I grew up hunting in Pennsylvania, Ryano, and I know how crazy it gets on public land. saw and heard of some scary, insane close calls. I think Pennsy., , like many states, is buckling to the reality of declining hunters by trying to get more people out with these obvious shortcuts to more hunting days with little investment in practice time - and also probably getting greased by the crossbow/hi-tec muzzleloader manufacturers to open up "primitive" seasons to these expensive weapons to boot. I do like pennsy's idea of making smaller bucks off-limits, however, and hope VA follows suit.
Here in Virginia, Crossbows are now legal in any archery season, after years of them for people with disabilities only. I'd like too see them restricted to muzzleloader, but oh well.... I would feel fine hunting "against" people with flintlocks in a "primitive" season, but not crossbows - I think they are as, or even more efficient than in-lines in thick forest I hunt based on the noise level, visibility and second shot probability.
The real rub here in VA arises when check in's are no longer required - who knows WHAT the deer was killed with. I hunt National forest,and I hear plenty of shots in bow season, and plenty of "repeating muzzleloaders" in blackpowder. I have no problem with people hunting with anything, but would like a safe, fair primitive archery/flintlock only hunt of 3 weeks at least! Now I feel a bit skeered walking into my stand in the dark in my camo knowing people are out there with scoped X-bows, or firearms out of season not even having to look for antlers. Used to go in without a light on sometimes, but can't do it now. wearing orange in / out also reduces my chances, but I feel I now have no choice.
