Do you know if there has been any consideration given to allowing kids to use crossbows? Personally, I think this is an area where we should allow crossbows to ensure that all kids have a chance to participate in bow season. I know a few 12 year olds that probably can't draw a bow at a high enough poundage to hunt effectively and I think the state should consider allowing kids access to crossbows.

Wildlife is already considering and proposing opening crossbows up to the entire state and for everyone - received a letter from CE/FS giving us instructors a heads up - which is why last weekend Cabela's had a crossbow workshop for many hunter ed instructors. It is part of their Regs package proposal for 2013. They had many positive comments from the year end survey they sent out to hunters last year. You won't see any change this season though.

Other states that allow crossbows have found that it does not increase license sales significantly. On the contrary, some states have seen a decrease in both hunting and fishing licenses. Old timers dropping off, fewer new people hunting and fishing and a host of other reasons.

I am an example of that. I basically quit bow hunting because I no longer found it safe to hunt from a tree stand (I am age 68) and I had to decrease the draw on my compound. Last year I bought a new bow with the bow-draw-lock system and started hunting again from the ground. Shot a six point from a ground blind sitting on a camp stool.
If cross bows were allowed I would have started up much sooner. I don't qualify for the cross bow permit for the regular season so old age is not a qualifier, you have to be disabled and though I am 30% disabled by the Veterans Administration I am not disabled by the DEEP. Anyway, lacking cross bows I would suggest the bow-draw-lock system for juniors and seniors and anyone in between who wants to hunt from the ground.