Jeff G wrote:this is a debate that never has an end...............
Only way to solve it is to say archery is a stick and string, no sites, no compounds, no crossbows.
Compounds have a huge advantage over a trad bow, crossbows have an advantage over a compound bow.
Guys that shoot compounds or crossbows are in the exact same spot. I really laugh when I hear someone that shoots a compound condemn a guy that shoots a crossbow.
Gotta agree with ya Jeff. There's way more bowhunters out there using compounds. That want to and do become effecient at getting their equipment tuned properly. Then becoming great shots at long yardages. Through practice. If you pay any attention to what's happening on the out west end of bowhunting. Nowadays shots at 40-60 yards are very common on game.
I'm willing to bet the average xbow shooter doesn't want to spend the kind of time or effort to match that.
As far as use during archery seasons. At least a xbow still uses a bent limb to power the propulsion of an arrow. The weapon the OP originally mentioned. More properly called an "arrow gun". Does not use a bent limb for powering the arrows propulsion. Even though it's gas, not gun powder being used. It's still a gun. Which should prevent it from being used in "archery only seasons".