Dars, 
 
The are positives and negatives with all of them. If you spend some time looking them over, and have specific questions, I am more than happy to discuss each one or others. I have shot many different brands and models. 

Are the crossbow hunters really shooting all the deer? Myself and everyone else I know who changed to crossbow are still having the same success rate as when they were shooting compounds.

We'll take your compound remove the pin sights, the peep sight on the string, stabilizer and the mechanical release and we'll discuss archery hunting when it was skill that took game! Just because someone uses a crossbow it's NO guarantee they will kill a deer. Their horrible to carry in the woods, the weather will affect the flight of the bolt, unseen twigs or sudden movement of game or hunter still plays a role same as with a compound bow. I went thru all the same attitudes that you're going though with the recurve, compound and crossbow but you start to change as age and health take hold. When it came to guns anything more than a 30/30 with 3 shells was over kill for P.A. deer to me but boy how that's changed.

anzomcik
Are the crossbow hunters really shooting all the deer? Myself and everyone else I know who changed to crossbow are still having the same success rate as when they were shooting compounds.

yeah I use a crossbow... PSE 175 # have harvested 1 buck & 2 doe in last 7 years ... with nothing this year. Had a stroke 5 years ago .. but I was using it before the stroke. Did have the limbs splinter tho and PSE replaced them ...for $125 😜...

I shot 41 deer with a bow,starting with a recurve and many compounds. 12 with X Bow. It's still bow hunting,yea a little easier. But you still have to get a deer in range 20-30 yards is my ideal range,not that the bow can't do 40 yards but my eyes don't pick up every little thing at that range. Still kills the same ( by hemorrhaging)  still have to track and recover. I only wish Rage broadheads where available in the early stages of bow hunting.lol We are all hunters regardless of what weapons we use,I have nothing against any weapon one chosen. Are inline really primitive weapons?

I shot a compound bow today for the first time in about 12 years at a local pro shop.  Not a bow set up for me.  Just a floor model.  
 
2nd and 3rd shots I was in the 10 ring at 20 yards.  
 
I had myself fooled into thinking a cross bow was so much easier to shoot, since I've been shooting one for about 4 years now.  For a kid, absolutely.  And I bought it for my son to use.  For an adult, I gotta go with nah.  
 
Some pros to the x bow.  Some to the vertical.  Mostly, as I held the compound in my hand, I thought, "My word, this would be so much easier for hunting."  Light weight.  Maneuverable.  Shoots just as fast.  80% let off, not hard to hold at full draw.  
 
Sheesh, I might even sell my crossbow and get one now.  
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tuna you wishing the Rage Broadheads were available back in the day brought back memories for me, of the Schick Double Edge broadheads. I still have one of my first hunting arrows fitted with a 8 blade.

Woo karez nothr dUm tHrEEd...I use a handmade longbow and a crossbow. Both have pros and cons took out a bunch of deer with both.

I want to thank all for the input and advice. It was helpful when doing my research.

But the research proved to be unnecessary on my part. My wife, armed only with the information that I wanted a crossbow and knowing what type of outdoor equipment I typically purchase, she went out and purchased me a crossbow for Christmas.

She started at a big box store and not getting the attention or information that she felt was needed, she then traveled to the local archery shop (it surprises me she even knew where it was since neither of us had any previous interest in archery of any kind). After telling the owner what my preferences in gear were, in general, not in a crossbow, he presented her with a few different brands and models to look over. She made a choice and a purchase.

So under the tree I found a Mission Sniper Lite with the CB Pro package, a RDS system, and a case.

You Sir, need to give that LADY the biggest hug you can muster!