RE: Recurve or Compound?
If hunting is not your main goal, at least this year, I would say try the recurve first. I shoot both ways. It is a "purer" form of archery and I feel it is more enjoyable if you just want to dink around and target shoot. Yes, it is much more difficult to hit the bullseye with than a compound, but if you expect that ahead of time, you should not get frustrated. Shooting a compound seems like cheating sometimes to me, it is so much easier.
There are also some books out there on shooting instinctively but being me (a typical stubborn guy), I haven't bought any yet. Guess it is sort of like asking for directions. I don't see why you couldn't shoot both at the same time though either, especially if you go to a range and get lessons.