I couldn't recommend cotton attire for anything outdoors, other than wiping your azz, with a straight face...
"Anything outdoors? I'd have to disagree. Especially if it's something like pheasant hunting or pronghorn hunting on the plains when it's warm and I 'll be out for a half day, not too far from the truck.
"Anything outdoors" is not a survival situation.
As far as which socks to wear "elk hunting," that covers a lot of different situations from bowhunting in early september in a t-shirt to late-season hunts below zero. What I use (including boots) depends 100% on the weather and how much walking and climbing I'll do.
I used to use liners but found I usually don't need them any more. When I do use liners they're Injinji toe socks, they make wool and synthetic. I usually just use smartwools, thin for early seasons and thick for later seasons. Darn Toughs are good too.
