West Virginia: suggest either a 686+, or 629, in 5". Depending on which area in WV, you're just as likely to run into unsavory characters as you are unsavory critters. 357 w/ at least 140gr JHPs would be suitable to deter mountain lions and/or black bear, plus any any 2 legged critters that could be doing any number of illegal activities. My 686+ typically has snakeshot in the first two cylinders during the summer months.