I'm not forcing you nor would I ever without proof that compounds are a negative to archey - to choose a recurve. I don't think we should force guys who want to shoot crossbows to shoot compounds or trad bows either for the same reasons.
It's me again. I think that may be the most well written response you have stated yet. The issue of forcing people is a very good point. Right now, crossbows are not allowed in most states during archery season for healthy people. So forcing crossbows into archery season is the option some are advocating for. Crossbow use is allowed in many states, even mine here in NH. That use is limited to firearm season though, not archery season. The ability to shoot and use crossbows is available in many states right now, just not during archery season. So as hunters we have options, accept the allowed weapons in our season of choice .. fight to change the rules of what weapons are allowed in different seasons ... or wait till the appropriate season to use the legal weapon.
See, not many people here are fighting an out right ban on crossbows. We're not also telling them they must shoot bows and not crossbows. Just that archery season, as it is defined in 47 states is bow only for healthy people, and we think they got it right when they set it up that way. To many of us, having to wait till shotgun or rifle season is ok and we accept it .. we don't think that because muzzleloaders are so similar in effectiveness or range that we should allow shotgun use during muzzleloader season. No one argues that compounds and traditional bows have differences .... but crossbows differ in fundamental ways to bows, just as muzzleloaders differ from rifles and shotguns in fundamental ways .. and as such have their own followers and seasons. We could argue till we die about how technology affects things making them easier and more effective to use .. but in the end, bows are bows, muzzleloaders are muzzleloaders, rifles are rifles and shotguns are shotguns .. just like crossbows are crossbows. They are all different and unique and should be managed that way, just like they are today in almost every state.
To me fighting to let crossbows be considered bows .. is exactly the same as saying lets consolidate muzzleloaders and rifles and shotguns. You could argue on the merits of their equal ranges and effectiveness, but at the loss of their uniqueness and differences.