I think Bozman makes a good point.I started out using a recurve shooting with my fingers,then a tab. After that I bought a compound bow used a tab and finally use a release with a trigger and a pendilum sight.
Bow hunting started out as just that bow hunting with a recurve which is what was available at the time.Then along came an improvement the compound bow.Also add all the equipment available,releases,sights,scopes,overdraws,
etc.A big difference from the beginning of using a recurve.The same with hunting with a shotgun or rifle I hunt with both.I started out with a single shot my dad gave me open sights.I now shoot a pump 30-06 with a 3x9 scope even though I don't take shots at 300yds or more it is capable of doing it.
A cross bow is one step up in my opinion from a compound bow just as a compound was a step up from a recurve.The same with a gun.
I just wonder how many hunters who hunt with a compound bow would go back to a recurve by choice.If a cross bow is safe,will harvest a deer as quickly as a compound bow I see no problem with it.As far as record books why not a section for crossbows only.