shotguns actually aren't all that handy, scattered shot doesn't kill the creatures u need to take the head, break the neck, or do significant damage to the brain, a shot gun (with buck shot) is just going to rip them up a bit and alert all their companions as to where lunch is...
give me a .45 with an extended clip and plenty of hollow point shells... you know what, the hell with fire-arms gimmie a nice quiet reusable Ice Axe, a trench knife, a Hunting bow with bear hunting arrow heads and plenty of shafts, a couple of Kurkri, and a Katana.