Bigbulls makes a great point.A .44 Mag is your all purpose hand cannon, and that's what I'dprefer to havein the woods with me.

Personally, I carry my .40S&W in the woods nowbecause that's my CCW pistol. Butafter I put asideenough money to buy a.44 Mag (looking at Rugers) with a 4" barrel, that's what I'll take into the woods with me.

An 18.5" bbl shotgun loaded with buckshot or slugs would do the trick very nicely, but naturally you'll have issues with carry and concealment. You might not have time to drop your firewood and run over to the tent to grab it when that bear comes into camp.