Only 1 comment. You will sweat when you elk hunt - no way around it if you're going to move up/down the mountain. The better clothing systems are amazing at how they handle perspiration. Same with good boots. Thay are designed to move sweat away from your body/feet.
Look up John Barklow rewarming drill. He basically jumps into a creek/lake in winter fully clothed. He then starts moving and let's his body heat dry his clothes out. It doesnt take long. I've not done that but have had sweat running down my back while hiking in. I put on a puffy designed to move sweat and shazam, was dry within 30 mins. And warm. Cotton anything is not your friend in the mountains. Synthetic, merino, or a blend is the way to go next to skin. A quality puffy is another must have.
The other thing is the lack of humidity out west in most areas. Things in the west dry way faster on their own than in the east.
