If someone could pull 35-40 lbs with a compound, then how much could they pull with a recurve?

a lot depends on how long they can hold 35 and how long their draw length, the longer the length the more pounds will be added.

I shoot a 55 pound recurve and long bow, and 60 pound compound,BTW I have a 30 inch draw length, I can shoot more, but I also shoot at least 100 arrows a day with my long bow, and more than that would make me sore and do more damage than good to my shooting form.

I didn't think to ask this when I bought my first traditional bow. I figured I shoot a 70# compound so I could shoot a 70# trad bow. I ended up buying (through the mail) a 65# longbow. I have a 30" draw. I coudn't shoot this bow. I feel comfortable shooting a 45# recurve and can shoot up to a 55# without any problem, but no more than that. There is no letoff with a trad bow.

The biggest mistake you can make if you are just getting into traditional is not shooting a few different style bows and shoot both recurve and longbow before making your purchase. Some people shoot a recurve better than a longbow but it is different with each person. I know you asked about draw wieght but I thought I'd throw a little more info at you. If you want to get started shooting trad there are a lot of trad only forums with some very knowledgable folks. I shoot a 70# wheel bow, but my recurve is 58# at my draw and my longbow is 52. My first longbow was 43# and I shot a buck with it last yr and got a clean pass through. Don't let the poundage thing mess you up you need to find what you can shoot comfortable and later on go up in weight. Hope the info given above and by the others helps, Good luck

I can shoot my 86 lb longbow much easier than my old 65 lb compound. With my compound, I was always holding it forever while aiming. With my longbow, all the aiming is done before I even begin to draw so the instant I hit anchor, I release. Whole shot probably takes no more than 2 seconds.

Added: My 68" longbow draws 74 lbs @ 28" but stacks 6 lbs/inch after that. I draw a full 30"; hence the 86 lbs. 74 lbs + 12 lbs (extra 2"). I shoot full length compressed tapered white cedar shafts spined at 95 lbs.