West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

I am 46 year old male, whose passion and first love was bowhunting. Nothing excited me more than being in my treestand before first light on opening morning and feeling the cool October air hit my face as I wondered if today would be the day that Mr. Big Buck came by. That was then......

In April of 2000, I was injured at work and as a result I contacted the flesh-eating- disease. As a result, I lost my ring, middle, and index finger on my left hand. I lost the little finger on my right hand. Both of my feet are over halfway amputated,they are only 5-6 inches long.

I can no longer hold my bow, let alone shoot it,so I recently gave it away.I can no longer use my climbing tree stand, so I gave it away. I' ve tried shooting other bow' s using a wrist strap to hold the bow,but all the debriement the doctor' s did on my left upper torso,and then using skin graft' s to cover it up, the graft' s are so tight that I can' t straighten my left arm out all the way.

I have e-mailed the WV DNR and asked for a special permit or purchase a special license in order to use a crossbow because of my situation, but they said no.
I realize that there are people who are totally against crossbow' s, but they aren' t in my shoe' s.

I would have to use the same tactic' s and be restricted to ground hunting only.So where' s the advantage?

My question is, do fellow West Virginian' s feel the same way that the DNR does, or do you think I stand a good chance of taking this issue to a higher level?

Thank' s for your time,and all answers will be appreciated.

vthompson

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

vthompson...first...welcome to the board! I' m sorry about your situation, and yes I would support you in your quest to get the permit. You said bowhunting is your passion, ....if if was me, I' d pursue it as well. If it' s any consolation, WV' s dnr usually has cranial rectum insertion disease, when it comes to just about anything. I don' t generally support crossbow' s for the able bodied, but if someone is handicapped...that
s a different story. At least you can say you honestly gave it an effort to stay with your compound. Good luck:)

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

vthompson, welcome to the boards. I' m with you all the way. I feel that in order to keep the sport of bowhunting alive that we need to make exceptions to those who are unable to draw a compound. I don' t know what use I can be of from MD, maybe sign a petition or something but I' m with ya.

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

I am not from wv but not to far away. I support your attempt to get a xbow licence. I have said it before, I will say it again. I will respect anybody who is a responseable outdoorsman one who follows all wildlife laws and regulations no matter what they legally use to hunt with. I do not belive an abled bodyed hunter should use a crossbow but if it is legal for them in their state to use it then so be it I respect their decision I may not like their decision but will respect it. Your case is different though and I give you full support. I hope they give you your licence. Good luck

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

vthompson......so sorry to hear of you situation I know that would be a hard pill to swallow and I sure do wish you the best.
I do not intend to come across as harsh but I do not think crossbow' s are good for deer hunting and for that reason i' m firmly against them.

Its not the people like yourself that really miss bow hunting and could benefit from a crossbow that bothers me, if that was the case I would be ready to jump up and help you fight. The problem is if you are allowed to use one then everyone else would have to have the same right. This is where I feel like it would be bad for bowhunting.


Just my opinion and believe me, I' m not always right!:)

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

I think that it is awful that they would not allow you to use a crossbow.In Ohio it is a legal weapon for everyone.I would press the issue.Good luck

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Also if you are not far from the ohio line purchase our out of state licences and hunt here. Ohio' s DNR would except you no questions asked.

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

I thought that the law stated if you had a letter from a doctor saying that you couldnt draw a bow, that they had to give you a special permit for either a crossbow, or those new devises that hold your bow back for you?? I was over at the dnr site the other day, and I noticed something about a law that was passed. I would certianly support you getting one of those special permits, as a matter of fact, I think they should designate a special season for people that have handicaps. But those people in the capitol can be real @ss holes!! I' m behind you all the way!!! I hope you get something worked out!!;)

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

Being from Illinois, using a crossbow is illegal unless you can have a doctor certify that you are disabled and unable to pull a longbow, recurve or compound bow. I am totally shocked that W. Virginia will not allow a disabled person to use a crossbow for deer hunting! [:o]

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

I live in Va. so I have no real say in WV, but you need to take this up the DNR chain of command, and if they still jerk you around take it to the public, contact every hunting orginization in WV and they will go to bat for you also!!!!!

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

Rachunter that statement is a mile away from the truth, some states allow anyone to use a crossbow others limit them to the handicapped. I live in Va. and the only people who are allowed to use crossbows are people who are physically handicapped. It has been this way for years and there is no talk at all of making crossbows legal for everyone.

