BUT, a crossbow is not COCKED at the time or even near the time of taking the shot.
I thought it was about drawing the bow back ? You've added another element. But okay, theres a WORLD of difference drawing on an animals when they are right there, in the right shooting position and drawing before they step from behind a tree or bush or after holding for 15 second up to 3 minutes or more.
A crossbow is at the ready position......just like a firearm.
Kinda like holding a 80% letoff bow at full draw with a release - all ready to shoot while only holding a fraction of the weight with mechnical aids ?
Shooting a crossbow is more near like shooting a firearm, but without the gunpowder.
You're right of course. A gun shoots arrows ... errr, no, they don't. A gun is limited to 20-25 yards .... errr, no, they aren't. A gun has wheels and pulley and propels an arrow ... errr, no, they don't. A gun has limbs ..... errr, no, they don't.
How were crossbows like guns again ? A stock, and ....... ??????? I can list 15 similarities between crossbows and compounds - easily. What does that mean ?