Crossbow question, calling Bob33

[DoubleJ]

So, I qualify for use of a crossbow.  I already have my paperwork filled out by the Dr.  This will be my last year of bow hinting before I submit my papers next year to get my crossbow endorsement.  I just cannot pull the bow back anymore.

My question has to do with being disabled and having a designated harvester.  I am categorized as disabled and am authorized a designated harvester.  Once I submit my crossbow papers, can I have a designated harvester use my crossbow to harvest an animal?   

[Bob33]

Good question, and I know someone who can answer it.  I will find out.

[DoubleJ]

I asked for you because you seem to know the regs and the super weird way they are interperated better than anyone here.  Thanks for checking

[Bob33]

The answer is no.  I checked the WACs and also asked a friend who is quite involved with disabled hunters.  Your "special use permit" which allows you to use a crossbow is not transferable.

If you want to read more, WAC 232-12-054 addresses the special use permits:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-054

WAC 232-12-828 addresses designated hunting companions:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-828

[DoubleJ]

Thanks man.

[stuckalot]

Curious what the threshold is for the crossbow endorsement.  My wife and I finally made the switch to archery. My Dad who is 70 and is in great shape has shot my wifes bow, but was really concerned about tearing up his shoulder or elbow. After 52 years of bending nails he has a few joint issues.

One of my biggest reservations about switching to archery has been losing the time in the field with my Dad, and have been wondering about the crossbow option...

[bobcat]

stuckalot-  he would need to meet the requirements for a "disabled hunter". See page 83 in the hunting regulagtions.

[stuckalot]

I've read the regulations several times,  but as is the case with many of the regulations they are rather "vague".  Such as under the archery disabled permit section it mentions "unable to hold or draw a bow".  Then goes on to the crossbow permit, for those that can't use draw or holding devices for a bow. 

So if one is unable to draw or hold a bow safely, must they also be unable to use draw aids before using a crossbow?

If someone is fully functional, but a high risk of injury or further damage to joints, tendons or ligaments, would they be considered "disabled"?

I would mostly like to hear from someone who has experience with this regulation, or has been through the process.

Thanks

[Bob33]

A physician determines whether or not someone qualifies:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-054

 (b) A crossbow special use permit is available to a person who meets the requirements for an archery special use permit and is unable to use adaptive archery equipment. Adaptive equipment includes, but is not limited to: Cocking devices that hold the bow at full draw; trigger mechanisms that may be released by mouth, or chin, or hand supporting the bow; and devices that assist in supporting the bow. Information describing types of adaptive equipment will be provided to physicians for their assessment of the applicant's ability to utilize adaptive archery equipment. Muscle weakness, impaired range of motion, or unilateral hand weakness disability, of both hands or both arms or both sides of the upper extremity, may result in an inability to use adaptive archery equipment. Standard tests approved by the American Medical Association may be conducted to assess a person's abilities.

[sakoshooter]

So, I qualify for use of a crossbow.  I already have my paperwork filled out by the Dr.  This will be my last year of bow hinting before I submit my papers next year to get my crossbow endorsement.  I just cannot pull the bow back anymore.

My question has to do with being disabled and having a designated harvester.  I am categorized as disabled and am authorized a designated harvester.  Once I submit my crossbow papers, can I have a designated harvester use my crossbow to harvest an animal?

Dbl J,
Bob seems like a very intelligent person but I have to ask: Why would you ask such an important question of a joe blow hunter on a forum? The WDFW could easily answer your questions concerning the above and you could take the answers as gospel. Just curious. We've all got opinions and many of them are good but I leave nothing to chance when it comes to laws.

[woodman]

So, I qualify for use of a crossbow.  I already have my paperwork filled out by the Dr.  This will be my last year of bow hinting before I submit my papers next year to get my crossbow endorsement.  I just cannot pull the bow back anymore.

My question has to do with being disabled and having a designated harvester.  I am categorized as disabled and am authorized a designated harvester.  Once I submit my crossbow papers, can I have a designated harvester use my crossbow to harvest an animal?

Dbl J,
Bob seems like a very intelligent person but I have to ask: Why would you ask such an important question of a joe blow hunter on a forum? The WDFW could easily answer your questions concerning the above and you could take the answers as gospel. Just curious. We've all got opinions and many of them are good but I leave nothing to chance when it comes to laws.

I could not agree more. I asked a question on here earlier this week and got an answer 180 degrees wrong. Just ask the game dept. Also pose this question to bigtex on here as a straight up question, yes or no.

[DoubleJ]

So, I qualify for use of a crossbow.  I already have my paperwork filled out by the Dr.  This will be my last year of bow hinting before I submit my papers next year to get my crossbow endorsement.  I just cannot pull the bow back anymore.

My question has to do with being disabled and having a designated harvester.  I am categorized as disabled and am authorized a designated harvester.  Once I submit my crossbow papers, can I have a designated harvester use my crossbow to harvest an animal?

Dbl J,
Bob seems like a very intelligent person but I have to ask: Why would you ask such an important question of a joe blow hunter on a forum? The WDFW could easily answer your questions concerning the above and you could take the answers as gospel. Just curious. We've all got opinions and many of them are good but I leave nothing to chance when it comes to laws.

Nobody on this forum knows the regs as well as Bob33.  I trust his rulings as gospel. 

[woodman]

So, I qualify for use of a crossbow.  I already have my paperwork filled out by the Dr.  This will be my last year of bow hinting before I submit my papers next year to get my crossbow endorsement.  I just cannot pull the bow back anymore.

My question has to do with being disabled and having a designated harvester.  I am categorized as disabled and am authorized a designated harvester.  Once I submit my crossbow papers, can I have a designated harvester use my crossbow to harvest an animal?

Dbl J,
Bob seems like a very intelligent person but I have to ask: Why would you ask such an important question of a joe blow hunter on a forum? The WDFW could easily answer your questions concerning the above and you could take the answers as gospel. Just curious. We've all got opinions and many of them are good but I leave nothing to chance when it comes to laws.

Nobody on this forum knows the regs as well as Bob33.  I trust his rulings as gospel.

May I suggest that you go to the trail camera section and look at this thread,  When it is legal to bait bears in Washington.
I am sure that bob33 is a very smart guy and a nice guy, but he definitely can call the regs wrong.

[bigtex]

As Bob said, the crossbow endorsement is not transferable from the endorsed person to a designated harvester.

Also, to provide you all with some more information there has been some confustion with the crossbow use by disabled hunters. Many think that if you are identified as a disabled hunter that you automatically qualify to use a crossbow, that is FALSE. There is a application process in order for disabled hunters to use a crossbow, this process involves getting your doctor to sign off basically saying that you are unable to pull back a regular bow and must use a crossbow. So if you are disabled but have good arm and shoulder strength then you will most likely not qualify for a crossbow endorsement.

For example I have two friends that are disabled hunters. One is parapeligic and cannot move his body from the middle-back down and has been in a wheelchair for about 25 years, however he has great upper body strength and is not eligible for the endorsement. My other friend can only walk a few feet and that is with crutches, however he has terrible shoulders (disabled vet) and he does qualify and have the crossbow endorsement.

So like I said, simply beind disabled does not qualify you for the crossbow endorsement.

[DoubleJ]

I have all appropriate paperwork already filled out.  I have just been waiting to turn it in because Washington says, once you go crossbow, you can never go back