Disabled Elk Hunter

[bishop311]

Hi Hunting Washington Forum folks!

I'm new to Washington State, having recently moved up to Whidbey Island from South Texas.  Have done plenty of white tail and mule deer hunting down in Texas, but never any Elk hunting (there are none in Texas!).  I'm a disabled hunter, and I was wondering if any of you have any knowledge of disabled Elk hunting rules, regs, etc.?  I've been reading through DNR hunting rules and regs, and my head is spinning.  WAY more complicated than what I'm used to down in Texas!

Thanks for any information or advice any of you can offer.

[Skyvalhunter]

The new regs will be out soon.

[HntnFsh]

Ya, the regs should be in the stores soon. You disabled guys get screwed in the special permit drawings. Have you got your disabled card for WDFW?

[bishop311]

No, not quite yet although I had it in Texas.  I've no doubt that I'll be getting it soon though -- there's no question about my disability.   

Still though, I'm not in the ground just yet and until that happens, I'll be out there alongside all the rest of you trying to bag that next beauty!  I'm really excited to learn more about Elk hunting.  Totally new world for me.  I know Elk hunting can be tough but I'm willing to give it my all; there'll be plenty of fails, but that's just part of the learning process.   

[pianoman9701]

The first thing to do is get registered with the WDFW. Here's their info page and link to get signed up. http://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/ This takes filling out a form, having your doctor sign it, and sending it in. The process takes a couple of weeks only.

Next thing, get in touch with Dolores and she'll point you in the right direction for information. She's very helpful.
Dolores Noyes
360-902-2349
Dolores.Noyes@dfw.wa.gov
 
She/WDFW has a list of gated roads that you have access to as a disabled hunter. Depending on the severity of your situation, she'll also have information about wheelchair access and other programs.

[bishop311]

The first thing to do is get registered with the WDFW. Here's their info page and link to get signed up. http://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/ This takes filling out a form, having your doctor sign it, and sending it in. The process takes a couple of weeks only.

Next thing, get in touch with Dolores and she'll point you in the right direction for information. She's very helpful.
Dolores Noyes
360-902-2349
Dolores.Noyes@dfw.wa.gov
 
She/WDFW has a list of gated roads that you have access to as a disabled hunter. Depending on the severity of your situation, she'll also have information about wheelchair access and other programs.

Thanks for the info; I appreciate it.  I've already filled out the application, gotten a doctor's signature and submitted it.  Once I get it back I'll be sure to reach out to Dolores.

I'm not in a wheelchair or anything like that, but my disability does severely limit my ability to hike heavy forested trails, hike up and down steep inclines, etc.  It made me become a smarter hunter in Texas, that's for sure, since I can't really chase anything down.  For me, key is giving myself time to scout and to prep my areas, blinds and so on since it takes me longer to get to my chosen ambush spots.   

[Todd_ID]

Modern firearm, muzzleloader, or crossbow? And are you wanting/willing to drive and stay a week to hunt? These answers will help guys give good info. There're plenty of knowledgeable elk hunters on here who'll help out with solid info.

[bishop311]

Modern firearm, muzzleloader, or crossbow? And are you wanting/willing to drive and stay a week to hunt? These answers will help guys give good info. There're plenty of knowledgeable elk hunters on here who'll help out with solid info.

Thanks for the reply.  I hunt with a Modern Firearm (.338 Win Mag) and would eventually like to try my hand at a crossbow, although I'm not experienced with it yet.  I'm used to staying a week at a time when I hunt as it takes me longer to scout and move around, so that won't be a problem.  Thanks again.

[yakimanoob]

Welcome to the forum and welcome to Washington!

[bishop311]

Welcome to the forum and welcome to Washington!

  Thanks, YM!

[HntnFsh]

You have to have special restrictions to use a crossbow. But you may already know that.

[Don_D]

Welcome aboard Bishop, I am in the same boat. Very limited on mobility and hiking. I can do it but it just takes me a lot longer than it used to get where I need to be and I am very limited by how far off the path I can get. It's limiting but I just have to plan a lot better like you said.

WA has all sorts of terrain but a lot of it is steep in the elk woods. I've found that google earth is one of the handiest scouting tools I have come across for giving me info on an area I might be interested in even with altitude changes etc so I can get an idea of the steepness of a given terrain and decide if it looks good before even getting in the truck to go check it out.

Also, you might want to invest in a nice set of trekking poles if you don't have them already. They are really handy for getting places out here.

As far as the regs go they are confusing for me too and I've been here most of my life. Any questions you have just give Delores a call. She will help you out or point you in the right direction.

I have not had any luck with the special hunts for disabled but you might. I hunt the regular season as well as any other tags I can get selected for. There are some roads you can get into that others can't though with a vehicle and that can be a help.