Originally Posted by Screamin Steel

Wrong on all counts. Firstly, bowhunters have never had the woods to themselves. We have always shared them with small game hunters, turkey hunters, and more recently early ML hunters. Most of this additional presence in the woods is factoring in during the latter half of archery, the same time frame that features the developning stages of the rut and the time that most of us hunt the hardest for our bucks. We are used to sharing the woods. Your point is mute.
Secondly, I highly encourage new bowhunters and seek to recruit several each year, especially youth...If I really wanted the woods to myself, I wouldn't be recruiting more bowhunters! My issue with xbows...without getting off the subject here too far, or starting another debate altogether is similar to the traditional views on the definition of marriage that I maintain. In short, I do not want the definition of bowhunting and our archery season to change, any more than modern technological advances affect compound bow technology each year. I have a deep love affair with the bow, and I use both traditional bows, as well as my Bowtech compound. Bowhunting was always about adding a more challenging denominator to deer hunting, and it has served as just that for so many of us that cut our teeth on rifle hunting...then sought a greater challenge as gun hunting became easier. There is also a common path that many compound archers take that eventually leads to traditional archery for the same reasons.
The range limitations, and close range challenges presented by archery have always limited its practical use as a widespread management tool. It has always been about the additional challenge and discipline....nothing else. General Xbow inclusion has changed that, as it just took a big leap in the direction of easier.
As for the increased buck harvest....probably minor, as one buck tag per license year is still only one buck tag per license year. Bag it in archery or bag it in rifle. Again, a mute point. It is about the definition of our archery season, and maintaining a certain degree of challenge, and I agree that the PGC has exploited its use and sold out that challenge by including them for general use. However, now that the damage is done, and countless hunters have spent small fortunes on the latest models, it will be here to stay...just like early ML season in October. Like it or not. Another blunder by the PGCircus.