Get the Encore in the standard version (forget the ProHunter model, just more more for a few bells and Whistles). As you said the ML will extend your season. Plu for just a few hundred more you can get the HP rifle barrel of your choice and another couple hundred will get you an awsome turkey barrel for the spring.

The Encore gets frowned upon by lots of people because all of the pros use it in every show and for some reason some hunters don't like that type of association. Does not make much sense to me though.