I carry an AR, either a 22" 25 WSSM or a 20" 458 socom if its thick
RR

My favorite woods rifle for the forests of Vermont and other North East states has been my Savage 99 F .358 Winchester.

It's fast handling and I practice in running deer shoots.

That 99 Featherweight is the third from the top.

By the way; get yourself some good binos !

A good lever action is hard to beat in heavy brush country. Most every place I hog hunt is either an open field with a feeder close by or heavy brush that a flea has a hard time getting through. But like Ridge Runner, I hunt those hogs with one of my AR's. If a good semi-auto like an AR isn't in the deck of cards for you, then a good lever is hard to beat.

Also hard to beat is a good set of Bino's. Like Mojo, I'm getting up there in the years and my eyesight sure as heck hasn't come with me! You may be in one of those damned if I do or don't situations. Personally, I hunt more with my ears than any other sense in dense cover so if it where me in your situation I would opt for a good lever gun in 30-30 or .444 Marlin.

Ultra Light Arms model 20 aka M209

275gr Parker @ 2250-2400fps depending on how froggy im feeling.

Sub 5lbs bare and around 7lbs ready to hunt.

I still hunt in cedar swamps where it in most places it so thick you about have to get on your hands and knees to get thru it. While a old Winchester model 94 in Winchester 32 special and a peep sight for my old eyes was nice, I prefer the new rifle a Remington model 7 in 7mm08 with a Pentex light seeker 2.5 x7 scope.
If the area you are still hunting is thick stuff 7 power binocs are about all you will want, stronger if it is more open.

Al

Here in NE Kansas it can go either way are far as cover. We're on the edge of the prairies and the eastern woods.

It's looking more and more like good binos might be the way to go.

i use my 12 ga pump with sights or 357 mag pistel some times my bow and ml

I use a Winchester 94 in 30-30 for sneaking thru the deer woods. It has a Lyman Peep sight on it. It is light to carry and quick to shoulder and sight. A lever gun is also quick with a second shot if need be.

I don't have good binoculars, I use the cheapies. Good binoculars would be an advantage, If I were buying I would look for something versatile and easy to carry.

I love carrying a lever, Marlins, Winchesters, Savage, used them all. All great. Also, nothing wrong with a bolt action. If you shoot it well, accurately, it's the right gun.
-Jake