Thoughts:
-Bummer you didn't get one.
-Thats a lot of gear to be humping around!
-Hiking in mud like that is BRUTAL.
-Like I've said before, I'm not a hunter myself, but have been on hunts and enjoy the spoils of friends. I've been on terrain like that (obviously not that intense hiking, but I've seen it), and it scares me. Wide open mixed with patches of extremely tight trees and brush. Makes me feel like every bit small patch of pines has a bear in it and theres no where to run for cover or protection. Elk can be super dangerous in those close situations too.