WV Legalizes Crossbows for Disabled Hunters

[TheCoalition]

On April 9, 2005, the West Virginia legislation passed SB575 -- a bill that will allow hunters with upper and lower extremity disabilities, as confirmed by a doctor's note, to hunt with a crossbow during the entire archery season. This bill now awaits the governor's signature. More information will be posted once the bill is signed into law.

The Alliance for Disabled Sportsmen Rights
www.disabledrights.org (http://www.disabledrights.org)

[Willie]

On April 9, 2005, the West Virginia legislation passed SB575 -- a bill that will allow hunters with upper and lower extremity disabilities, as confirmed by a doctor's note, to hunt with a crossbow during the entire archery season. This bill now awaits the governor's signature. More information will be posted once the bill is signed into law.

The Alliance for Disabled Sportsmen Rights
www.disabledrights.org (http://www.disabledrights.org)

CONGRATULATIONS!!

It is about time that The Mountainer State got on board..

[Willie]

Do you think that this legalization had anything to do with this??

Disabled hunter challenges crossbow ban

Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A disabled hunter is challenging West Virginia's crossbow hunting ban, claiming it violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Peter Cuffaro of Wheeling sent a complaint to the U.S. Department of Justice in June. The complaint names the state's Division of Natural Resources, which regulates hunting.

Cuffaro, paralyzed from the chest down after a diving accident in 1983 that injured his spinal cord, can move his hands and arms but must use a wheelchair. He said weakness in his left hand and shoulder problems will keep him from bowhunting this season.

A crossbow, which is held horizontally compared to the traditional vertical bow, would be easier for him and other disabled hunters to use, Cuffaro said.

But West Virginia law prohibits using crossbows for hunting.

(Willie- Now the dumbest remarks I have ever heard from a DNR person. It sounds like he has been brainwashed real good)

DNR wildlife biologist Chris Ryan said the archery season is intended for primitive weapons.

(Willie - Is he saying that they should ban compounds? ;) )

That does not include crossbows, because they are more accurate than traditional bows,.......

(Willie - he hasn't seen any scores from tournaments where the crossbowers and compounders shoot side by side has he?)

..... have a greater range..

(Willie - In one word - no. They have identical ranges. 300 fps is 300 fps no matter what launched the arrow.)

........and are more like rifles since they can be held cocked and can be shot with little movement, Ryan said.

(Willie - i've searched and searched and still cant find a way to chamber a cartridge in my Excalibur yet)

Lt. Col. Bill Daniel, with DNR's law enforcement division, said he was unaware of any pending litigation.

Hunters who want to use crossbows should contact their legislators, Ryan said.

The West Virginia Bowhunters Association opposes allowing hunters to use crossbows during the archery season.

"We are definitely not against the handicapped,'' director Steve Frye told the Sunday Gazette-Mail in Charleston. Frye said he's concerned that any allowance for crossbows could be abused by those who are not disabled.
Larry Lawson, a legislative representative with the bowhunters group, said allowing crossbows would lead to more animal kills, and added that some disabled hunters can use modified bows and braces.

(Willie - they aren't against the handicapped but don't wnat to give the handicaaped a choice in what hunting tool is best for themselves to use.)

Cuffaro's complaint follows efforts by Tom LaQuey of Mosca, Colo., who successfully challenged that state's ban on crossbow hunting and who helped form the Coalition for Disabled Hunter Rights.

LaQuey, who has a shoulder prosthesis, is unable to use a traditional bow.
"The reason we started is that the disabled still aren't allowed to hunt in archery season if they need something besides a regular bow,'' LaQuey said.
Twenty-six states have legalized crossbows and modified bows — which may have body braces, draw locks and mouth tabs — with reasonable eligibility requirements, according to the disabled hunter group's Web site.

http://espn.go.com/outdoors/hunting/news/2003/0811/1594123.html

[grinder]

i hope all 50 states pass x-bows during archery for people with disabilities. i did not realize that many were against it. its a shame.

[Willie]

Grinder,

Glad you feel that way.

There are lots of bowhunters and bowhunter organizations that don't.

The PBS says the state handicapped provisions is a tool used by the crossbow manufacturers to get a foot in the door.

The P & Y just issued a position statement that wants all crossbows, no matter who is using them, removed from the archery seasons.

http://www.kentuckyhunting.net/forums/showthread.php?t=14797

The easiest and best thing to do is legalize them for everyone and we wouldn't have to have the hassle of "handicapped permits"..

Then all we would have to do is just go hunting....to each his own.

[grinder]

no disabled person should be denied crossbows during archery season, i'm with you on that. fortunately ky has had that for some time . we can thank KDFW for the outstanding job they have done and the extra effort required to handle all those disability permits. i truly believe we have the best in the country. our whitetail trophy status, turkey populations, and of course elk restoration speak for themselves. we are blessed, thank the ones who make it happen.

[Willie]

no disabled person should be denied crossbows during archery season, i'm with you on that. fortunately ky has had that for some time . we can thank KDFW for the outstanding job they have done and the extra effort required to handle all those disability permits. i truly believe we have the best in the country. our whitetail trophy status, turkey populations, and of course elk restoration speak for themselves. we are blessed, thank the ones who make it happen.

....and now "the ones" are making crossbows "happen" and you disagree with that?

I think I'll go with the experts.

BTW - the KDF&WR doesn't "handle" any permits. All a handicapped person has to do is be examined by their doctor who will state that they can not draw and shoot a hunting weight bow and he fills out a form. The crossbow hunter has to carry it with him at all times when hunting with a crossbow.

The KDF&WR has no idea how many handicapped crossbow hunters there are out there.

[grinder]

....and now "the ones" are making crossbows "happen" and you disagree with that?

I think I'll go with the experts.

BTW - the KDF&WR doesn't "handle" any permits. All a handicapped person has to do is be examined by their doctor who will state that they can not draw and shoot a hunting weight bow and he fills out a form. The crossbow hunter has to carry it with him at all times when hunting with a crossbow.

The KDF&WR has no idea how many handicapped crossbow hunters there are out there.
well, i voted for bush, and i don't agree with everything he's done, but for the most part i'm happy with both.
i was told by a game warden that the handicap permits were a bit of paperwork for KDFW. to be truthful i don't know how the process works. maybe i just got the wrong impression.
you're version does make more sense, and alot simplified.