For your boots question my boots are 200 gram with wool socks and I’m good if I’m moving or sitting for 1-2 hours. I can’t sit all day anywhere.
My pack is a Mystery Ranch but a lot of good packs out there. So long as it’s comfortable you’ll be good.
Don’t worry about how to get the elk out of the hell hole you need to kill it in. Just go in there and figure it out later. Don’t worry, you’ll get it figured out.
