RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
Stealthy - Here's a rough breakdown, state by state.
Legal in archery season: Arkansas, Indiana (late season only), Ohio, S. Carolina, Wyoming
Crossbow season: Kentucky
Disabled in archery season: Alabama, Connecticutt, Delaware, Georgia, Illinios, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnestota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, N Carolina, N Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin
Legal in general (gun) season: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii (private land only), Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, S Carolina, Texas
Not recognized as a hunting weapon: Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, W Virginia