You may also want to talk to some hunters that use a crossbow, you will find out that a compound bow is a far more deadly weapon than a crossbow! I know we have one gentlemman on the board that would give anything to be able to hunt with his compound bow because it is far superior to the crossbow he is forced to use now due to physical problems he has now.

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

WV DNR has an application you can submit to allow the use of what they call a " modified bow" that is configured to hold the string at full draw, but no cross bows are allowed. There is a place for your doctor to fill out and sign. You can access the application on the WV DNR website. Hope this helps.

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

The two main problems I have with this is:

1) Very simply a crossbow is not a bow. Should a disabled person be allowed to us a gun during bow season???? Of course not. That is the same reason no one should be allowed to us a crossbow.

2) I know this sounds harsh but we all know it true. How many people would end up with a permit to use a crossbow that were not truly disabled?
Example - How many people do you know that have a handicapped permit to use the handicaped parking spaces that really should not have one??

I just think we have to be very agressive in protecting our bowhunting and I dont for one minute believe the fact that the crossbow is not a advantage.

Has anyone here ever missed a opportunity at a deer because they got caught drawing their bow??????

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

I would without hesitation - put up with 100 liers - who get a crossbow permit without being handicaped - to allow one ex-bowhunter like Vthompson too enjoy this great sport again.

We got your back VT - good luck- and stick around-:D;)

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

VT: Sorry to hear about your situation it' s got to be tough to deal with. As a fellow Mountaineer I would be completely behind you getting a special permit so that you could carry on your love for the sport.

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

I would look into the Americans with Disabilities Act, or whatever it' s called, from what I undertand, it was the threat of lawsuits from those folks that made some states allow crossbows for the handicapped. Maybe there' s state chapters?
I' ll echo Rack-attack' s statement that I would accept the liars so a guy like you could still hunt. I' m firmly against crossbow use in archery season, but just as firmly support their use by the handicapped. One poster pointed out that Ohio would let you hunt, and the same goes for MD and PA. You could easily get the permit in any of those states. Maybe make due with giving up the half day and weekend hunts, and schedule longer vacations in those states? Or just hunt with the crossbow anyway. Lot' s of remote hollers in WV, not many wardens.[;)

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

Rack-attack,
We will just have to agree to disagree. :)

I wish nothing but the best for vt and I would be proud to hunt with him anytime. Just not with a crossbow.

VT,
What part of WV are you from and do you need a place to doe hunt this fall? I would love to have you visit the farm for some gun hunting, if you are interested let me know.

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

I cannt type...I' m too busy throwing up my lunch!!

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

Vthompson wow. My situation is nothing compared to yours. I use a crossbow to hunt. if you look at me you would never figure it. I run and lift weights. but I destroyed my shoulder in the Army and it simply will not take the stress of drawing a bow. It' s the angle. I can push forward or pull straight back but can' t push out to the side. I could be collecting disability pay from the Army but I don' t need it. I have marketable skills and can make a living on my own. I miss using a regular bow. Especially when I am at the Archery shop and they have those magnificent looking Hoyts. I would definately not let it stand as it is Vthompson. You may need to petition for a change in the law, but if they don' t let you hunt then use that time to be a royal pain in their arse

Rac Hunter I gotta say I disagree with you. You are right. I havn' t gotten busted drawing my bow. But if I miss my first shot, it' s over. Many of the bows out today are so quiet you can miss and get a second shot. Not a crossbow. They are loud. I also feel that I am limited to as short or even shorter a range than I was with my bow. I don' t think I would take a shot more than 30 yards. more likely 20 yds is my practical limit. I' m thankful that the Virginia game commision saw fit to allow me to hunt. Vthompson you can always get a license here in VA.

David

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

I say that' s a load of crap. I don' t live in Wva any more, but I think every state should make allowances for hunters that have limitations. I would start making phone calls and see what you can do to get the law changed. Lord knows how many other bowhunters you would be helping, and who knows, maybe this is why God put you in this situation in the first place? Don' t get me wrong I don' t presume to know anything about your situation, but You just may be the one to get the ball rolling. I am not sure what I can do to help, but if you need anything let me know and I will do what I can.

RE: West Virginian' s Opinion' s
 

vThompson-
I' m with you...I don' t wish to see x-bows legal across the board, but I think anyone in your position should be able to use one. I fully support your efforts and I wish you the absolute best of luck.

Contact Bernie Dowler, Ed Hamrick and whoever else you can get on or near the phone. Also, we are fortunate to have a pro-hunting Governor in office (for the time being)...I would suggest taking your story to the Governor' s office. Keep calling and calling until you get a response!

Thumbs up to Rack Attack...great quote!
Good Luck!