i have used both and killed deer with both. if some one does not have the time or desire to put in enough time to practice and become proficient with a compound then that person owes it to the animals to not use one and use a crossbow. still takes a little parctice but not like a compound. i can not stand to go into a sporting good store the day before archery season any more. lots of guys wait til then to buy a compound. very few of them actually had another bow that they practiced with for a while. most just decided they want to hunt and go buy a bow. shoot 10 arrows at the shop and go hunting the next day. IRRITATING