In the past few years the Pennsylvania Game Commission has gradually incorporated the limited use of crossbows into its various deer seasons. Some hunters would like to see crossbows accepted as a mainstream deer-hunting weapon, while others resist its use.

During recent years, neighboring Maryland blended crossbows into its major deer hunts, a process similar to what eventually could happen here.

"One of the reasons we added crossbows is that a portion of our hunters had been requesting it," said Brian Eyler, Maryland Department of Natural Resources deer biologist. "The added hunts also provide additional hunting opportunities, which aids in deer management.

"It can be a particularly valuable tool in the suburban areas of the state, where firearms and muzzleloaders are not an option," he added.

Under the current season structure, 15-day dedicated crossbow seasons occur in early October and again in late January. These seasons happen during the archery seasons, so they don't conflict with regular firearms hunts.

In addition, hunters age 65 and over can use a crossbow during any legal deer season. Properly permitted disabled hunters can do so as well.

Eyler said the deer management aspect of crossbow hunts has proved to be a positive one.

"I think crossbow hunts have aided in deer management, even in the limited context that they are currently permitted in Maryland," said Eyler. "I think we have increased the deer harvest and recruited some new hunters into the archery season."

Before last year's hunting seasons, the DNR estimated that nearly 7,000 of the more than 50,000 bowstamp holders use a crossbow.

Eyler reported that harvests have steadily increased during the five years of the dedicated hunt. He questions the accuracy of the first two years of the season, which were under the old check-station system. He said he believes a significant number of crossbow kills weren't categorized correctly. Under the new computerized Telecheck system, hunters are correctly identifying the weapon they used.

As has been the case in most states where the horizontal bow has been added to the list of deer hunting options, crossbows initially were met with some opposition within the state's hunting fraternity. For the most part, the controversy has quieted.

"Several of my friends hunt with a crossbow," said Walter Johnson, a taxidermist and the administrator of Maryland's Trophy Buck Contest program. "One thing I remind them is that Pope and Young won't recognize a crossbow deer in its records. I tell them if they have a big buck working in their area and they are able to pull a vertical bow, they might want to consider hunting with one, that is if the record means something to them."

Some state-administered trophy deer programs, like the one in Maryland, have established a separate category for deer taken with a crossbow.

Johnson said most hunters who pass through his Montgomery County studio have similar opinions on crossbows. He said most don't care one way or the other if someone uses a crossbow. What controversy remains, he says, is more of a friendly banner similar to opinions of compound bows versus recurves or longbows, debates that revolve around the pros and cons of each.

"You've got a few guys that feel extremely strongly on both counts," said Johnson. "I've have friends of mine that are awesome bowhunters. They hunt with a recurve. Period. And they poke fun of the guys using compounds. And there are compound hunters that feel the other way.

"But most of it is just light hearted bickering among each other. Opinions about crossbows usually fall into the same kind of category. But there are some folks and associations that feel more strongly about the use of crossbows. And I think a lot of goes back to the disability thing with using crossbows: hunters getting permits that really didn't need to.

"But let's face it. As a hunting fraternity we don't need to be feuding and fighting among ourselves," he added

Johnson said some hunters see the crossbow as a superior weapon, which he says is not the case.

"There's a common misconception that the crossbow is more accurate," said Johnson. "But it's been proven time and time again that a compound bow is superior. The thing with the crossbow is that you can get fairly accurate more quickly.

"If you take two people that want to bowhunt, that have never touched a bow before, it's faster and easier to for the crossbow hunter to become hunting proficient than with a compound."

"My own personal view is that I have no use for a crossbow, but I'm not going to jump up on a stump and dictate to someone else that they shouldn't use one," Johnson added.

Jeff Knapp is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.