I started with the grizzly stik 650 set up. Good product, they held up well. I would suggest building a few different set ups and testing them out on your bow. I spent about a month shooting different arrow set ups and I ended up with a 615 grain set up that has blown thru deer and pigs no...
Sounds like a good trip, harvested and learned a few things, met a new friend. As far as the ticket, It would be nice if each state was on the same page as far as traveling back home with your harvest. Maybe electronic reporting, tags attached, proof of sex attached.
I shoot 5-6 days a week. I check my strings daily when they get fuzzy I was them. Thats all I really do. I check and make sure everything is in order before I shoot.