I have come full circle. Recurves for the first 11 years of deer hunting and 28 years with compounds. Now, as of this season, permanently back to the recurve. The simplicity vs. effectiveness of the recurve is too appealing to ignore any longer.

Although I have never had any problems tuning a compound and have never had any malfunctions, the tuning, maintenance, and pre-flight checks are tiring in comparison. Especially, when for the purpose of deer hunting, the supposed advantage of a compound over a recurve or longbow is more psychological than factual.

I believe that most people who have never hunted with recurves or longbows tend to believe that to hunt with a recurve or longbow is to use stone tools and wear a loincloth. I also believe that this mistaken belief is exacerbated by a misunderstanding of many of the terms used to indicate that the bow does not have wheels and cables.

For the purpose of deer hunting, after you weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of a compound against a recurve or longbow, and that of the recurve and longbow against the compound, in then end I believe the recurve and longbow would win out.

If your defensive reaction is to argue the advantages of a compound is holding weight, speed, energy imparted, distance, penetration, etc, be prepared for counter-arguments and examples given by recurve and longbow shooters that will nullify your mistaken beliefs.

When all is said and done, it has been my experience that the recurve and longbow in the hands of a practiced shooter is as efficient and as deadly as the compound bow, especially today with the advanced materials and designs used in the construction of many of the recurves and longbows.