Well, here's my .02 on this. In the 40 years I have shot arrows I have gone the complete gammit from LB's to curves, to the earliest of wheeled bows to international field crossbows and now I am back to longbows again. I won't change anymore.

But, from all these methods of shooting I can honestly state that the best of crossbows (mine was well over 1000.00 with adjustable palm swell, adj comb. adjustable butt hook, and infinately adjustable trigger pull and sighting) is not inherently as accurate as a good archer with a high tech compound. Side by side I could beat myself with the compound against the field crossbow everytime. Granted it takes more time to be accurate with a bow but the crossbows inherent accuracy is not near as good due to the ramped bolt track and movement that happens during the shot.

If the argument is anti crossbow because of some uninformed accuracy advantage that is perceived by archers....then it has no merit. The compound is far more accurate and we allowed them into the archery season.

My concern about crossbows is why some buy them and their safety afield. To some the crossbow is the easy way out and due to this lack of preparation goes with this thought.....they buy it do a quick sight setting and head afield.

To others due to criminal records they are unable to purchase firearms so they buy muzzle-loaders and crossbows. Now, I will state everyone makes mistakes and some may even get records and be innocent. But, we have all seen the slob muzzle-loader hunter at the ranges that only hunts that way because they have to. Their respect for wildlife and others leaves much to be desired. Do we want this mentality out in the woods with other dedicated archers who respect their game and their sport during an archery season? At least if they have to use a bow it does take some effort to learn to use one.

Bottomline.....I have no predudice against crossbows as a hunting weapon and in the proper hands I would welcome a crossbow hunter to hunt with me. In the wrong hands I would leave the woods for fear of an accidental discharge of a bolt from a cocked and carried crossbow. This has happened with crossbows afield without proper training.