Finally some good news

[NEWHunter]

See @SaskHunter that’s the thing. It seems you’re assuming I’m coming at this from a somewhat selfish perspective. I’m not worried about what my Dad’s opportunities are with respect to crossbows here in Wisconsin. He has great opportunities here in Wisconsin. I’m worried about what the opportunities are for all disabled individuals. I responded to your post because it spoke to folks with disabilities having to live with more limited opportunities. Clearly, I disagree with that - always will.

Also, not measuring success by the size of the antlers. That’s the goal, but not the measure. The reason for making that post was for all the folks that seem to correlate crossbows with animals harvested. @SAJ-99 pointed out that his use of a crossbow would have resulted in one less elk on the mountain. My Dad’s use of a crossbow has never resulted in one less deer in the woods. Again, it’s about opportunity for the disabled.

 

[NEWHunter]

I think you want empathy for your specific case and the rest of us are talking in generalities. If the system is being abused, fix the system. I doubt anyone has any problem with your specific case. My point was that even the number of legitimate cases increases as hunters age but don't want to call it quits.

See post #41. Not for my specific case, but for all cases.

Maybe it’s time for a more nuanced discussion around fixing the system then.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Maybe it’s time for a more nuanced discussion around fixing the system then.

Sytem is not broken in Montana. In Arizona the Commission voted unanimously on the fix for that state.
Again to be clear, there remains ample opportunity for crossbow hunters to realize success. Furthermore, those states address some of the challenges and issues facing disabled hunters and make accomodations to assist the disabled to hunt. (ie; access through locked gates onto USFS lands, modifications to archery equipment to assist disabled, ability to shoot from vehicles, and more.)

There is no greater disservice to the disabled and handicapped population than those who pontificate about what should be done and seem to not realize that we all are aware of the challenges and issues facing disabled and handicapped folks and we all desire to level the field of opportunities as much as possible and realistic ... but without adversely impacting hunting or whatever the endeavor for all.

 

[SAJ-99]

See post #41. Not for my specific case, but for all cases.

Maybe it’s time for a more nuanced discussion around fixing the system then.

That is true. Given it is done at the state level there are a low of systems and you have a lot of differences in the end goals. In WY X-bows are perfectly fine for all, in WA anyone can hunt with a X-bow during rifle season or with a disability permit during archery, in MT they will run you you out of town if they see a X-bow at all. AZ wants to create high-quality hunting and has determined that too many people can qualify as disabled and crossbows are too efficient of an instrument to allow them for the longer archery season and still meet its ultimate goals. People with disabilities are not excluded by the system, only by their physical limitations to do the activity. That is important. Some can still hunt during rifle season.

In the end, despite any attempt to give equality in opportunity, someone always get excluded. Could a quadriplegic argue that they can't hunt? Someone is always more disabled than someone else's baseline. So where do we draw the line for a state?

Two things are always true, humans are extremely variable (size, shape, capabilities, funds) and humans will always game the system to their advantage if they can find a way.

 

[Gerald Martin]

Why aren’t disabled hunters allowed to use scopes and inline muzzle loaders to increase their opportunity during a muzzleloader season that doesn’t allow scopes and inline muzzleloaders?

Or center fire rifles during a muzzle loader season. Why does “common sense” prohibit those accommodations for the disabled but not crossbows during archery season?

 

[Rie Bread]

no sights archery season.

 

[SaskHunter]

no sights archery season.

Even better!

 

[Rie Bread]

Even better!

View attachment 352957

Yup you can shoot your compound bow as you feel it

 

[NEWHunter]

There is no greater disservice to the disabled and handicapped population than those who pontificate about what should be done and seem to not realize that we all are aware of the challenges and issues facing disabled and handicapped folks and we all desire to level the field of opportunities as much as possible and realistic

I can think of two greater. Number one is folks gaming the system, resulting in a loss of privileges or additional hurdles for those that were meant to be helped or accommodated. And two is assuming we all are aware of the challenges and issues facing disabled and handicapped folks and we all desire to level the field of opportunities as much as possible and realistic.