Use it. If any bowhunter comes up to you in the field and complains you could always say that you would love to use a regular bow but are handicapped. I'm betting they back down real fast. And if they don't, that becomes their problem and not yours.

Some archers don't like them and claim they are too high tech for bow season. What they don't understand is that crossbows are an ancient weapon and have been found in tombs dating back thousands of years. They also used them during the crusades when the long bow was the weapon of the day. In my mind a crossbow fits in during archery season, simply due to history, better than a compound bow shooting carbon arrows with fiber optic sights and a 70% let off.

One thing though, a crossbow, despite what many claim isn't a long range weapon. I've used one for years and they aren't any better for long shots than a regular bow. The arrow, properly called a dart by the way, is much shorter and lighter which means you need a heavier broadhead (I use a 175 gr Slick Trick) to get the needed penetration. Since it is front heavy it will begin to drop very fast and very quick. Like in regular archer a 40 yard shot is about max for the average shooter.