My crossbow stance gets me shot at. I'm all for X-bow.

However, I'm not for it as an end-all cure, nor as a seperate season. I understand record maintenance is a big deal with bow hunters (I am a tri-season hunter).

I think X-bow will get more licenses sold, but not at the point of helping sales numbers. Instead I think it is a way to help us hunters. It's another tool to get people into the woods. I'd give it a try after seeing them in action in the south. Would it replace my bow hunting? NO.

I think the real advantage is in the crowd that doesn't bow hunt by skill, or ability. There are a large number of ex-bow hunters who simply can't pull the vertical bow back anymore (namely elders, and injured hunters, physically challenged {beyond the VERY STRICT NY X-Bow requirement now}).

For the records deal, make a seperate category. However, those overly concerned with records should look in the mirror a bit longer. Yes, records matter, but only to an extent. If it means getting my (hypothetical) grandpa in the woods for an extra couple days, then those records mean squat to me. Make a seperate category, and go from there I say.