I think it's fun to use different weapons and different tactics...I went out and priced a recurve last summer, man they have gotten expensive...I used one from the late 60s until the mid 70s, when I bought my first compound...I can still remember the first time I pulled back that compound, after using a recurve, I was absolutely amazed....

I have never "bought in" to the lastest and greatest technology in bows...I stopped when releases came out, just seems to me that a bow should be shot with fingers...That's one reason that I still use a bow that is longer than most axle to axle, still shoot aluminum, feathers, no stabilizer, no peep, only two pins, etc...I love the challenge of a bow and actually have never lost a deer with my current bow, which is about 10-12 years old, I did lose one with the old Bear Whitetail, but it sure wasn't the bow's fault...

I will say this...A compound is a giant step forward over a recurve and offers several advantages...It is sure harder for me to shoot a recurve while in a tree stand, the extra length just gets in the way and I love the advantage of being above the deer...When I was initially using a recurve, I hunted on the ground, that does make it tougher...

Here in NC, our bow season is before our gun season and we have a week of muzzleloading season after bow...I often use my muzzleloader during our regular gun season...I made my own muzzleloader, even though it is a flintlock it is another giant leap in technology over a compound bow...It extends your range out to 75 yards or so and makes hunting on the ground much easier...

If a hunter is only going to kill a couple of deer a year, using a weapon that gives you more of a challege does add more to the experience...

If a hunter is killing multiple animals a year, to help control the population, it is doubtful that he can make a difference (if he has a job and family) on the population with a recurve bow...That is the usually the deciding factor on which weapon I take to the woods...

Most of us don't hunt for food anymore, it's a hobby, do what makes you feel good about the time you are able to have in the woods...