While it is shot completely different than a compound or traditional bow,the basic mechanical principles arethe same for all three. They all utilize energy stored in the limbs and propel an arrow by the use of a string. You can callit a bolt all you want and indeed that's it's proper name butwe all know it's just a short arrow. It has a tip/broadhead, insert,shaft (wood, aluminum, fiberglass or carbon fiber construction) nock and fletchings just likea compound or traditionalbows arrows do........it's an arrow.They both have the same effective range as well.

I personally don't care if people want to separate the seasons or lump them together with the regular archery season, makes no difference to me. But make no mistake about it a crossbow is archery tackle and no amount ofdistain or hatred for it will change that fact.

Everybody is going to have a different perception as to how "archery like" the shooting of a crossbow is. Some will think it more archery and some will not but that doesn't change what the weapon is.