But far closer to compare them to each other then a compound to a recurve/longbow.

Honestly - does not this "peaked" compound technology have significant/huge advantages over recurves/longbows? Knowing someone who uses something has little to do with it being legal and available for the season. I do know guys hunting with rigs over 360 fps ( 4gr/lb arrows - may not last long) - others with let off tweaked to over 90% and the Liberty device is still being sold at 99% let off - and others using 2X glass in their sights and/or magnifying peeps. And treestands and ground blinds eliminate or nearly so the "draw in the presense of game" requirement.

I respect your opinions Doug - just giving the counter.

The way I see it, it makes no difference to me if the guy in the next tree stand, ground blind or whatever is sitting there with a long bow, recurve, compound or x-bow. Relatively speaking all bows are quiet when compared to guns so when a fellow hunter shoots, the disturbance to me is all pretty much the same. And if the next guy is using a bow that allows him to shoot farther and/or more acurately than me that again doesn't disturb my hunt. The advantage he gains is simply in his chances to bag a deer at greater distance nothing more. Why should I oppose that as I'm not competing with him, I'm just out enjoying the hunt in the manner I choose and that choice is not being impacted. Now I won't be using an x-bow but for those who decide to give it a try I say have fun!

I don't disagree with alot of that.I just think we have to draw the line on technology.I'm not completely sure where that line is at that point.

I was dead set against full inclusion because I really don't want to see the last two weeks of our archery season in jeopardy.So far I don't see much of an impact.If that's the case.the more the merrier.

Ditto!!

I won't run out and buy one (crossbow) now, but who know's the next time I want to upgrade? Might be fun!!!

How would someone elses choice to use a cross bow instead of a compound or recurve jeopardize your hunting?

"the more the merrier", I agree. We seem to forget that hunters are a fraternity, albeit an aging one whose membership is also declining each year. If the introduction of crossbows increases the number of hunters amongst our ranks and more importantly serves as a necessary tool to manage deer populations,preserve wildlife habitat and protect the public let us give it a try.

The introduction of compound bows and their associated technological improvemnets have not had a major impact on deer populations within the state. Gun season will always be the DEC's most valuable tool in controlling deer populations.

Advancements in technology will never replace ones ability to effectively shoot a bow without practice,preparation,scent control etc, and most of all luck. I have bowhunted with a recurve bow for over thirty five years with a modicum of success. If technological advances in bowhunting offers a hunter a better chance at killing a deer I have no problem with it. Good luck if you you can spend a buck to increase your odds. Its hunting and technological improvements in hunting implements are a natural progression.

In Pa,we have around 800-900k hunters.As more and more people started to bowhunt,a higher percentage of the buck harvest was prior to the does getting bred.Biolologists were afraid that this could effect the breeding ecology.They warned that is the harvest got much higher,we could lose the two weeks of the season that fell during the rut.Add more people with a more efficient weapon and this is a real probability.

That's true to an extent.However,advances in technology have greatly increased the success rate during archery season.As it is now,most crossbows don't offer any advantage in range.They're still a close range weapon but they don't have to be drawn in the presence of game and they take far less time to become proficient.However,like I stated earlier,crossbow technology is at it's infancy and great strides will be made as demand increases.I've played around with several low to mid range crossbows and I don't feel that they offer much if any advantage,except that they don't have to be drawn in the presence of game.I've also played with some higher end crossbows and the advantage starts to be significant.Last year I shot a scoped scorpyd that shot exactly 350 fps at 125lbs.With a Hawke scope,that was easily a 60 yard weapon.Scorpyd has a 160 lb version this year that shoots over 400 fps and does PSE and bowtech.These weapons are easily effective past 60 yards.When you start increasing the effective range of a weapon by more than 100% with very little need to become proficient,a line needs to be drawn in my opinion.That less experienced hunter that struggled getting a shot at 20 yards now has a significant advantage.

In the end,a dead deer is a dead deer.Harvest are usually controlled by the number of tags issued so for the most part,I could really care less someone used to kill a deer with.However,when you hunt in a state like Pa,with so many hunters,when that harvest takes place is a concern.I'm not against crossbow usage.I just want their use to be monitored.