Like I already pointed out, if a crossbow was simply archery equipment then there would be no need for a special permit to use one during the archery only season. Archery season--archery equipment--no special permit required.

I don't consider it to be a gun either--it's in-between IMO.

I'm not leading a protest against them, and I don't care if someone chooses to use one in the appropriate season (primitive weapons). In my opinion (take it for what it's worth), a crossbow is not archery equipment.

Not that it matters, but a rock, ball bearing, etc. when shot from a slingshot arches very much like an arrow or bolt. My point there was simple--does the projectile make it a bow, or not? It's a bow when firing a bolt, but a slingshot when firing a rock? If the ammunition defines the weapon, then the 10/.22 converted to fire bolts is also a "bow"? And the slingshot that fires bowfishing arrows, is it a bow too?

I don't recall the folks that fought and lobbied for separate archery seasons to have included crossbows in that battle.

If you like them, by all means use them--in the appropriate season. It's your choice, just like it's mine to use a bow rather than a muzzleloader during primitive weapon's season. To me it's along the same lines as developing a black powder load for a .270 or .30-'06 then expecting to be able to use that during muzzleloader season. Hey, It's not exactly a muzzleloader, but I'm using the same type of powder and they both fire bullets--so they are one and the same, right?


Chad