Well crossbows are legal in archery season at least till 2012

[manofthe45]

Nope.  Just a general warning to everyone cause I have seen first hand how far out of hand crossbow debates can get.It will not happen here

[shotgunner]

I wonder if any of the guys who are bitching about crossbows have ever hunted with one. I have one and got it so the kids could hunt during the flintlock season with me. I have found that while it is easy to hit with at close range, 20 yards or a little farther, the arrows ( they don't call them bolts any longer ) drop quickly. I have a permit to hunt with one because I had back and hip issues. I have recovered and went back to a compound and took a nice 8 point this season. The cross bow will not extend the range of an archer. Practicing is not work but fun, with any type of bow. Some guys will complain about just about anything. I would suggest that in the future you hunt for a season before passing judgment, Shotgunner

[Davemuzz]

Practicing is not work but fun, with any type of bow. Some guys will complain about just about anything. I would suggest that in the future you hunt for a season before passing judgment, Shotgunner

+1 to that.

I would say if it gets you out there hunting, then I don't have a problem with it. If it gets your kids out there with you in M\L season that was  good. It's now gonna cost you though. Your gonna have to buy some M\L's for the kids and get 'em to the range. Or....wait...I think the post Christmas bow season overlaps with "some" of the M\L season.....so your good to go with that part anyway.

IMHO...the truth be known with the bow hunters....they really don't want more hunters out there in the early archery season whackin the bucks. When you think about it, that's going to be "perceived" (I'm not talking reality here....just perception) as less big bucks available for "them" to shoot. But....that's just what I think.

Dave

[squirrellluck]

Not from Pa. but they made them legal in La. recently too. My response is welcome to the club!I'm just so tired of listening to all the devisionary garbage from what I consider to be the greatest folks around, the hunters of this land. Yes, I am a traditional archer. Long bow, wooden arrows, 2 blade solid broadhead. My opinion is that a lot of folks have lost sight of what it's about. Hunting and enjoying the outdoors. Should we deprive others or discourage them from doing the same? The crossbow is as capable as the compound of cleanly, ethicly killing deer. That's all I as a hunter need to know! Happy hunting.   Scott

[COR]

I like the idea myself.  I think it will bring a new "tradition" to Pa.  I'd welcome generations of crossbow hunters who will pass that along.  This shouldn't bother any sportsman who truly want to preserve a hunting tradition in our state.  I just see no reason to regulate it and I hope it is successful.  Do other states report some alarming or negative statistics concerning crossboy hunters? The Pa bowhunters enjoy a very long season and there is plenty of room in the woods for a few "lazy" archers.  If it gets one more kid off his lazy a** and away from a video game it was worth it.