I hunted second season right after a big snow storm during first, scouted a couple weeks prior to season and they disappeared from where I scouted all summer. Ended up connecting, but we had to change our strategy.
If you have a range in your area that let’s you rent and try before you buy I suggest it. I’ve bought a few that I thought I would like and ended up not, everybody has their own feel and ergonomics. It also depends on what you want the function of that pistol to be…home/personal defense...
If I had to do it again I would try harder on the bow. With a sheep tag burning a hole in my pocket and having a new kid in the same year my vacation days were running low. Opted for the rifle, I don’t regret it but wanted to spend as many days on sheep as possible.