Well it depends on what you are considering better! From my own experience I would have to say a compound is a more effective weapon to take whitetail. It also does it in a more ethical way. With a compound you have more foot lbs of energy that transfers into a deer. My uncle and grandpa both switched over to crossbows and last year they wounded way to many deer. They were hitting deer in the shoulders and in the ribs, and not getting any penetration. Part of the reason was because they were taking to far of shots, and the little bolt had no energy left. So in my opinion crossbows are abused. Yes with a crossbow you can hit a target accurately at 50+ yards (which I have done with my uncles) but that doesn't mean it should be done in the field. So I believe if your looking for an ethical way to hunt, compounds/bows are way better. For accuracy and range I would say the crossbow. I'm not saying that you can't take deer cleanly with a crossbow, but I do believe people abuse the privilege that comes with a crossbow. I can put my arrow in the bullzeye at 45 yards with my compound, but that doesn't mean I'm going to go out and shoot a deer that far. In no way am I saying crossbows are wrong for people with disabilities, but if you can pull a bow back then that's the weapon you should be using!

Isn't this question kind of like asking who's got the prettiest wife or girlfriend? (hopefully that is just or and not and/or, cause if one of 'em finds out, there is usually hell to pay.) It seems to me to be a matter of preference and personal responsibility. I know at least one person who has wounded far more deer than he has killed with a bow. But he hasn't figured it put yet. I think if you are responsible, you should be able to select the means that most affords you an opportunity to hunt, but that's just my opinion.

See post under simular qustion. Nuf said?

To the people who are "putting down" crossbows> Have you ever shot one? Not as easy as you think folks. Bow hunters are HUNTERS, period. In the words of Ben Franklin "WE MUST ALL HANG TOGETHER, OR WE SHALL SURLEY ALL HANG ALONE ! Think about it.

I don't think anyone can really use the word traditional when referring to compounds. Traditional bows have always been recurve or longbow.
Even the word better is subjective. If I say my S&W 629 is better than Joe Blow's Ruger Redhawk, who's to say it is or isn't. This is very subjective, strictly a matter of taste or personal preference.
The problem is when we think that our idea of better should be the standard by which all else is measured. Then the temptation is to condemn anything that we don't like and create a rift in the entire hunting community. By our condemnation of another's preferences, due either to our own SELFISH interest or lack of knowledge, we may be walking through a minefield that we will have to traverse again. The stones we throw at other hunters, in our zeal to get our own way, may be picked up and thrown back at us by the anti's. To cast aspersions at other hunters who are engaging in LEGAL activities is very short sighted and hurts us ALL.
It is one thing to carry on a spirited discussion on merits of either crossbow or vertical bows, but then there is the mean and ugly,those who are exclusivists. (If I don't like it it shouldn't be used.) What about compounds versus recurves and longbows.
These are all legitimate hunting tools, as are guns. Think of them as tools of the trade.
Remember, WE ARE, THEREFORE WE HUNT.