There's always a trade off. You lost a little weight from the BAR, and gained quite a few lbs of recoil.
Recoil will be plenty managable. Depending on the real estate being hunted bino's and spotting scopes can be the difference. Sometimes (area) good quality 8-10x bino's are perfect and the spotter is just weight. Where I am hunting close to home now long shots and spot & stalk don't exist. It's just way to thick to hunt like this.
Being well practiced, in shape, and ready to hunt will make the biggest difference in enjoyment. Consider your clothing & equipment, be in shape, have a reliable gun, & good knife.
Thanks Big Nate. I appreciate especially your last two sentences
