After reading all of the posts (took long enough)

I have a few questions and a couple of statement of my own.

1st in regards to "is a crossbow a bow or a gun?" While it does share components of both, I would have to say it would be more a bow than a gun simply due to how the projectile is launched. After all it is called a crossBOW and not a crossGUN right. I know some of you all hate them but they are bows sorry. They have been around before anyone even knew what a gun was. So how can you classify it as a gun?

2nd, if it's more gun than bow as some of you think, why is it that the states that do allow them (either by the mainstream or for handicapped) allow them during the archery season? if it's a gun then why not let the handicapped just use a rifle during the archery season to kill there deer?

I have no problem cross bows. If anything I encourage them because if it brings new people into hunting then we ALL benefit. How can bringing people into hunting that otherwise would not, be bad? And this "it's ok as long as you don't hunt when I do" is the right attitude to have? Thats just elitist crap!

I am a HUNTER and I will use any form or weapon that is legal for me to use. This "bow elitism" has to stop or it will be the downfall of the sport. There is a lot of people out there who want to put an end to bow hunting all together and this "in fighting" makes it easier for them to do it.

Why in the hell would you NOT want a crossbow hunter in the woods the same time as you? is he going to kill more deer than if he had a compound or recurve....no.

How exactly does this effect you? And don't give me this "yahoo in the woods who just bought his crossbow yesterday" crap either because I have seen with my own eyes and heard PLENTY of stories of bow hunters, gun hunters, muzzleloader hunters and the like that fall into the same category, your going to find those people no matter what the type of weapon. Maybe some of you BOW ELITIST should try different forms of hunting before passing judgement on crossbows.

Some of you need to relax!! If you want to just shoot a bow then do it and don't worry if the guy across the county is using a crossbow. When I gun hunt here in Illinois I could give a rats ass if the guy in the next county is using a pistol or a muzzleloader all of which are legal to use during the slug gun season. I'm just glad they are in the wood hunting and so should you!