Well I don't jump by my buddy does and I love to go watch. Anyways I have been searching for the right gun for wilderness protection out west in the rockies. So i have been asking all the gun guys I know and posting on gun forums and that Marlin 1895 Guide Series is what I am everyone said would be the best, so I am picking one up next week. But I only found it in 450 marlin, 45-70, and .444 . I havn't seen it available in .457 . Did you special order it?
The only other option I have seen is getting a 12 gauge and use slugs but shotguns don't break down as easy as that marlin will. But you might think about looking at a Mossberg 500 JIC Cruiser (Just in Case).
http://www.brianneely.com/Misc%20Info/firearms/armory/Cruiser.jpg
It is basically a pump action 12 gauge with only a pistol grip and no stock. Assembled it is 28 inches (only 8 inches longer than the marlin disassembled) but you could jump with that assembled and not have to mess with it when you land. The 12 gauge with high power slugs would be just as effective at 75 yards or less as the marlin. Plus 12 gauge can have so many other uses. You can get like flares and alot of other stuff for them. But then again I don't know if shotguns without stocks are even legal in canada, probably not because they are short and black and evil.
Anyways I don't wanna say that the marlin is a bad choice because thats what I am getting and it will work quite well, but you might wanna look into that shotgun, its about $300 and nice to have either way. I just wanted to shair the research I have been doing on a wilderness gun with you, Hope your trip goes well.
