Legend has it that Davey Crockett killed a bear with a knife near Mason Hall, TN. I grew up with those tales, but bears and big cats scare me. I can deal with alligators, since I am more familiar with them. The Cold Steel Bowie machete and the Condor Jungle bowie or Combat Machete. might work for you. Or if you feel like spending a lot, the Busse Argonne. I carry the DFLE with me down in the swamps. I like having a big knife, too.