I own one and have killed several deer with one. All in gun season.

Having experience with both gives me a better perspective than some.

trying to be fair here.....

Gun like features of the crossbow...

Stored energy.
ready to shoot when game appears.
easy to learn to shoot.
fired from the shoulder and can utilize a rest.
easily shot from a sitting, kneeling, offhandor prone position

Bow like feaures......

Needs to be as close as a conventional bow
Kills by hemmorage not by shock necessitating more precise shot placement than a firearm requires.

advantages over a conventional bow.....

Minimal movement required in presence of game
no chance of fatigue from holding at full draw
can be shot effectively from many more body positions than a conventional bow
easy to learn

disadvantages to the crossbow.....

noisy
bolts are less stable especially at longer ranges
less accurate from offhand position without a rest than a bow in most hands

The claim by crossbow proponents that it is still a close range weapon are true but sadly thats not the message that the industryseems to promote.
It's relatively easy to pick one up and be reasonably accurate with it in an afternoon. I practice year round with my compound but only need to shoot a few nolts each year with the crossbow.

The problem as I see it is that hunting with a broadhead tipped projectile is a sport that requires a considerably higher level of responsibility and commitment. The hunters willing to make that commitment already have done so. The crossbow seems way too likely to attract those looking for the "easy way" to get in on the longer season.

By accepting the extra challenges that come with hunting with a conventional bow, a bowhunter "earns" a longer season. We are understandably concerend that the longer season we have earned might be shortened by those looking for an easier way. I have no problem withhunting by a less challenging method till it threatens the one that so many archers have worked so hard for.