I've been backpack hunting for years. A setup that works fantastic for me is a bomberproof Hilleberg Nallo tent. I have used and abused it over the years in Alaska, Colo, and Wyo. It has loads and loads of "usable" space. The reason I say usable is most tents don't have verticle walls. Tents with walls similar to the Nallo are nearly verticle so you have more room for gear plus hunters! The other thing I REALLY like about the Nallo style tent is the giant vestibule. On extended trips it's nice to have the extra room for cooking, drying clothes, and placing most of your gear inside where it is protected. The usable space to weight ratio is super tough to beat! A couple other Hilleberg's that are similar tube style tents are the Anjan and the Nammatj.
The Nallo is also 4 season. That means it's poles and lines are designed for deeper snow and super high wind. I don't believe many guys have caught on to this but it is possible to backpack ultra-light during the early season by using only the fly plus poles and stakes. My Nallo fly and poles used alone is extremely light weight and perfect for early season hunting. I often use painters plastic (weighs a couple oz for a floor). Being a 4 season fly it is literally bomberproof! I've used the fly alone on several trips when it snowed, rained, and the wind howled.....and was comfortable!
It's super nice having the flexibility of going super light weight by using the fly alone during early season and fly plus inner tent plus footprint for late season winter hunting!
You may want to consider a high quality 4 season tent rather than buying an early plus late season tent. There is a lot of flexibility with a Nallo. I bought mine almost new on Craigslist for 1/2 price. They aren't cheap but you can likely find a nearly new one on classified sections of this and other websites, ebay, Craigslist, etc. If you want to buy the best....consider a Hilleberg! Lifetime warrantee says it all!
