I generally let the species I'm after dictate the firearm of choice. I'm typically after upland birds; pheasant, grouse, woodcock or ducks. Therefore a shotgun would be the ticket. Being a fan of double guns means an over-under or side by side typically gets the call. In special circumstances for grouse on an extended canoe trip with numerous portages I might decide to bring my Henry A-7 which breakdowns and packs in the stock (also very lightweight). I've never worried about black bear encounters in Northern Ontario but if I was in polar/grizz country my Remington 760 30-06 or a 12 gauge would likely accompany me. I generally don't think you need a ton of follow-up shots for hunting or protection but that's just my humble opinion. Ducks might be the exception as they can require a quick follow up to ensure a humane kill. Hope this helps.