Hi Skeet... just as an example then, what would be the interest of of the NBEF/IBEP in declaring that a bow is a hand held implement to be drawn by two hands without mechanical aid to keep the bow in the full drawn position (or cocked).
Why also should the crossbow be banned from general firearms seasons? What are the interests of hunters there?
Here in Hawaii, you cannot hunt with a crossbow unless on private land or disabled. Its only because of this that we don't allow the crossbow in the general firearms seasons where we allow you to always "hunt down", in other words, in the muzzleloader season, unless muzzleloader only, you can also hunt with a bow. In the general firearms season, you can hunt with anything you choose, but since we don't have a crossbow season, they are eliminated from use there too unless you are disabled.
However, back to bowhunting and crossbows. A bow has a specific definition. A cross bow does not fit in that definition from any angle, but it does fit in with muzzleloaders in more ways than it fits in with bows, so I don't see any problem there at all. I DO see a problem with trying to call an inline comparable to a centerfire, and with that logic, all single shot weapons including crossbows should be in the same season.
Aloha.. Tom
