Here in Arkansas, crossbows are allowed during bow season. I hunt public land almost exclusively. In 14 years, I've run into a bazillion people in the woods, but only one crossbow hunter (a young girl with her father.. maybe 12yrs old). I did see another one in a truck and in a campground, but only one in the woods. Go figure.

As far as easy... Yea, not much to using a crossbow... If you can get your broadheads to fly (mechanicals make that easy).

There really hasn't been that big of an effect that I notice. Seems if someone is going to take the time to hunt in the bow season, they will use a bow. I know a few who only have crossbows, but they don't hunt serious and only hunt a couple times at most with their xbows.

Just my observations.......

chad