Just a little history lesson. The xbow is historically not considered to be a superior weapon to the longbow. After it's invention in 200 B.C.it never suplanted the longbow in warfare, it was simply added as "another" weapon that with it came advantages and disadvantages. Although more accurate in the hands of an inexperienced archer, relative to a skilled longbowman the xbow was a shorter range weapon, less accurate and could not be fired nearly as fast as the longbow. It's main advantage was the ability to fire a "bolt" with enough force to penetrate armor. As far as heritage? The xbow was carried with the first settlers in Jamestown Va in 1607. It was used for both hunting and defense. Now I don't know anything specific to xbows inNY but I'd be suprised if the Dutch didn't bring them along as well when they firstbegan settlingour fine state in the early 1600's. The xbow is every bit as much a part of our "heritage" as the mz.