I'd settle in on something in the 50-55 pound range. With the right arrows and broadheads, that's enough bow to handle most anything you'll run into in Texas, as well as most of the rest of North America.

Your draw length might drop an inch from compound to recurve. It's hard to say because I don't know what kind of form you use with your compound. If you use a significant bend in the elbow now, you won't be able to do that with a stickbow and your draw length won't change much. If you use a straight elbow with the c'pound, then you're draw length is more likely to be shorter.

Like Wingbone, I'd also suggest sticking with bows that are at least 60" long. That's a pretty good length for a hunting bow, considering your draw length. 62" might be a bit better, but much depends on the bow and limb design. Some 62's stack like bricks while some 60's draw smooth as butter. And vice versa.

I would suggest looking at used bows. You can often get a real deal on a terrific custom bow if you've got a $300 bill in your pocket. If you want to go with a new bow, then I'd suggest hitting www.recurves.com and looking at the ChekMate Falcon.

Before dropping cash on a bow though, I'd really, really recommend going to an all-traditional shoot and letting it be known that you're interested in going from compound to traditional. That's the best way to get to see, and even try, a good variety of bows at one time. Check out Traditional Bowhunters of Texas' website ( www.tbot.org ) to find traditional shoots around the state. We're having one up here in Denton the third weekend in February, if you think you can find your way through Dallas.