As for the bow, of course the female in me wanted only the most expensive one, lol but I settled on a Parker Side-kick that was marked down and I could get started sooner and could increase the poundage on as I get stronger? I'm really likin the less "stuff" to carry and the fact that its not "loaded" when Its loaded. I dont have allot of upper body strength so Im only at 40 lbs. A far cry from the blazing speed of my crossbow so I'm gonna probably only go for closer shots. Im meat hunting but If its bigger n better than past bucks Ill wont be able to restrain myself and I wont waste my buck tag on anything smalller until the very last days of the season, lol. My Husband doesnt hunt but Im talking him into doing some photography from my blind. I have a flock of woodies that swims within 12 feet of it and there is three mature males in the bunch. So far they have no clue Im there but then Im a scent control freak, lol. I haVE a stand in my own back field and a small food plot and plan on trying cmere deer 3 day harvest back there.