I bought a pair of the Itasca Scent Free boots last summer . They appear to be okay . The main reason I bought them is there are slots on the top where I can grab them to pull them on . I have arthritis in both hands and it is difficul to put some of the other style boots on my feet .
I had a pair of the Field & Stream boots that lasted me about 3 years .
I think DICKs is having a clearance on some of the LaCrosse boots .
Sorry ..... I made an assumption thinking of the vastness up North and much less farmland than here in Western NY . I have camped at places like Old Forge and have seen deer feeding in yards ( years ago ) so yes I know there are deer there but I don't think there are as many deer as there are in my area .
Well , get ready to haul butt if you do come across one !
Actually , unless a bear thinks you are a danger to her cubs , she probably wouldn't bother you .
I saw some scat that looked like that on my son's property in Italy Valley and thought it might be bear scat . My son didn't seem to think so but he ended up with some bear on his property .
http://www.bear-tracker.com/blackbearscat.html
Unless you are going to reload , don't go with a 25-06 . I have one and the ammo is almost twice the price of a 270 .
Target practice ? Probably a 22 .