As others have said its a personal preference. Being from elk country and elk hunting every year I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. But I know that you deer hunters feel the same about that animal too, and thats great. I know that if someone came to me and gave me an option to hunt Alaska, but I had to give up elk hunting in the rut for one year that I would do it. I would still hunt elk in late season a weekend or two, and thats what you could do with your deer hunting as well. As far as your bow well I would actually recoment using your older bow because I am sure its like a extension of your arm and a part of you. A lot of first time elk hunters come unglued when a bull comes in so if your bow is not automatic and fluid with the rest of your body you could have problems or freeze up.