The ohio hunter should have insight on this issue. They are legal there. I use one in Pa. I cant shoot as far as my compund bow and still have the speed. X-bow will loose its energy real quick because of the length of the bolt. I have a 200 lb x-bow and 25 yards is the ethical distance for me. After that they drop like a lead balloon. Used by a ethical hunter under 30 yards they are good. They do not perform like guns like some people think. Very expensive for a good one also. I have 1200 in mine. It has its own built in cranking system,silencers ,because they are very loud and they are heavy.Mine is almost 8 lbs. I have a red dot on it also. To get a good trigger pull you should have it reworked. you must keep the rails lubed all the time and dont recommend using them in to much in rain either. If you dont keep the rails lubed the friction from the string on the rails will burn the string up. Also it will shoot different with a dry rail. Also if you cock the thing phyiscally with your arms. You have to make sure you pull it back perfectly even .If not the shot could be off a full foot left or right. So much for all the advantages.