I am going to get a Ar in .308 for my Ky hunt. One big reason is my shoulder is all but trashed. Guess 475 pounds on Ice and concrete did it in last year.
How much differnce is there with the recoil of the ar in 308 then a normal bolt gun in the same cal.? I am assuming it is less as it is semi auto?
Also does a bipod reduce any of the recoil

Going to a semi-auto will not do a ton to reduce recoil. However, most ARs are equipped with muzzle brakes and that WILL reduce recoil. A 223 in an AR really has zero recoil, in a 308 it will have some but really light. Problem is, you will need to wear earplugs while you hunt or you will lose your hearing. Shooting a muzzle brake with bare ears is NOT something you can tolerate and is not wise. This is one major reason I would never consider a braked rifle for normal hunting.

Rather than going to an AR to reduce recoil, I think you would be better off to either get a 7mm-08 or 243 in a bolt action. 7mm-08 with lighter range bullets is PLENTY for deer and will have very light recoil, 243 has VERY light recoil with any deer load.

If you really want an AR to hunt with, I would get an upper with either of the above cartridges and no brake.

Fact of the matter is that ANY rifle being fired without hearing protection is going to damage your hearing. Some worse than others, but they all damage your hearing when you don't wear hearing protection.

You are correct, I wear protection with a .22 when I'm target shooting. But if you've ever been behind both a bolt gun and a brake-equipped rifle, you would understand my point. Most people don't try to get plugs in when hunting with a normal rifle, 1-3 shots/yr without protection won't do much to you. A single shot from an AR will have your ears ringing for ten minutes.