Whose an ol' fart...

That's a hell of a way to start if you want to get any information from the older, wiser, group. Having said that, so far I haven't heard much of anything in the pro, con argument that is much different from what went on for years after the compounds were invented. Do you realize the damm things had a 30% let off, why, any 10 year old could shoot one. The compoundguns did greatly improve accuracy and range and allowed you to shoot a heavier bow and with less practice. The number of people taking up archery and the deer kill did go up although most hunters were prior rifle hunters. We said it would ruin the sport(which it didn't) we said they would kill all the deer( there were enough then that they didn't), we said lazy slob hunters would take advantage of it(some did), we said it gave an unfair advantage over the true archery hunters(It did and most of us joined in and bought one). It was actually a greater break from tradition and greater improvement in technology than the crossguns and was fought equally as hard with Pennsylvania being one of the last states to legalize it as we are seeing with the crossguns. 48 states have some sort crossbow hunting so you are fighting a losing battle. 

There is alot of good PA. info here from 1915 on.  Not sure if you are aware of this site or not?  www.fortgrundsow.com

I had just started hunting when the compound was introduced and I didn't start archery hunting until about ten years after, so I consider myself only and up and coming old fart, not an accomplished one.  S-10s post was interesting...the parallels between x-bow and compound.  One difference I see is that when the compound was introduced, the deer seasons were designed to allow for massive population growth (which the deer took advantage of), whereas now, the seasons are set up to lower population (which the hunters have taken advantage of).  Back in the day it was "one and done".  SO that made it easier on the deer to face this new technology.  I can see the X-bow having a more profound impact because of the increased harvest opportunities allowed today along with its ease of use.  As long as season length and opportunity for archery isn't compromised, I dont really care if they are legalized or not.  I imagine that if they are legalized, it will only extend my hunting later into my life.  You dont see too many 75 year old traditional archers.  But, if the X-bow is the only way I can still do it by the time I'm truly an old fart, that's what I'll be using.