I think all states show allow crossbows to be used by anyone during bow season.

No.I bow hunt and if I want to hold a rifle then it must be gun season, Life member,nra life member,ISB life member,ect,ect,ect.

I hunt with a crossbow in NJ. I truly see no difference hunting with a shotgun, bow or a crossbow. The thrill is with the hunt - regardless of which piece of equipment you use to harvest your animal. I feel I have as much chance getting or missing a deer as a bow or shotgun hunter. The crossbow is just another tool to use. Notice I did not mention using a rifle to hunt in NJ! Illegal! NRA Life Member, Hunting Club Life Member.

I hunt wild turkey and whitetail deer in Ontario. Both methods are challenging and effective.

I use a crossbow as have shoulder disability which made impossible to use my compound bow. It lets me hunt still and as far as letting anyone use em, let em try. Still need quiet, scent free and a lot of practice and realize that even though shoots like a gun as having stock and such and no need to hold at full draw as do with other bows, got to realize they do not shoot the distance others do and use heavier bolts and such. As long as realize not able to shoot long shots and actually have to keep em in close so make a clean quick kill it is all good. When think shot 50-75 yards as have a crossbow you do not belong in the field or woods. I have mine sighted at 25 yards and that is furthest I will try, this way know if do get a shot will kill it ethically and not need go on long tracking sessions. Like anything else we use to hunt with educate self on limits and keep with your limits and limits of equipment. Keep em close as can and know the kill zone.
Trophy Life member NAHC.

I live in Washington State and we have a lot of laws that don’t really make sense to me.
You can use crossbows during the bow season if you are disabled. Anyone can use a crossbow during the rifle season in firearm restriction areas (areas that don’t allow center fire rifles). I think that a bow is a bow. Now before you correct me, I am a bow hunter. I don’t see anything wrong with allowing the use of crossbows during the bow season. It is still a bow and the same methods apply.

while i have no doubt that crossbow hunting is rewarding and challenging, it is not bow hunting. part of the sport of bowhunting is making the draw with out spooking the animal. in NH you can not hunt with any device that hold a bow at fulldraw. what is the diference? i support the use of crossbows, in the general season. the archery season in NH is 3 full months for the challenges of being able to get into range, make the draw and shot. i do agree there is not much dirfference in a crossbow and a shotgun, similar range for smoothbore. choosing a different method than what is specified should be to make the sport more of a challenge, like using a muzzleloader or bow in rifle/shotgun season. or a bow in firearms season. using a crossbow in archery season is like using a 243 in muzzleloader season. i do not belive disabled people should be able to use them in archery season either. a handicap should not be a reason to alter the rules. i know 3 one armed guys who shoot std compounds. because they like shooting archery. and archery is making a draw.

Physically challenged O N L Y !

this is the land of the free. so you should have a choise bow or crossbow..