My head is spinning trying to read and comprehend everything in this thread.
Here in Pa, our Flintlock (read primitive) season was made for a group of traditionalists to hunt after the orange army left the woods with their more modern weapons. Some of these folks dressed the part from the colonial past and are re-enactors as am I. During that season the woods are quiet and the sense of solitude is something you can't get during any other deer season. Not to mention more safe from stray bullets.
Now crossbows are allowed which I disagree with in principle. They already can be used in the early muzzleloader season and rifle season. During both Archery seasons, crossbows are also allowed in 3 WMU's
Why put them in the flintlock season? It may be part of the PGC's idea of exterminating a vast portion of our Doe population to "control" their numbers.
In-lines may load from the muzzle but the comparison mostly ends there. They are an updated caplock so to speak and hence have been modernized.
When was the last time anyone heard someone using an inline with PRB. I've never heard of it, hunters use the updated more modern projectiles.
In-lines can be used in the early muzzleloader season and rifle seasons. Good for them.
But a precedent has been set when crossbows were allowed in the flintlock season. It won't be long till every season is called "Anything Goes" season.
There are numerous opportunities throught fall and early winter to hunt deer before Flintlock rolls around.
Sure hope the PGC recognizes that some people value their heritage and hunting similiar to our ancestors.