Crossbow manufacturers are by now happy to have Minnesota as a market, archery shops are making money selling crossbows, and the DNR isn’t going to turn away license sales.

As bow season approaches, Oak Duke recalls how hunting practices and deer populations have changed over the years.

Hunters will be allowed to use crossbows in the deer archery season for the first time this year. Crossbows fire a preloaded arrow that is activated by a trigger mechanism similar to that of a rifle.

Archery GB, the national governing body for the sport of archery, said crossbows were "legitimately" used by archers shooting at targets.

By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor The Maine Bowhunters Association recently announced plans to shut down due ...