Damn, I should let this go but...
For example here in Illinois you can use a slug shot gun, muzzleloader rifle and pistol during gun season.
True BigJ, but you can't use a slug shotgun or pistol during your states muzzleloading rifles only season. That is because your state, like mine uses the firearm season as the "catch all" so that hunters are given the freedom to choose any legal weapon they choose. The one difference is that my state has made the choice on crossbows already, and have made them available to anyone who wants to hunt with them during the firearm/catch all season. The fact they are so rarely used is an indicator of their popularity I believe. In many states that do allow crossbows during firearm season they still have a very small following. I wonder why the "true" crossbows hunters aren't out there in their time?
I do think Illinois hunters who choose to hunt with crossbows be allowed.