I used to shoot Olympic Recurve. 6 months in I decided to get a compound bow just to try it out.

I am now shooting compound full time. I've sold my Olympic Recurve gear two months ago now. I've also upgraded to a better compound than what I started with.

While I still like olympic recurve, I am much more proficient at compound archery than recurve. It's also a lot less physically taxing and is easier to pickup where you left off if you were to happen to take a few days break.

Olympic recurve (OR) requires that you practice A LOT (think everyday, hundreds of arrows) to even get to an acceptable level of proficiency. For the 6 months I shot OR, I practiced almost everyday and shot somewhere between 100-150 arrows each session and I was not making any significant progress. Going on 4 months of compound shooting and I'm already within arm's reach from the best shooter in our city.

What to shoot depends on you: your patience, the amount of time you can dedicate to practice, your budget, and just simply what you like better. Based on your original post it seems to me you are leaning towards olympic recurve - I suggest you go for that. If you have the luxury of trying both (without buying your own gear) then go and try.

 

I massively, massively disagree that hunting recurves demand snap shooting. Massively. The only ones snap shooting are the ones that can't handle their draw weight but will never acknowledge it.

That aside, pick what appeals to you. I started out "trad" and swore at the time never to pick up a compound "because they're easy mode". I have 3 recurves.
I was wrong.
I learned that mastery of compounds is about consistency- not about hitting the small x once in a blue moon, consistency.
It's not "easier", your competition has the same advantages.
So I have 4 compounds too, because curiosity got the better of me, and compounds turned out to be fun in a different way.
Then I swore never to pick up a crossbow and...
You can see where this is going.

All archery is fun. Pick what appeals to you most and go from there.
See where you end up.
It's a trip.

 

I agree 100 percent that if you are snap shooting you are overbowed. I learned this the hard way when I tried to shoot too heavy of a recurve for two years. I dropped down ten pounds and actually get to my anchor point and am way more accurate. I don’t own a crossbow and don’t see myself buying one at the moment, but that may change as I get older. I shoot and hunt with a compound as well. The funny thing is when I shoot my compound, when I miss the bullseye I am irritated all day. Just the opposite with my recurve. Hitting the bullseye with my bare bow recurve makes my whole day. I really like traditional archery because of the mindset. I am a calmer happier person since figuring out my recurve.

 

I have about 15 recurves, I actually collect the original Bears with fancy wood, I get them out occasionally, especially when my oldest son comes as he loves the recurves (he has won state championships with compounds in the past) and hunts with a recurve and a compound. I only hunt with compounds which I have many (too many). I see no reason not to shoot both, enjoy!

 

In the last 50+ years have shot both, recurve from 59 to 72 & compound from 72 to present. You will get out of it what ever you put in to it.