your thoughts ona disabled hunter using a crossbow during bow season.
 

I have a had a few shoulder issues since a wreck at 19. Last winter i fell and landed on my right shoulder on a driveway with nearly a 40 degree angle on it. SO all my weight went on my shoulder. I went to the doctor he said i just pulled it alittle it would be ok. Well 8 or 9 months later it is getting worst. I shot my shotgun a few months back and nearly cryed. :action-smiley-099:
I have had issues pulling my bow back aswell. Though have not tried since march. I went to the doctor and he said it was still sore. he gave me a cortizoan shot. It did not help hurts like hell still does two weeks later. I am worried i will not be able to shot enough for good practice then the pain just from pulling it if i get a deer. SO i thought about the permit they have for someone with a upperbody limitation to hunt during bow season with a crossbow. What are you thoughts. I feel alittle quilty even thinking about this. But i ant about to stop hunting. What do you think of someone using this permit and would you.

I am 100% for the disabled using a crossbow. If I no longer can pull a compound in order to hunt with one, I'll use a crossbow. I couldn't possibly stop hunting.

Now I'm talking truly disabled, not a hurt knee etc that some of these clowns use to get a crossbow permit.

It's going to have to take a lot in order for me to change though, I use Jaws, our own one armed compound hunter as my inspiration and standard. He never even picked up a compound til after he lost his arm. I am in awe of Dan. To top it off, he's one hell of a hunter, great guy and a good friend.

Personally I would probably try to lower poundage on my bow and see if that helps, but if it's legal in your area and it's use a crossbow or don't hunt...USE A CROSSBOW! Anyone that gives you all that much grief about it needs to realize we need as many hunters hunting legally as possible! There's nothing wrong with using a crossbow if it's legal and means you can get in the woods. Good luck!

I don't see a problem with it. As long as its legal.

I use a Xbow, it is legal for all to use one here in VA.

Ihave a bad knee arthritis but i would never use it for the crossbow permit. Though i have the walking limitation permit allows me to use the access roads normaly off limits and hunt from a truck or atv though i plan to never use that part of it. Not sure my red truck would do me any good for cover. :rolleye0011:

disabled..... 100% agree.

Personaly, yes is sux to miss a hunting season, but I would feel to guilty to get a permit, I would just use this season to get healed up, and would video more and use this season to educate myself on deer and deer behavior.

Whatever gets you out there legally man. I'd do the crossbow in a hearbeat if it was the only way I could continue bowhunting. Ditto the lower poundage idea but if that won't work go for the crossbow as long as you need it. Per Rob's story, there was a really cool story on the Twin Cities news a few years back (can't find the video anymore for the life of me) where this developmentally disabled man, with use of only one arm was successfully downing deer and bear left and right with his bow. He had an adaptive aid that allowed him to pull back on the string with his teeth while holding the bow with his good arm. He was shooting robin hoods at 40 yards. Apparently he had been playing in his front yard as a toddler and struck by a drunk driver causing a brain injury and crippling his arm. Now that guy is an inspiration.

Use the crossbow and go hunting, some day we all might have to use one and I for one will use the crossbow if for some reason I can't use my bow. Good luck and good hunting.

I have given it thought this year as well.Last year I had a rotator issue and this year I have tendonitous in my elbow.I am still able to draw my bow but I don't use high poundage anyway.During the shooting session,I am fine but afterwards I hurt like hell and eat Tylenol or Ibuprofen.

If that is what it takes to get out there,get out there.


I don't mind anyone using a crossbow,just don't like it when they get categorized as a bow and are allowed in the whole season.

I feel that traditional equipment should get a little more time to themselves,then compounds could come in and then crossbows after that.

Ky is close,they have archery open to compounds and traditional and then open it up after a few weeks for crossbows as well.

It all boils down to being YOUR hunt....your only responsibility is to ensure you use what's legal....not ensure you get peer approval......well, that and not burning the back straps on the grill!

My hunting buddy hurt his shoulder a few years back. He switched over to a left handed bow. Took awhile to get it down but he was able to hunt. His next step was to get a crossbow permit. Anyway the shoulder is fine now. Not to surebut there might be some red tape you have to go thru depending on your state regs.

