From the UBP Website outlining the source of hoopla concerning crossbows in PA:

The crossbow industry and the various and numerous trade and commerce associations which support them, long recognizing a potential market share in Pennsylvania worth multiple millions of dollars, has finally succeeded in convincing at least 55 members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives that by merely ‘legally’ changing the Title 34 definition of ‘bow’, currently defined as hand held, hand drawn and held in place by hand or with a hand held mechanical trigger to now also include the crossbow in that definition of what is a bow. This legislation changes the definition of a bow from a hand held, hand drawn, in the presence of game hunting implement, to ‘include’ a device that is hand held, but actually in the condition of and as a fully loaded, locked, and cocked device, requiring no concern for physical movement or mental training to accomplish the task at hand, much like a firearm; the crossbow.
If this legislation that will re-define the legal definition of what constitutes a vertical bow and that of a crossbow to be one and the same, all existing and future archery seasons would be understood to include the crossbow.
There is little data available to either substantiate or disprove the crossbow industry’s documented claims that there will be no significant biological impact on the deer management plan in Pennsylvania, or any possible effect on the duration of the presently long-existing and well-tested successful archery seasons in the state. There is; only rampant commercial speculation as to how many crossbows may be sold in Pennsylvania if the Legislation passes. There has been no consideration by either the crossbow industry’s commercial interests nor the 55 members of the House of Representatives currently signed as co-sponsors to House Bill 2653, for the possibly significant social ramifications on the already severely stressed relationships between Pennsylvania’s already existing many special interest hunting factions. There is, or was also, no consideration by either party, of the extremely difficult to predict overall effects to wildlife management in a state that historically fielded nearly a million sportsmen per year, or for that matter, in a state which has more acres of public lands shared by more varied outdoor enthusiasts than nearly any other state in the nation.


Hopefully Mr. Frye wouldn't object to me postingthe following here also.......concerning what was talked about above: House bill 2653

By Bob Frye
TRIBUNE-REVIEW OUTDOORS EDITOR
Sunday, June 29, 2008

Could hunters who use crossbows to take deer in places like Allegheny County get the opportunity to lug them off to deer camp someday soon?
Maybe so. The Pennsylvania Game Commission will look into the possibility of allowing hunters to use crossbows for big game in all seasons.
Hunters can already use crossbows in Pennsylvania in certain situations. Anyone who can get a doctor to say they're physically incapable of drawing a conventional bow can get a permit to use them in any big game season. More able-bodied hunters can also use them to hunt elk, bears, and even deer in special regulations areas.
They've been off limits in other situations, though -- most noticeably the statewide archery deer season.

At last week's Game Commission meeting in Harrisburg, however, commissioner Russ Schleiden of Centre County asked agency staff to investigate the pros and cons of introducing crossbows to all seasons in time for the 2009-2010 hunting seasons.
He asked for a report to be presented at the agency's October meeting, which will be held in Washington County.
"The crossbow has been approved for just about every season but one," said Schleiden, of Centre County. "I feel it's been long overdue."
The idea is sure to generate lots of debate.
The United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania -- the group representing the state's organized archers -- has long opposed the legalization of crossbows for the archery season.
In a report on the organization's web site, UBP president Wes Waldron said the group opposes "the use of crossbows in the general archery season by those fully capable of drawing and holding a conventional bow."
The previous three attempts at legalizing crossbows for Pennsylvnaia's archery deer seasons were all sparked by requests from crossbow manufacturers, dealers, and state lawmakers, Waldron added.

Commissioner Tom Boop of Northumberland County believes that is the case again this time.
Typically, he said, commissioners make changes to game laws based on "a perceived need, or a perceived desire," expressed by the agency's constituents. But he said he's heard from no hunters asking for crossbows.
"I think it's fair to say that this is being driven by manufacturers and lobbyists and not from our stakeholder groups," Boop said.
Indeed, the only person to testify in support of crossbows at the agency's June meeting was a representative of a crossbow manufacturer.
Schleiden -- who said he does not own a crossbow and has no plans to get one -- hinted that there is broader support for the tool, though he did not specify who that might be.
"I think you'll find out once we introduce it," he said.
Schleiden did admit that introducing crossbows to archery season could have ramifications. If too many hunters take up crossbows and shoot too many deer, the commission might have to consider shortening archery season or bag limits, he said.



If I can find the other source where I read the PGC reiterating the likelihood of shortening the season or bag limits I'll post it.

Like I said.......even commissioners have stated that this not something that is being driven by the bowhunters or even HUNTERS in general of this state.