Here is what I looked at: page 12-13
http://www.flipseekpubs.com/publication/?i=96188
You cannot use a crossbow to legally hunt during the elk bow season however can use one during the rifle elk season? So this tells me that this law does not go back to bow hunting regs during rifle season??
It seems all the mumbo jumbo of no scopes/no smokeless powder/no pellets/no sabots only applies to the muzzleloading elk season. I do not or could not find where to use a muzzleloader during rifle season you must use the projectiles stated in the muzzleloading regs that apply for muzzleloader season.
Not my hunt so I will stop looking. Seems like a silly rule if its true.