360 degrees.
Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them.)
Decide to be aggressive enough, quickly enough.
The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.
Be polite. Be professional. But... have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
Be courteous to everyone; friendly to no one.
Your number one option for personal security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.
Carry the same gun in the same place all the time.
Getting shot does not mean that you are out of the fight.
