But he is not the only one to feel that muzzleloader season should only be for traditional arms. It just happens to be a bigger deal in Pa because of the original season being flintlock only. But it is a specious argument at best as it seems as though the average joe just wants to be able to hunt.
I did check the site for the NBEF and sure enough some(all listed ones) of the sponsors and contributors was...manufacturers of archery equipment, archery magazines and such things as camouflage etc. Not going to argue the point...but there is no reason to have an organization unless they have an agenda. So they don't acknowledge the fact that crossbows are used hunting. Personally I feel they should be used in the archery seasons as they have no more range than a conventional bow or compound....and are usually used by people with handicaps that don't allow shooting any conventional type of bow. They really can't compete with even a flintlock on an equal basis...and I really don't feel that they can even really compete with any type of normal hunting bow. They surely are a bit more awkward to carry in the woods. Or they seem so to me. Heck the average shot at a deer in the eastern woods is usually less than 50 yds(all firearms seasons) so why the big argument over inlines and sidelock guns... A dead deer is just as dead either way.
Now as far as the issue with the advertisers of the NBEF...I really don't care one way or the other. But after being in the gun(and bow) business for all those years.. Commercial entities are not either sponsoring or contributing unless their agenda is being addressed by the recipient of their largess. A commercial contributor's agenda is to make money..and they support those organizations to advertise themselves and their wares. Also to promote the sport that they make money from. Its not out of the kindness of their hearts..it is a commercial decision to help make money. No more..no less. There is really no way to argue that point
oh and to state that a crossbow should be put into a firearm season even though it is a muzzloader season just doesn't equate. Although the crossbow isn't as old as the long bow..it still throws a stick with a point on it by the use of stored energy exactly identical to the energy stored by any type of conventional bow in use today. Just because the string is released by the pull of a trigger(like releases used so much today?) doesn't make it the equal of a firearm and doesn't make it superior to any other type of bow.