As the AK guys said while hunting your rifle is best. I packed a pistol some but when slogging through muskeg it would slow me down and make my hips hurt. Good for the tent or late night latrine visits but otherwise just a boat anchor. If you do bring it definitely a shoulder holster is the way to go.
A shotgun with slugs and 00 buck is better in the tent or at night. Also much better for Ptarmigan and Snowshoes.
Make sure you don't have a layover in Canada as the pistol will be a pain to clear.
I disagree on the shotgun in the tent. Unless you have an awful big tent... The handguns lay at our head area at night... shotgun would be a 2 handed struggle while getting out of a sleeping bag... nope.
I'm not against em other wise, though if I"m carrying that much weight, its going to be a centerfire rifle with some extra umph behind it and a GOOD bullet...
