Why, do you suppose, was he shooting an armadillo? If your're not going to eat it or save your life or the life of another, why shoot it?

For that matter, how did you get into the situation of having to save your life in the first place? Bears, mountain lions, and most other critters will not attack if they know you're coming (that's why you make a bunch of noise in bear country). I love the solitude and silence of the wild, but not at the expense of my well being or the well being of an animal who lives there.