I've been following this for a while but have not really posted, but here goes.

I personally do not think we should allow crossbows in archery season.

Data,

Alot of your argument revolves around the false impressions people get of crossbows. People believe they have greater effective range, but because KE is significantly less this, is not true. This is exactly one reason they should not be allowed. I fear that they will attract hunters who do not take the time to get to know their weapons limitations. A lot of gun hunters who only pick up their rifle or shotgun during hunting season will see crossbows as a way around all of the practice that goes into hunting with a compund.

You can talk all day about the fact that it's the operators responsibility to know the limitations, but the problem is a lot of people do not want to take the time or put in the effort to fulfill this responsibility. This can result in lazy hunters picking up their crossbow and thinking they can shoot deer 60 yards away. Now, don't get me wrong I don't think all people who would use crossbows will be irresponsible and unmotivated, but what is stopping people from picking up a compound? It must have something to do with the lack of motivation to practice and perfect which says something about the character of the person. This type of person is likely to be more careless and probably less likely to put forth substantial effort in recovering his game.

You will probably say that this type of behavior is exhibited by users of compounds, which is true, but I think alot less so than would be with those that use crossbows.

People say that in states where crossbows are legal they have not expercienced any problems, but this is only based on data that is calculated - what about unrecovered game? Surely, there is not someone counting how many deer are lost per year by users of crossbows.