bowkill144- Sorry I wasn't trying to criticize you, just give a perspective from an experienced point of view. If they legalize crossbows in NY, I will be one of the first to own one. I have a bad right shoulder, and it doesn't stand up to shooting a regular bow very well. But, I continue to bow hunt for the challenge. I hate...hate...hate...hate...hate...the gun season. Yes, I hunt the gun season, and kill a deer every year, but I don't enjoy it like bow or muzzleloader. NY could modify its seasons some, but it still boils down to hunters letting some deer walk. Lets be honest, probably 1/3(maybe more)of the people who hunt the gun season are only in the woods for that season. Its the only time they see a deer in the woods, so their not going to let the opportunity pass. I work with 2 people who only hunt during the gun season, no grouse, no squirrel, nothing. They don't hunt together. Their goal is to kill a deer, any deer. This year they killed a 5 point and a spike. A couple of years ago one guy shot 2 button bucks. The guy that shot the spike didn't realize it was a spike until he walked up to it. Yes, these people buy tags and contibute to the general good of the sport. Some will become more educated, but many won't. They have a right to kill what they want, and seem to obey the law. I'm just saying if the goal is to have more "trophy" bucks, this type of hunter is a big obstical. If the goal is to manage the herd, they are doing a great service. It is a tough choice for the DEC to make.