"I like to hike and stalk the animal."
Welcome to the club. But I can tell you that a rifle with scope, sling and ammo at eight pounds or less is far easier on the body that one of around nine pounds or more. It's amazing how just a couple of pounds affects one's enjoyment.
Hunting in country with a short season and probable long shots of 400 to 500 yards, Ol' Pet was a 9.5 pound, 26" barrelled '06. After a dozen miles, my shoulder renamed me "Stupid".
In country where shots of 200 yards or less was common, my seven-pound .243 carbine was as good as anything else ever made.
Nowadays? A 700 Ti in 7mm08 at fully-dressed weight of 6.5 pounds. I just wish those had been available, back forty years ago.