SA,

I can't say I know 100% of the bowhunters in this area but I do know quit a few who have flat out told me they will switch. These are not the hard core guys but the ones that go out maybe 7 times a season and who only bow hunt because it falls during the rut. I think it will be different results in different states because each state has a slightly different population deomographics. For that matter it will be different results for different areas in the state.

Around here there are lots of guys who have picked up bows in the last 5 years or so that aren't married to the idea. The only thing that would probably keep them from switching to crossbows will be the economics of shelling out the money on a new one when you can buy used bows real cheap. Now, the question remains will they continue to hunt with the crossbow down the line? That I have no idea. Given the choice of hunting with a bow and hunting with an X-bow I would choose the bow. I have shot a crossbow. Don't like them. Talk about them with local shop owner all the time. While he is not a big fan of them he does think they should be allowed into general Archery season. His opinion is about the same as mine when it comes to many of his customers switching out to them. Also you should understand that this part of the county has a very high average age and many of these gentleman are farmers who think using a bow is just to darn hard because they 1) Own a mid 80's compund or 2) shot a bow when they were a kid and quit. and 3) Don't have time to practice very often. I see these guys shoot, lets just say they aren't getting the same results as some of you folks are

As far as it getting kids into hunting. It might but will it keep them in it? I don't know. The thought of my daughter walking around with a loaded weapon that weighs more than she does is does not sound appealing to me. Maybe I will feel differently in a few years when she isn't 2 years old but I don't know. I see a lot of 10 year old girls pulling 25-30 pounds down at the range, trying to build up over the next year or two to build up strenght. And they are having a great time doing it. (their accuracy isn't the best either).