I personnally don't feel anyone is trying to stop hunters from enjoying NYS archery seasons. There are means available for all to be able to enjoy archery season as it presently stands. www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/licdisable.html

Icouldn't possibly fully understand every individuals personal situation, especially the handicapped. Butif I personally was in that situation I'd do all I could to enjoy archery seasonin its presentstate. If it meant simply applying for a Modified Bow Permit (I'm not speaking of the harder to get Crossbow Permit)to put a draw locking device on the bow I was no longer able to pull back, then I'd do it if I enjoyed it that much. Especially seeing the crossbow is so much heavier, and bulky to carry around. It would seem a compound with a draw lock would be a better weapon for many handicapped persons. I cannot honestly say I wouldn't want the crossbow if I was handicapped. I personally have nothing against the weapon itself. In fact there might even be a place for it in NY woods. To be honest if the crossbow had its own season, not coinciding with another season I'd probably use one. But thats not what thePro crossbow people are working for. Why Not? It just appears to me many seem to feel the first and easiest answer is the crossbow, it'll solve everything. Noone ever mentions the present devices available to all that have limitedabilities to use present archery equipment.I do feel perhaps the DEC could lighten up on the qualifications for a special crossbow permit for those even with devices available for archery equipment cannot easily use those, and the crossbow is the only way to keep them in the archery woods. For those few I do feel bad for, and I'm sure circumstances do exist.
On the subject of all of usfighting amongstourselves as hunters, and feedingthe anti's. I don'tfall into that at all. I feel it shows how much we actually care for our hunting rights, and ethics. I feel its makes us stronger as a whole, and that we are policing within our own ranks, and beliefs. Its obvious we have rules, and ethics for a reason. We keep certain ethics amongst seasons becasue we all agree its the correct, and proper way to do things. We have seasons, and specific weapons amongthose seasons for that reason.If we go with the attitude everyone should have the right to hunt as they please. Then what are we really saying? Its ok to lower the very standards, and ethics we've lived by! Whats next? Rifles for small game turkey season's, we can use 22's for squirrels.Deer hunting at night, we can coyote & coon hunt at night. Why have a muzzleloader season at all, they're just another gunwith scopes! Heck while were at it, lets just have one big deer season thats open to whatever weapon you feel your hearts desire to use. Then maybe everyone will be satisfied, and we'll no longer fight amongst hunters!!!