To get a true handle on what effects of allowing crossbows during archery season would have on the deer harvests for each individual state , you'd have to first get an accurate grasp on the participation and harvest percentages. The only way to do that would be to start a crossbow season.
Yes! Bowhunters will complain anyway. Why? Selfishness. They dont want to give up any of their season. I dont feel that way. I'd be happy to give up some of my season for a new weapon. I'd probably (NO I WOULD) buy a crossbow and join the crossbow season myself.
What do you think?
I think you are starting to sound more like someone seeing our side.
Seriously.....I agee 100% with you and I mean 100% There will probably be those who would lie about their choice of weapon, I don't think enough to make a difference in the stats but you are correct to say in order to be 100% sure you need to separate the season. I also agree that bow hunters will complain and again with their reasons for doing so "selfishness"
We don't have to agree on "is a crossbow a bow" when we agree on the other things you listed. At that point it would not matter.
If we have a few seasons for the crossbow and it shows no negative effects on the length of everyones hunting seasons , and the majority of your states hunters are all for it , then by all means let their be one season.
If we were to just go ahead and allow crossbows for anyone in our four month season , right off the bat , and the participation and harvest percentage was big enough to do damage to our deer herd , then everyone would be complaining.
I also agree with you here as well. I would not want to hurt a herd just to introduce a new weapon. I am not sure if your theory would work but it's the best one I have heard so far and I would go along with it.