Datamax, if you really think crossbows are legal archery equipment here in NH, I'll get you access to some prime territory up here and we'll get you set up in a good spot. I'm sure you won't have a problem explaining yourself to a Conservation Officer on how in your mind a compound bow and a crossbow are really the same thing .. he'll buy it I'm sure.
I've got a bum shoulder, it should be no problem for me to get a permit signed by a doctor and use a crossbow in archery season in NH. I got a full plate this fall with CO mule deer and KS whitetails though ...... I'll have to pass the invitation.
But bottom line, archers who are handicap NH have the choice of using legal archery equipment of recurves/longbow/compounds/crossbows - their choice. You still don't believe it ? Call that number and the fine gal on the other end will plainly and clearly tell you that archery who have a handicap permit are allowed to hunt with legal crossbows in legal archery season - they crossbows ARE legal archery bows for handicap people. You said they were not at all - you were wrong.
For the record I use to argue AGAINST crossbows based on what kind of characters were likely to pick one up and go hunting. Couldn't really argue the technology side because hey, I used a high tech compound. Couldn't argue draw and letoff because - yep, you guessed it - my bow had letoff and vastly different draw and mechanism than recurves. I couldn't argue triggers because boy, the mechanical release done WONDERS for my shooting. I mean really, that gadget alone changed compound shooting.
Well, I eventually realized it wasn't the weapon that made the slob hunters - we got planety of slob recurve/longbow/compound shooters and the weapons they choose don't mean nothing. My argument was deeply flawed and I was exposed.
Well since then I started shooting trad, and I realized that there a vast ammount of difference shooting trad vs shooting compounds, and vastly MORE hunting with the two weapons. Not at all unlike the differences between compounds and crossbows and infact, a lot fewer differences IMO when its all said and done.
And its becoming apparent too - compounds have come too far and people are realizing that they might as well allow them because in all honesty, compounds can easily be considered the better weapon. And with booming deer herds and fewer bowhunters every year and the absolutely NONEXISTANT negatives (see AR and OH) ? Makes sense to allow them.