Once you've committed to allowing non-archery equipment (crossbows) into an ARCHERY season (particularly by reasoning of "it's easier" or "I don't have the time to become proficient with bows" or "I want every technological edge I can get to help me kill a deer if one comes by"
, you may as well accept flintlocks, in-lines, shotguns, rifles into the archery season as well.
If you feel that you would have no chance of killing a deer with a bow and that your chances of killing game would be nill or your time spent would be little more than a "nature walk", then hunt the general big game seasons like everyone else who doesn't use a bow. If you are afraid you can't shoot a bow well enough to kill a deer cleanly beyond 10 or 15 yds, then don't shoot at one past 10 or 15 yds. No one said bowhunting is easy. If your kids can't pull a 35# or 40# bow back, bring them along to sit in the woods with you. They'll learn alot and enjoy the experience until they've matured the following year.
Some people seem to care less if archery season were done away with altogether. I think some would be quite pleased to have one 3 week season where anything goes. As for me, I'll be damned if I want to risk Pennsylvania's already-short archery season get cut back due to increased kills by an influx of crossbows or guns into the ARCHERY season...particulary not for people who wants to use "easier" or "less demanding" equipment.
If crossbow hunters aren't content using their weapons in the general seasons, then they can fight for their own season instead of trying to ride in on the coat tails of bowhunters. They sure don't belong in ARCHERY season.