Agree with Red Badger...
If as you said “in time of need” is your goal...Get a good sling...
Educate yourself on African and American style carry, then practice deploying the shotgun to the ready and pointed in at the target from these carry positions...No faster more comfortable way to deploy a slung shotgun...Unless you hike at “port arms”...
The scabbards have a place, and look “tacti-cool”, but slung over the back isn’t the best way to carry and can be awkward to deploy...Lots of ways for the gun to hang up coming out of the scabbard...
Take a look and compare 00Buck and #1Buck...9 .30 cal pellets versus 16 .25 cal pellets...And look at Federal Flite Control ammo...
Then, as Red Badger recommends, carry a few slugs, and practice “select slug” drills for close encounters...Lots of shotgun tutorials on YouTube...
Happy hiking...Remember, predators (both 4 and 2-legged varieties) mostly “eat” liberals...Conservatives go around armed...
Old Guys Luv Shotguns,
I’ve been loving my Mossy 590!
The Bayonet lug will come in handy
For taken Prisoners!