I've been through this debate many times and my views have changed based on the arguments made from both sides. I have also setup crossbows when I worked in an archery shop and shot them there as well.

Are they archery equipment: Yup.
Do they "belong" in bow season? Well that depends....

In my view, the onus of justification belongs on the side requesting the change. If you want a change, in this case inclusion of crossbows in archery season, you need to justify the change.

This comes down to two areas, in my opinion:

1) Does it "belong"?
2) Will it have adverse effects on the hunted species.

Deal with #2 first. Some states, such as NH where I hunt and live, could not handle the increased participation and subsequent increased deer kill. We simply don't have the deer population. Other states where deer are like rats and need thinning out, could use increased kill. Hunting among other reasons to hunt, is a wildlife management tool. #2 should be settled by the F&G biologists. Crossbows will probably increase hunters in the woods and increase the deer kill. Can the deer herd handle this?

Now #1, do they belong. A well tuned compound, in the hands of a practiced shooter, is AT LEAST as accurate and at least as long of a range as a well tuned crossbow in the hands of a practiced shooter. Having tuned both I can tune a compound to shoot tight groups easier than a crossbow. The short/heavy bolt combined with the short and powerfull power stroke lend itself to some tricky tuning issues.

I see advantages/disadvantages in the crossbow infour areas:

1) How fast can the "average" guy get proficient with it? Most people who would be hunting with a crossbow, or bow, already hunt with guns, the firing of a crossbow is very close to a gun and the change to being accurate would be quicker with a crossbow than a gun. However, given any hand/eye coordination, I can have most people shooting a compound, that fits them, decently in under an hour. Advantage here goes to the crossbow, albeit not a huge one. If you consider 40 yds as the goal distance, it is easier to get there with a crossbow than a compound and easier to stay there.

2) Drawing in the presence of an animal. Simply put, you don't with a crossbow. Now most of us who bowhunt learn how to not get caught, but we still get caught. My first arrow shot at a deer was my 4th deer encounter in range where I tried to shoot. First 3 caught me moving or drawing. Crossbow in this aspect comes very close to a gun and you get the shot off with much less movement. Advantage here to the crossbow.

3) "ease of use" in the woods. Advantage here goes to the compound. Its easier to carry in the woods, easier to "load", possible to get a second shot if need be and easier to "hang" up in a treestand. Not a huge issue, but small advantage to the compound.

4) "fit". With compounds bow fit is an issue, to much draw weight or to much draw length will kill accuracy. Crossbows won't have this problem (with the possible exception of crossbows where you have to manually cock them). Crossbows are more "portable" between people. I could shoot the same one my wife shoots. This might just go back to #1 but it MAY make it easier for people to get more accrate quickly. The crossbow will "fit".

Pesonally it comes down to the deer herd and the management of the deer herd. Can the deer handle increased hunting pressure and increased harvest that will result if you put more hunters into the woods??