The fact is Big Duane... You can't go back and take away a weapon once its been established(ie. the compound).. I agree that it may not be a huge difference between a tricked out compound and an xbow, but you have to stop the innovation at some point... Since we know our state would never do away with compounds, we draw the line at xbows...

Our association has fought some big battles the last few years against the xbow and our research shows participation in archery seasons in other southern states has showed a declining trend in hunter numbers since allowing the xbow in... We look at Georgia and Alabama, who just recently let xbows into archery season.. Their numbers have declined while ours have stayed level..... How much is attributable to the xbox? We can't say for sure, but our states are very similar and the only change has been the xbow....

But like I said, the #1 reason we fight xbow is b/c we dont see it as a bow and letting it in the season sets precedent for other weapons.. Sure, you can point at other states and say that has not happened.... I agree, it may never would happen... We have elected to take the approach of better safe than sorry..... The argument that it will bring in new hunters does not hold water based on the declining overall archery numbers in our neighboring states... We also look to states like Ohio where the majority of archery kills are by xbow... We dont want that in our state and we will continue to fight it tooth and nail.....

You don't think they will take your archery season? Think again... Our association lobbied for and got a late bow only season the last 2 weeks of the season.... That lasted for years.... It no longer exists... We now share that time with muzzleloaders... In addition, when the state implemented a youth week for firearms, instead of taking a week from adult firearm hunters, they took one the archery only weeks.... Sure, we all agree and support the youth week, but it just goes to show that archery season in an after thought and they will take it away in a heart beat.