If you want the top two crossbows on the market.
Compound = Tenpoint
Recurve = Excalibur
Excalibur has a forum where you can get tons of information on crossbow hunting. Archery Talk also has a crossbow section.
http://www.archerytalk.com
You are not able to hunt with a crossbow throughout PA, so learn the laws. Where I live, you are able to use a crossbow in the archery season. I had an Excalibur Phoenix and it was a very good crossbow.
The biggest difference between the Tenpoint and the Excal is that the Tenpoint is smaller, while the Excal was wider because of it being a recurve. The Excal IMO, is the better crossbow because you can change the strings yourself without needing a bowpress. You can change out the strings out in the field. If you string was to break on the Tenpoint, that would end your hunting for the day. The Tenpoint is also louder because of it being a compound.
IMO, the biggest disadvantage of the crossbows is that it's a PITA to walk through the woods. I regular compound bow is a lot easier to walk around in the woods.. The crossbow will get tangled on every branch in the woods...so it seems.