That's a regional issue and doesn't apply everywhere. There's not enough public land open to deer hunting for that to be a worry in Texas. The huge majority of deer hunting here is on private land, and who gives a rip if the guy on the other side of the fence is using a compound or crossbow.

I've been expecting the legislature to go the extra step and legalize crossbows for bow season ever since Parks and Wildlife decided the drawlock device was legal. Hasn't happened yet, thought they would do it last summer in fact. But I think it's inevitable.

I shoot crossbows now and have learned quite a bit about them over the past two years. I've learned what a PITA they are to handle. I've learned, even with a scope, I can't get the same accuracy shooting offhand with one that I used to get with a good compound with pin sights. They are, like StrutNTom said, heavy and cumbersome, but he left out the part about LOUD. My 150 pounder shoots a 430 grain bolt right around 250 fps. That's a shade under 60 ft lbs. Not exactly WMD kind of performance. [8D]