I have no problem with crossbow hunting during archery season. It was legalized in VA a few years back, now instead of just spending the weeknds of rifle season being able to hunt with my father, i also get to hunt all throughout archery season with him, i use a compound he uses a xb. I see no reason why we should limit the people who want to hunt and look down on them for the method they choose. So it may not require as much practice, but there out in the woods with the same intentions as the rest of us hunters.

I don't see anyhting wrong with using a crossbow during the archery season. It gives more people the ability to go out and enjoy the open air, plus it helps raise the number of people who buy licenses. I personaly don't think there should be any laws or restrictions against using them. It would only be fair to restrict inline muzzleloaders during primative season if you are going to restrict crossbows from archery season.

My first reaction to crossbow hunting in Michigan is that they should be used by people over 50. However, after a brief thought as a compound bow user I am sure that traditional bow hunters had similar arguments when compound bows were introduced. As Clay mentioned it is a great way to get more people involved in hunting, especially the youth who would or could have a very difficult time drawing a compound bow. I think it is great that the state of Michigan is expanding our hunting options instead of limiting them. Now all we need them to do is start our season in Mid September like many of our other Midwestern neighbors.

Valid points by everyone. buckhunter where i bowhunt, and i'm sure in other heavily bowhunted areas, Deer do look up so it can be difficult to draw on them. Still as hunters, we should all be afforded the same oppurtunity to get afeild, regardless of what we prefer to use.

I believe that certain age limit should be set to allow youngsters and the "seniors" to crossbow hunt during archery season. For those capable of using a bow during archery season, yet still use a crossbow should be limited to only hunt in the gun season. I hunt with a compound bow and love it. It is a lot more intimate than any other kind of hunting.

There was much hoopla about legalizing crossbows in my state several years back. The first season many tried their hand at it. The second seaon many of those disappeared. By the third seaosn you could hardly find a crossboww hunter.

They really do not provide that much advantage. My old Golden Eagle Hunter compound shoots flatter than a top of the line crossbow I own.

I don't hunt with either so here's my unbiased opinion; crossbows should be allowed for anyone during archery season. There is very little difference between the trajectory of bolts and arrows. However I do believe that crossbows should only be equipped with opens sights during archery season. Having a scope would be an unfair advantage.

Most of the people hit it on the head, as hunters we have to stick together, so I am fine with crossbows during archery season. However, my initial feelings were that there should be an age limit/disability provision and limit it to that, but everyone has there preferences I suppose.

Hmm didn't like that idea huh?

Cross bows are fine with me I have one, but do I use it....no not much. If I am in a special situation maybe...I guess it is like free drifting a night crawler to a small stream trout...It is a blast, but I usually just go for the sanjuan worm instead

I belive that crossbows(legal in the great state of Pennsylvannia) should be legal in all states for people who are new to bow hunting or if a hunter sustains an injury and is unable to pull a bow back should be allowed to use a cross bow.

I do not see what point Clay Cooper is trying to make it sounds to me that he is to tied up on the subject and has nothing else to do

cross bows for disable hunters or kids sure no problem for every one no way .its just more tradtion to me to hunt a recure or compound . but as i age more every year a cross bow want be out of the my thoughts. but if it means more hunters in the woods then let them us a cross bow .they might take a kid huntting some day .and as libertyfrist said to each his own

if u have a disability

There is one advantage crossbows have. You don't have to be sneaky with your draw. That's it. They don't shoot farther. In fact, I have seen compounds outperform crossbows almost every time. Compounds are shooting the same or better velocities, but with a longer, heavier arrow.

So, with a compound, you get more power, range, and penetration.

Using a crossbow, you have to get just as close as you do with a compound. There's no question about that. It's a 20-30 yard deal.

If you still think crossbows are cheating or easy, then I think you are cheating and have it easy with your compound. I use a recurve. So there.

Maybe you shouldn't be allowed to hunt with your compound while I'm doing it the hard way with my recurve?

See? Not cool.