Like them or not , crossbows are now legal in more states than not and rapidly growing in popularity . As cash strapped F&G departments search for revenue they will increasingly look for tools to do it and the crossbow figures prominently on their list of tools to consider . My own state of Indiana recently declared them legal for taking bucks during our Late Archery season(we could already take does) , and they will be an even hotter topic during our next administrative rules sessions . It wouldn't surprise me if our DNR begins to allow them during our Early Archery season after that too . Crossbows will be coming to a woods near you whether you like them or not someday , deal with it .
Kevin,
It's more important to them that their time in the woods isn't infringed upon. It doesn't matter if it might help strengthen the sport. All that is important is they don't have to share their time in the woods with the crossbow hunters.
[:'(][:@]
See? It's traditional for archers to hate crossbows
That statement pretty much epitomizes the mindset. They think they are keeping archery "pure" but they are just building barriers that help to keep people from taking up the past time that we say we care so much about. I tend to think that if we cared that much that we would take the steps necessary to strengthen it. In todays political climate strength comes from numbers and from finanacing.