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Dr. Rob, Art, Long Path---
Double--make that, TRIPLE-- roger on the boots thing. Considering the expense of the trip, the hunt, licenses, and so on, a decent pair of boots, proper socks and polypropylene underwear are DIRT CHEAP!
Lack of preparation can turn a truly beautiful hunting experience into a survival exercise, and I, for one, am getting too durned old for that kind of thing.
Speaking of the hunting experience--When I returned to work after a Colorado elk hunt, I was asked by several people, "Did you have any success?" My standard reply became, "Oh, si, amigo--Very successful--Saw a lot of beautiful country, met some really nice folks, safe travel. I didn't happen to fire a shot the whole week, but it was quite successful."
Some of those asking are not hunters and aren't aware that it's not all about killing something. I think it was Ortega y Gassett who said, "One does not hunt in order to kill. One sometimes kills in order to have hunted." Words to that effect.
A true pleasure to share the forum with people who understand that concept.
Re: rifles--
You've all said it well. I toted a .338 WinMag on two elk hunts and was confident. Didn't get to use it. When I fell on the rifle and was unsure of the scope, I hauled out the old 'aught-six backup and finished the hunt with it. Strangely, I didn't feel a bit undergunned. I merely adjusted my expectations and tactics and think that, had the opportunity arisen, it would have served perfectly well.
Best to all--
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---The Second Amendment ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights---
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