Of course, a recurve is easier to use than a long bow, a compound is easier than a recurve and a cross bow is easier than a compound and a muzzleloader is easier than a gun. It needs its own season as muzzleloadeing but not competing with the bowhunters, if this was the case all the newbies would be buying crossbows and the art of bowhunting will be gone. Like I said, don't include yourself as a bowhunter if you use a crossbow. Two different idenities. Bobby