Shotgun Advice for Walking and Travelling in the Backcountry

[kivinik]

Long time lurker to the forums but only my second post.

Long story short, I live in the Calgary area and I’m looking for advice on a shotgun suitable for use when traveling by foot in the backcountry.

About 20 years ago, I lived up in Nunavut and worked often out in the field.
Due to us working in in polar bear territory, the policy was when ever anyone went out at least one person in the group carried a shotgun. The ones used had an 18” barrel length. The first 2 shells were bear bangers, the next 2 were rubber slugs, and the last 2 were metal slugs.

Now I’m looking to go up there again this summer where I have to extensively walk around each day out in the field. I would like to purchase a shotgun but don’t know what makes, models and bang for the buck price point I should be looking for.

I won’t be using the gun often, but when I do have to use it, I need it to be reliable for obvious reasons. I would be carrying a backpack he same time I would be carrying the gun. I would not be packing the shotgun away into the backpack while I’m moving around and working each day, but carrying it by hand or some sort of harness.

I have my PAL and know all the requirements for storing and transporting guns.

Any advice on what I should be looking for in a shotgun and any good no BS shops I could deal with in Calgary or immediate area?