Hey, Brody, glad you want to venture to the world of traditional archery. It's a lot of fun, and as you said, a lot simpler. Bear bows are generaly a well made bow. I use to have a Kodiak Hunter from '79 that was in great condition. However, 55# could be a lot to start on. If you start with too much, you may not be able to develop proper form and thus won't be able to shoot consistently. From my experiences, and the testimonies of others, I believe accuracy with a stickbow is a byproduct of consistent form. Since you don't use sights and you've been shooting a compound for a while, it'll probably be easier for you to adapt, but it still may not come as quickly as you'd like. If you can, find a bow of lesser poundage to start on; around 40-45#. You can find some relatively cheap on Ebay and other classified sites. With your compound, are you using a release? What's the poundage and your draw? Depending on your set up, your draw is likely to drop an inch or two. A "shelf bow" is generaly a given poundage at 28". Meaning, if it's marked 55#, it means 55#@28", unless otherwise stated. A lot of bows will have the poundage, and at what length of draw that poundage is reached. If your draw is different than the stated draw you'd have to compute the poundage at your draw. A bow could be 55#@28", but it would be 57#@29". A "shelf bow" may not be as nice as a custom because shelf bows are built to suit a wide range of people, however, custom bows are built to suit an individual. Shelf bows can still shoot very nicely though. You can have great accuracy with a traditional bow. As I said earlier, I believe accuracy is a byproduct of consistent form. To be more accurate, acheive a more consistent form. In the end, have fun with whatever bow you end up with. In the simplicity of the bow and arch of the arrow lies the lure of stickbows. It doesn't appear to me as a machine, but as a work of art, and extension of myself. As you get into it more, bring your questions here. There's a lot of guys here that know a lot about traditional archery.

God bless,
Brandan