Data- the reason you and I can never come to common ground is that you think a compound is "not" a bow based on it's differences with traditional equipment. I happen to think a compound is a bow, as much a bow as a recurve or long bow and based on all the reasons stated above. I hate to break the news to you, but EVERY state considers a compound a bow, the olympics, P&Y, NFAA, 3-d shoots and my indoor archery league. There are differences among bows. Long bows are different in their mechanics from recurves as they are from compound ... but they all work exactly the same and are shot exactly the same.

Now you seem to think because the effectiveness and range of crossbows is similar to compounds that should get them "included" ... but it doesn't. Just as it doesn't get shotguns into ML season, effective range and similarities don't qualify you for a season.

Compounds are and have been part of archery for 25+ years. As the sport of bowhunting has evolved it's always been there. Crossbows were to, but weren't considered archery gear. Why can't you get that MOST of us don't think a crossbow is a bow? Based on that, and we are by far the majority, the logical progression is to manage it as the seperate/different weapon that it is.

Archers shoot bows, not crossbows.