There are many choices that will serve you well. Get what pleases you, and what you will take to the range and shoot for the pure pleasure of it
Here are some really offbeat thoughts that you might consider.....
Not that I get out that much, but my backwoods carry gun is a 41 Mag with a 2 1/2" barrel. It will launch a 170 grain bullet at nearly 1400 FPS. It's light, accurate, dependable and adequate.
I have the Canik 9mm and enjoy it more than my XD9, which I like quite well. It's quite accurate, and, as far as I can tell, dependable. It's also one of the less expensive alternatives, and the trigger is excellent.
The Marlin 357 lever is an absolute blast to shoot. I shoot Cowboy Action 124 grain loads for target practice and 180 grain full throated loads for more serious purposes. So it really fills two different niches.
If I were to meet Old Cross Bear in the woods, my first choice would be the 41 Mag, closely followed by the Marlin 357, followed by the 9mm.