My experience and two cents on the subject: I recently went through the 2012 archery season using a crossbow. I am only 30 but I had a major reconstructive surgery on my elbow, so my surgeon signed off on a temporary permit. After using a crossbow for a season, I can say without hesitation, I cant wait to get back to using a compound bow. I truly didnt see any major advantage after using one. They are big and bulky and unless you have shooting sticks, you can stay at full draw with a compound bow just as long if not longer than you can aim a crossbow. The biggest advantage the crossbow brings is anyone can sight one in and be proficient with it after a few shots vs. a compound bow takes a lot of practice to be good out past 30 yards. Crossbows are loud but they make up for it with the speed. The buck I shot didn't even know what hit him it was so fast(350 FPS). When I first got the crossbow permit, I though it was going to be a huge advantage but after using one, I don't feel the same way. Based on my experience, if crossbows were legalized for all hunters, there would probably be an increase in the amount of people who participate in archery season( just like me, a lot of guys would probably think it would make bow hunting easy). But after a season or two, the lazy guys who decided to participate in archery season solely because they can use a crossbow would fade away, IMO. they would realize that it is not as easy as it appears and you still have to do your homework just like the hunters who use a compound bow. After my experience using a crossbow I have no issue with anyone using one vs a compound bow(especially handicap people). At the same time I don't see any reason to make it legal for everyone unless the goal is to sell more archery tags. I come for the school of "if it isn't broken, don't fix it" IMO Iowa's archery season isn't broken..............PS, if anyone is looking for a slighlty used(one season) crossbow, I have a Barnett Goast 350 for sale. It is all sighted in, comes with scope, 6 bolts, cocking device, and 2 brand new/unused rage crossbow broadheads. Asking $500 for the whole package. Brand new it cost me $630 after tax and that was with only 4 bolts no broad heads. PM me if interested.