The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners has gone back and forth on crossbows all year. First they're legal, but not with telescopic sights. Then the scopes are OK, but a push is on to keep crossbows out of the woods during the final weeks of archery season.

Hunters who are holding out on investing in the sporting arm until the commission makes up its mind will find reassurance -- though no guarantee -- in last week's confirmation of Ralph A. Martone of New Castle as the eighth member of the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners.

Martone, an avid archer, said he'll support broad inclusion of the crossbow when a vote is held Oct. 5-6, or at a special meeting that could be held before then.

If board members hold to their positions, Martone's vote would create a 4-4 tie. No regulatory action is taken on a tie vote, so the standing regulation would remain: crossbows are legal sporting arms in Pennsylvania, with or without telescopic sights, during seasons including archery deer. Find accurate details on page 43 of the 2009-10 Hunting and Trapping Digest.

But the key word in the above paragraph is "if." If a board member flips his crossbow vote either way, all bets are off.

County Treasurers can now issue doe licenses for any WMU that isn't sold out. Check real-time availability at www.pgc.state.pa.us, click on "Doe License Update." First round of unsold doe licenses Aug. 3; second round Aug. 17.