I always carry either a Ruger SuperBlackhawk 44, Ruger .45 or a bond arms 410/45 long colt (sort of the cat on your back type pistol!) when I'm hunting.
As far as using it, I actually prefer the handguns on close shots just because of the adrenelin rush of eye to eye! although my closest shot was about 1 ft with a 20 gauge bolt
I also like deer/elk hunting with the 44 along in a chest holster, but no luck yet, I have not got close enough. The 45 P97 DC has a couple yotes.