i like the Gregory Denali Pro over the Argon hands down. i've hiked with the REI pack, haven't put much weight in it when I did but it handled 60lbs pretty well. The Gregory pack is heavier, but it's a great pack in my book.
if i go hit the road or trails for a while, and come back and take a warm/hot shower......i'll usually crash after about 10-30minutes after i lay down. i usually push the pace enough that i'm winded by the time i get back to the house.
it would depend on the amount of weight i'm carrying and if i'm far from the truck to carry an animal out. trail shoes aren't made to bear 80-100lbs of gear and deer. i wouldn't go goretex, personally, it really makes my feet sweat.
i'm pretty anti-ATV use for any hunting except hog dogging. Even here at the lease I don't use an ATV to get to my stand or anything. Everything has to be easier now a days. One of the many problems of our society, nobody wants to work for anything anymore.
Am I the only one that thinks 8 miles at 1am isn't ridiculous or maybe it means I possibly need counseling?? You guys ever work out in the middle of the night when you can't sleep?
Optics- Leica HD models all around, rangefinder too
Tripod- Slik
Tents- Kifaru Supertarp w/Annex (small stove), Kifaru Sawtooth w/Med stove, Hilleberg Nallo 4GT, Alaska Tarp and Tent (for a base camp), Bibler Bivy or maybe a BA bivy
Backpacks- Kifaru T1, Kifaru T3, Kifaru KU5200 with some...