Why is there such animosity towards crossbow hunters/shooters? Unless one is physically disabled there isn' t a need? They shouldn' t be used? That they shouldn' t be allowed during archery season?

Some of the reasons that were given include: crossbow are not archery equipment, more like a rifle, learning curve is too quick.

So for these reasons crossbows should not be allowed to hunt the extended archery season? Hmmm. Let' s see. If you are hunting your own property, you are unlikely to have anyone hunting on your land who shouldn' t be, with or with out crossbow, so competetion from crossbow users will not effect the way you hunt. If you are hunting on public land, you must remember it is shared land. It is not yours it is not mine. The deer are not for your sole enjoyment and pursuit. If some one were to walk through small game hunting with a shotgun, while I was in a blind that is his/her right to do so.

Just because a crossbow is shouldered and has a trigger does not make it a rifle. No where near! There is no gun powder, no explosives, no supersonic projectile capable of harvesting beasts out to 300 yards. As with a vert you must get CLOSE to the intended prey. 25 yards or under for me. You must understand what makes the animals tick, know their habits, scout, cut shooting lanes, learn the trajectory of your arrow/bolt.

ANother reason was because crossbows have a short learning curve. So because someone takes less time to become familiar with their equipment, that is unfair? What would you rather have, someone who is iffy with a vert or someone who is competant with a crossbow shooting at game animals. If it means a clean kill, and enjoyment in the field should we not embrace it?

Crossbows are not archery equipment? Says who? String, limbs with or without wheels, bolt(short arrow), broadhead, rainbow trajectory. Sounds like archery to me. Sure one doesn' t have to draw and hold all that weight, then again someone with a compound doesn' t have to hold the entire draw weight as a recurve shooter would. But that doesn' t mean hunting can' t be enjoyed by both. The modern bow is a far cry from the original " traditional archery equipment" . Wheels, cams, stabilizers, red dot sights, fiber glass, magnesium, aluminum, carbon arrows, mechanical releases(very similar to a trigger). Modern bows are just as different from their predacessors as in-line muzzleloaders are to theirs.

If one really wanted to we could subcatagorize all the different forms and give each one a season. Long bow with out sights-2 weeks, recurve without sights-2 weeks, compound with sights-1 week, crossbows-1 week, sidelocks-1 week, flintlocks-1 week, in-lines 3 days, iron sighted lever actions- 4 days, scoped bolt-action rifles-3days. Sound ridiculous?