Is it worth toting a 7 pound .22lr on a backpack hunt?

[mt terry d]

killed one by throwing a rock at it, was tasty that night rolled in pancake flour and fried.

Yes. Grouse and ptarmigan
Always carried a couple of the big rubber blunts when bowhunting.
If you have a poor throwing arm a wrist rocket will do the trick.

 

[BAKPAKR]

I have run into elk in unexpected places so, until my daughter’s elk tag was filled, I wouldn’t consider shooting small game with a 22, even if it were suppressed. That would make the decision as to whether to carry one easy for me.

How about a recurve or longbow with a quiver full of blunts?