Here in the Northeast you don't have to go far to find thick woods. I hunted with leverguns, in particular Marlins in just about every configuration and caliber they made. They worked well and then started shooting and hunting with lighter weight bolt actions, especially in a carbine version and have never looked back. Good balance with a little weight forward that fits you well. As for cartridge, I use to believe in the bigger is better and the learned a a good bullet from .243-.308 in the right place takes them down just as quick. Favorite being a 7mm-08. For speed on follow up shots, its amazing how fast you can work a bolt action when adrenaline is pumping and deer are running
