Longbow, Compound bow or Crossbow

Man, you'll get a million different responses to this one . . .
 
I know nothing about long bows.
 
I hunted with a compound for 15 years, then sold it about 15 years ago when we started having kids and it just was taking up too much of my time and attention.  
 
When my oldest son was old enough to hunt, I bought a crossbow.  It requires very little practice for an adult that knows how to shoot.  At 30 yards, I'm probably more accurate with it than I am with a rifle because I don't flinch.  Really easy to shoot and get proficient with it at normal archery ranges out to 35 or 40 yards.  They're pretty fool proof.  
 
Now that my son is older, he has a compound that I bought him two years ago.  As I was shopping around, I shot a number of compounds at a local archery dealer.  IMO, for a true hunting situation other than sitting in a blind with shooting sticks, the compound definitely gets the nod.  
 
The x bow I have is a Wicked Ridge Warrior.  It's bulky and heavy.  Shooting off hand is a challenge because of the weight.  Newer x bows are probably lighter and more friendly in that regard.  DPMS will probably chime in here, as he knows a lot about what's out there now.  
 
If I was a tree stand hunter, or spot and stalk kind of guy, there's no doubt I'd go to a compound.  Newer compounds are so light and maneuverable compared to the Wicked Ridge.  No worries about needing shooting sticks or resting on a tree stand rail.  No worries about maneuvering for a shot.  
 
But as it is, I like my feet on the ground cause I'm a big wuss about climbing more than 4' off the ground and I'm getting lazier as I get older, so I don't mind setting up a chair in my blind and using the shooting sticks.  

Prada, What is your primary goal, target or hunting?

If I could do 'Er, long bow/recurve.... hands down.

Still using a compound I bought nearly 30 years ago but caved to the old age thingy a few years back and bought a x-bow.

X-bow with scope I practice a day or two before using. Compound, I'd shoot several weeks before. More so to build stamina and practice long holds at 65% let off.

Recurve, haven't shot since the mid 60s but practiced year round, just to assure hitting a hay bale at 20 yds. Not easy to draw and hold, one them suckers.... lol

Good luck with whatever choice of weapon you may choose.

Cross-bow, hands down. I've hunted with all 3. I hunt with a Barnett Raptor FX. You can hold it with 2 fingers, it's that light. The limbs aren't very wide on it either. It's not the most accurate x-bow I've ever shot, but it gets the job done. I removed the crank style co-ck device to lighten it even more and use a co-ck rope to pull it back. I think it's a 160 lb. draw and shoots bolts at 330 fps. I installed a 3 dot red dot scope on it and can shoot it left handed just as proficient as I can right handed. Do that with your compound bow.....HA.
 
BH