I was trad before compounds came out. I was shooting one day with my nephew, he had just bought a Black Bear compound. We were both shooting a 50lb bow. I was blown away with how much faster and flatter his arrows were flying and I began a 15 or so year journey to the Darkside.
I eventually came back to my senses when I got tired of feeling like a had to keep up with the latest technology. Here's my advice to anyone on the fence:
If you're after meat, stick with the compound.
If you're after a rewarding experience and sometimes a little meat, go trad.
