I don't think shooting a traditional bow an older compound or a new compound makes a difference in being able to take a deer down. What you have to realize is if you are comfortable shooting the bow you are using. I do think the older bows might take a little more fine tuning and the recurves alot more. If you feel comfortable shooting your old compound shoot it specailly if you are comfortable with it. It would suck to spend 800 dollars on a new bow and hate it.