What I dont think some of you guys understand about NJ is they dont let you use less powerful weapons if you want during certain seasons. You have 'Archery' Season bows only, need a license for that. They have 'Muzzleloader' season, smoke poles only, need a rifle and muzzleloader permit for that. Then 'Shotgun' Season, shotguns only, need a regular license for that and special permits for either sex seasons.

Now Crossbows enter the picture. Will there be a 'season' for that? More permits, another license, a 'season' for only crossbows that would limit others time in the woods? It DOESNT seem like that will be the case. But, fish and game has decided to allow crossbows during Archery season, starting the whole debate and fighting about if a crossbow is an 'easier' weapon to use in that season. We wont debate that here, but thats the key to the problem. Easier weapon and more people in the woods at that time.

Im positive we would NOT be having this debate if Fish and Game said Crossbows could be used during Shotgun or Muzzleloader seasons if a hunter chose to do so. It'd be more challanging. If you choose to cry that you have no chance of killing a deer with a crossbow during a gun season, well, now you know how traditional Archers MAY feel about sharing that season with the crossbow season. Justified or not, its how many feel.

So, the easy solution to the problem is to allow the XBows as a subsitute for a gun during ALL gun seasons, permit seasons included. That would give people plenty of time to hunt with that weapon. If crossbow hunters dont like that option, it just proves they want a chance at an easier kill, not a chance to hunt with their Xbow.

Along this line of thinking, theres no reason you shouldnt be allowed to hunt witha regular bow during gun season, but I wont go ay further down that road,,,