Most of today "bow hunters" in these parts have turned their compounds in for the crossbow.   These things are  flat putting more deer on the ground. Most of my buds that are using them have pushed the kill from 2 to 4 deer to 5 or more.  I've not had one in my hands but from what I hear" if you like to eat deer meat"   It's the way to go

So it is legal for anyone in the state to use one? Here in Wisconsin you need to be disabled and get a special permit to use one. There are some guys pushing for cross bows to be legalized. I posted a poll about cross bows a few weeks ago here:

http://www.foremosthunting.com/Community/HuntingForums/tabid/76/forumid/4/tpage/1/view/topic/postid/9/Default.aspx#330

We haven't had a lot of votes but it appears that most surfers are in favor of cross bows.

I would love to try one but I would also like to try hunting wit a recurve bow.

Yes, our handicapped folks were able to "with a special permit" use a crossbow, but 2 years ago, the state voted on and passed "anyone can now use one" as long as you buy an archery permit.

My traditional archers club has been fighting the state who wanted to create a crossbow season. It is legal for handicapped hunters, but the season would have shortened the bow and gun seasons.

Yes, we, have had folks pick up a bow( cross) and hit the woods to experience the thrill of deer hunting that never would have taken to time to bow hunt before. I think in the end game, it's a bit easier to be successful .  It's my opinion, but I think it has been good for the industry and good for the sportsmen.

Recurve hunters still hunt, but NY was trying to shorten the season for bow and gun. Crossbow is considered a totally different season which was really threatening to cut into other seasons to make room. I don't have a big problem if it were to be rolled in with gun or bow.

Speaking of a new world...in the deer woods.   we,here in Va. have for generations killed does, small bucks and while being blessed with a boat load of deer, have not really had the chance to kill a wall hanger. We were into"killing a deer" and size did not really matter.   Now, a lot of that "old school thought" has come and gone and with food plotting, deer management, we are killing some "woopers". We've been told our gene pool is "as good as anywhere in the country" and Now, age is that key ingredient that  most folks realize will put that buck of a lifetime on their wall.   So, to make a long story short.  Today  is looked upon as"the golden years of deer hunting in Va".