Well, although it isn't a "crossbow" thread, it does say Ohio Regs in NY, and crossbows have been a part of Ohio hunting for over 20 years, so, it is pertinent.

Advantages crossbow bring - allows former bowhunters now physically unable to comfortably hunt archery season to do so, retunring them to the woods. THese same folks are now entering an age where their kids are old enough to hunt. Is it not easier to introduce a youth to bowhunting by taking him or her bowhunting? Women, elderly and youth find working with a crossbow less intimidating than vertical equipment. The biggest intimidating factor is being able to draw, IMHO. I, too, believe a compromise is in order, and I would like to see the following:

[ul][*]ADD another week on the front end of archery season[*]ADD crossbow use for anyone who wishes to choose using a crossbow, starting the last TWO WEEKS of early archery, all of regular season, and all of extended.[*]ADD a new license tag to purchase, crossbow stamp (tag, license, whatever), but it requires the Bowhunting stamp or education class to secure[/ul]

Are crossbows an advantage? Depends on the situation. It is irresponsible to blanket state any implement has an advantage over another (firearms over bows notwithstanding). A shotgun has advantages over the rifle when in close quarters, or hunting very limited shooting range. A recurve has an advantage over both compounds and crossbows when still hunting and fast shots are demanded. Etc. Right implement for right hunting conditions make for advantages, not the implement on it's own by itself.

However, this year in NYS we have seen more mature bucks harvested in a single season than we have in a very lon time. Many of these animals are coming from WNY and CNY, but every region in the State has sen some pretty impressive animals. When you see one harvested, you can bet you didn't see at least 100 just like it.

The one buck rule... Tell me, how many times have you harvested two bucks in a season? Everyone, how many seasons have you doubed up on bucks? I've been hunting for over 20 years, and I never have. 80% of the hunters I know are in that boat, too. The guys that have done it (2 buck harvest in one year) have done it once, maybe twice in their lifetimes. The DEC states through harvest trends that as many as 3200 hunters are fortunate enough to harvest more than one buck.

So, what exactly would a one buck per year limit do? Besides restrict the lucky 3,000 hunters or so (out of 520,000) from enjoying the luck they were dealt? Sure won;t do a thing for the deer numbers or your hunting quality. Too insignificant a number to be worth it.