I feel your anxiety a bit.I dont hunt with compounds at all, I despise them for many reasons, not people who hunt with them just the bows.Anyway Ive got a lion hunt booked for January 14th.Ive spent more money on hunts but this is one of my ultimate hunts.My trouble was deciding between the black powder or stick bow. The more I shoot my curve and longbow the more foreign my guns seem to me and Ive decided to go with the curve win or loose.Im confident in my shooting at this point and it sounds like thats what you need.You have alot of time before deer season gets here so keep shooting that curve and let those Illi deer know what time it is.Good luck and just have fun whtever bow you choose.