Time of season is always a good question for Maine. Opener until end second week Oct is spectacular foliage and birds are less skittish. You see more foliage than birds on the flushes though. Then a strong storm or wind knocks alot of the foliage down by 3rd week and then see less foliage and...
Cant argue with all your comments. Expensive it is but so is two sets of sitka gear compared to single set of Harkila. Depending on the line of Harkila and Seeland (same company) they can be warm and not for active hunting and designed for that inctive or less active hunting in colder temps...
I have Irish Setter light weights. I would walk barefoot to shed even the 3 pounds total of shoe weight if weather allowed. Sneakers are an option but again weather and terrain dependent. I have had several pairs Danner Pronghorn and liked them as well.
Harkila is superb for jackets and pants. Single solutions that are waterproof and soft so no extra waterproof layer that is also noisy when you move. Surprised it has not caught on in the US. Worth the price including extra for shipping. Seeland also great.
Blaser R8 with Leica optics including scope with adjustable dials and red dot sight in the 2-9 x 42 range and leica range finding binos programmable to then dial into the scope. Caliber I would recommend is 270 WIN since I own it and it is great especailly for the altitude you will be hunting.