Just curious..did he have trouble overcoming dominate eye or did it even bother him?

Kinda funny because he is left eye dominate, so it wasn't that hard for him to shoot.

No thoughts at all except get well soon. Have at it and good hunting.

If it's legal I don't care if you run over them with your pickup truck...:biggrin:

Guys, I started with a recurve back in the 60s...I also started with a flintlock in the 70s...

Do you see a seperate season for inlines and scopes vs flintlocks???

Should we have a seperate season for recurve vs compound???

How about finger shooters vs release shooters???

With all the technology that bow hunters use I just don't see what the problem is...

Deer populations have soared, urban development has taken away habitat, hunter numbers have declined...States want more DOES killed...

Go out, do your part and have fun!!!

Don't worry about what the other guy is doing...

[QUOTE][/your thoughts on a disabled hunter using a crossbow during bow season. QUOTE]

Same as anyone using them - it should be allowed.
And I only own and shoot recurves.

It doesn't matter what others think about how you hunt. If it's legal and it helps you continue to hunt, go for it. Personally, I'm very sick and tired of the CB debate. It has gotten VERY old.

Hear. Hear.

If it's a legal weapon (injury or not) and I wanted to use it......I wouldn't give a flying **** what ANYONE else thought about my choice.

X2!!!!

If it keeps you in the deer woods, enjoying the great outdoors then go for it.

Good luck,

Brian

I myself am on my second shoulder surgery in the past two years, so I know your pain when it comes to having shoulder problems. The best thing that I can suggest is if you have a place that you can do physical therapy find it and do everything that they tell you to do. Funny thing is my physical therapist told me that drawing my bow back at a comftorable weight is actually one of the best rehab exercises I could do!!!! Try that for a bit and if that don't work and you absolutley can't pull your bow back, pray that you can sell your compound for a good price so you can put that money towards a cross bow so you can still pursue something that makes you happy!!!!!

I agree 100% Use the Crossbow and enjoy the outdoors! Don't let anyone belittle your accomplishments or ridicule you for using a crossbow either.

Dan

Big tim there are many adaptations that can be made to a compound to keep you shooting/hunting if you dont feel comfortable with a crossbow. U could look into a draw loc system(this may require a permit to use) it locks the bow at almost full draw so all you have to do is pull back just a little bit and shoot.
Take a look at the PCBA web site(phiscally challanged bowhunters of america) there are many other adaptations that you can look into.

I say good for you! I think its great that you havent given up! Hunt till ya die baby! I hope you whack em and stack em! Good luck and keep us posted. Hope you feel better!

to stay hunting i'd go for in a heartbeat............here in maryland it's legal and if could only hunt with CB then i'd be a cb'er!!

I say if crossbows have to have there own season? Let em have the first month and the rut!

I think we all pretty much agree here.... do whatever it takes to keep yourself in the game!!! And if that means changing to a crossbow, by all means GO FOR IT! If by some unfortunate accident I had to change up, I wouldn't care if It meant using a sling shot :) Be safe, Have Fun, and Good Luck

Thank you:happy0001:

I have no problem at all with it. IF things start getting nit-picky, we will find our selves back to how it was years ago. No compounds.

I say go for it. As the proud owner of a shiny new shoulder joint I was worried about being able to use my Bow. When I first got it, I couldn't pull it. Now it's set down to 42# and I can use it, but I still fight frequent pain. I might look into a crossbow myself.

I'd say, you better get things sighted in. It's not like a Gun & not a Bow. You do need to practice though. Enjoy your time in the field....

Just one thing to say. GO FOR IT!. No matter what you shoot your still hunting and that's all that counts. Yea, there are bow hunters out there that say crossbows shouldn't be allowed. Well, I say put them in your position and see if they are willing to give up hunting. I THINK NOT. Do what you can and GOOD LUCK HUNTING!;)

Hunt for yourself! If it's legal you don't have to justify yourself to anyone. Have fun and be safe but keep on huntin!