Welcome to the forum kpr, you will find a lot of good responses to your questions.
I think that more and more governments are realizing the benefits associated with expanded hunting opportunities in general. By incorporating the use of crossbows they are opening the industry up to more opportunities. More hunters mean more dollars and likely more reliable harvest rates.
In Ontario the government has extended the Archery season by a whole month this year and with-in the last couple of years have they have made additional tags (for whitetail) available to everyday hunters in many different WMU's, up to 6 additionals in some areas.
I could probably go on and on about this, at the current time, according to a friend of mine in the Archery business, 95% of Archery equipment sales are Crossbow related.
It is unfortunate that contention exists amongst hunters, we should all stick together regardless of our choice of equipment.
Early last year a forum call TNDeer created a sub forum for Crossbows, you could tell a lot of the guys knew each other and quite a few took a bashing when they decided to add a crossbow to their collection of equipment. At the end of the day I believe most guys with the conviction to buy one, basically ignored the irrational arguments and flaming from their so called collegues. Paradigms are scary.
Any way as mentioned there is a lot to the whole thing, I hope your Government will follow suit and expand your opportunities.
Oh, one more thing, Very Funny Grizz.
Grizzly Adam wrote:Yeah ... I'm sure the crossbow is easier for everyone in cold-weather climes, because it can be tough for a strong man to draw a hunting weight bow after sitting in the cold for hours! In that sense the crossbow would be especially good for kids, women, smaller and weaker guys, and the injured or disabled. I'm glad they're available and legal for you Canucks!
Where would we be without cocking aids?