ddeblance, how does the 4x8x8 work? is it 4' on the front and 8' in the rear with an 8' roof? That would be interesting to see.

Watch your tripod height. I brought a 10' & a 14' and the 14' is really too tall for the area I was looking to place it. The 10' and below will beeasier to "hide" in various stand locations.Not that we don't have tree's over 14', they just weren't always where I was wishing them to be.

My ground blinds are the cheaper portables (~$100 shipped). If the mice chew on them while they are upI won't shed any tears.

I'd go with a mobile 10' tripod at first. The one I have collapses and is easily moved. If the wind is wrongI can snag it up and walk over to a right wind .

Turkeys- some of the ranches around Rocksprings are loaded with turkeys. Corn buzzards are what they are sometimes referred to as. They'll clean out a morning throw in no-time.

My only advice on the snake boots is trying them on before you buy. I went into Academy thinkingI would be walking out with the Rockies, but they didn't feel that good on my flat feet (actually felt pretty bad), so I ended up with some "Magellan’s" which felt much better. I noticed them in either bass pro or cabalas wearing their brand name- so hopefully they aren't too bad. Had I ordered the Rockies I'd had to return them.
I know Academy, bass-pro & cabalas are selling them in different brands all around ~$100.00 & up, you might find a $79.00 pair every now and again. Let's just hope we don't ever test them out .

BTW, there are some ranches in the area with free roaming exotics (axis &Black buck) what are the rules on your ranch if any should show up while you're hunting?