I pretty much just bowhunt now. I still will go during rifle season but look forward to late bow season. I even got my father in law into bowhunting (crossbow for HIM) and this year we took a week off for bow season instead of gun. You will love it too. Bow season is also 6 times longer in most States. You should be able to find a top tier rig for the amount you have allocated. Go to a proshop that has multiple brands and models of bows and shoot whatever rig tickles your fancy. Don't get stuck on brand names. As you said, most bow companies products are pretty much on par with each other and the modern compound is more accurate than the shooter is capable. Hope that helps and welcome to the ranks of bowhunters!