Well I am a believer that crossbows should be allowed in every states archery season. No split seasons. In Pa, a state that I archery hunt, there are a lot of people who do not feel that way. But the PGC cant just go back on their decision. A lot of people have purchased cross bows, and would not have done so if they knew the season was only going to be two weeks.

With the new board member selected by the PGC, he made it clear where he stands on the crossbow issue. I see the sept 3 decision being a full inclusion of crossbows in archery season.

This is shaping up to be just like the classic bait dunkers vs fly fisherman debates. I am from PA, and the deer numbers there are astounding. In the eastern part of the state where there are no rifles allowed, this will open up opportunities for more hunters. I know there are places advertising in the papers for bow only hunters to come and thin out number on private land. Maybe it's the box hunters who feel they will be encroached upon? I think they are one in the same with the goal of harvesting a deer with a more primative means, I agree with jjas about the technology used by the average bowhunter now a days.

If people want to hunt with crossbows, let them. As stated above, it will spark some interest into more youth and possibly women. If it shoots arrows or bolts, it should be allowed through the whole season, Period.

I am a PA archery (and rifle) hunter. I would have preferred to keep cross-bows out of archery season, simply to have less deer killed. That being said, I bought an expensive crossbow when they were legalized. I have no idea how they can change the law after the Hunting Digest (Rules Book) is out and licenses have been sold. How can they possibly prosecute a person who says, "I just did what the book you gave me when I bought my license says I could do." I will abide by the law, but now that crossbows are here, I hope we can at least use them for this season.

Kosmos, I like you. I don't take traditionalism that far, but I am in favor of wood bows as well as crossbows.

I live and both bow and rifle hunt in Michigan. I was opposed to the opening up of bow seasons for crossbows. My reason is that there will be a huge influx of hunters into the bow season. BUT these will not be new hunters, they will just be rifle hunters who were to lazy to practice with a bow that will now bow hunt also. This will lead to many more bucks not making it untill rifle season, and harvesting a mature buck during the rifle season will be almost impossible.

It is one thing to allow xbows during bow seasons in states like Illinois and Iowa that dont have the hunting pressure states like Michigan has. The area of public land that i hunt has up to 40 hunters per square mile during rifle season. During bow season it was usually under 5 after the first week...

And for those of you who dont think xbows will have alot of rifle hunters switching over, look at this example... My rifle camp has 8 hunters, only 2 of which bow hunt. Now 4 of the rifle only hunters have went out andd bought Xbows. In the area i hunt Xbow users must be 50 or over, but all 4 of the hunters who switched to Xbows all were capable of shooting a regular bow, but they were too lazy to practice. Now all they have to do is site in thier Xbow and off they go.

Many more mature bucks will now be harvested before they even have a chance to pass on thier genes. Our rifle season starts Nov 15th, and untill now most bucks were able to atleast make it untill then to do some breading... This state already has over 65% of the buck harvest consisting of 1 1/2 year old bucks. Now hardley any bucks will make it.

Allow them for the entire season for those not able to use a bow... other than that, make a limited season on them for all "normal" users.