Disabled Hunter Road Access

[bobcat]

I am the hunter companion for my disabeled friend that has a crossbow permit but I rifle hunt. If I am with him can I have a bow to assist even if I have a rifle deer and elk tag. Worring what would happen if he did hit something and it was crippled or something what would it be legal for a hunter companion to do in that case. He thinks I could go after it with his crossbow but I know nothing about them but do have a bow just wanted to know the regulations on that before we get ourselves into something. Also anybody know how effecient a crossbow is hunting will it stop a deer or elk or would a chase be on.

Buckhorn, that's a good question. I would think that you would be legal in using your friend's crossbow to help him in killing his animal. It wouldn't make sense to me that a companion hunter would be expected to invest in a bow just for the purpose of helping a disabled hunter on his hunt. However I would probably call WDFW enforcement just to be sure.

[bobcat]

This is the WAC that covers disabled hunters but it doesn't specifically address your question:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-828

[buckhorn2]

Thanks Bobcat I looked in the regs but did;nt see anything that covered that but you idea of asking inforcement is good. We usually hunt right behind my house but might get somewhere we might get checked if he got a shot at a doe he would think he had a great season. We shot his crossbow in the yard and he can use a scope on it and out to 50 yards was real accurate but just don;t know what might happen if he did hit one so wondered about follow up.  Thanks  DEL

[brokehunter]

I think someone should come out with a 4wd wheelchair for the disabled folks who can't get around or even onto a quad. I'd call it the Sportsman's Chair. "When the Hoveround just isn't able to get you around." Would be kinda cool seeing a wheel chair with big nobby tires and painted camoflauge, lol.

[carpsniperg2]

I think someone should come out with a 4wd wheelchair for the disabled folks who can't get around or even onto a quad. I'd call it the Sportsman's Chair. "When the Hoveround just isn't able to get you around." Would be kinda cool seeing a wheel chair with big nobby tires and painted camoflauge, lol.

There is a few of them out there, a couple of them even have tracks! I have seen them on the outdoor channel.

[hunterrcc]

the puyallup sportsmens show had the wheelchairs with tracks.  They are a good idea but not sure how well they will work.  A fourwheeler setup the right way is the best in my opinion.  The companion hunter must be close by the disabled hunter I believe 1/4 mile (don't quote me on it I should know better but don't) to help retrive the game animal and yes you could use the weapon that the hunter is using to finish the animal if needed.  I wonder if you can use the crossbow I will check with my dad for the answer tomorrow if I remember. 

[buckhorn2]

I have not been able to find an answer to my question that is if a disabeled person shoots something with his crossbow and it runs off wounded what are the rules that would cover the hunter companions position. My friend has a disabeled permit that allows him to hunt with a crossbow with a scope on it he has one eye. He asked me what if he crippled something and I have always been his hunter companion and I don;t know what we could do lI know with a rifle it says you can help retreive game but what if it;s bow season and he has a crossbow what can the hunter companion do to assist. I don;t know anything about crossbows they just don;t look right maybe a hammer.

[CAMPMEAT]

I have not been able to find an answer to my question that is if a disabeled person shoots something with his crossbow and it runs off wounded what are the rules that would cover the hunter companions position. My friend has a disabeled permit that allows him to hunt with a crossbow with a scope on it he has one eye. He asked me what if he crippled something and I have always been his hunter companion and I don;t know what we could do lI know with a rifle it says you can help retreive game but what if it;s bow season and he has a crossbow what can the hunter companion do to assist. I don;t know anything about crossbows they just don;t look right maybe a hammer.

Call the game dept to make sure you get the right answer.

[buckhorn2]

A good idea I ask a warden yesterday and he said call the department must be the smart thing to do I don;t need any problems.

[Kent Hunter]

I'm disabled and I would like the state to give us at least a FEW draw opportunities to harvest a decent buck. The way that it's set up now, all of the DEER hunts that the game dept has for disabled hunters are just glorified DOE permits. They (the state) used to have it set up for Unit 485 (Green River) that one year it was "Any Buck" for disabled and the next year it would be offered as a "Youth" special hunt for "Any Buck" and so on. Now it's anterless for disabled and "Any Buck" for youth. It's been that way for the last four or five years. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the young hunters having hunts with a chance for a "GOOD" buck, but the state took away the only special hunt for persons with disabilities that let them have a chance at a buck.

[hunterrcc]

Ok so the correct answer is if the disable hunter shoots it with the cross bow and can't get to it then he can give his companion card to a person that possess a hunting license small or big game this state or another state license for that same season.  They may NOT use the crossbow to finish off the animal they must use a legal bow.  The exception is that there are new hunting areas mostly second deer i believe that are in the regs this year that allow anyone to use a crossbow in some restricted firearm areas in city limits but they are modern seasons for anyone to apply for.

 But as for a disable companion that hunts archery with a disable hunter that has a cross bow he must use a legal bow to retieve it.  This is the law.  110% accurate. 

I have not been able to find an answer to my question that is if a disabeled person shoots something with his crossbow and it runs off wounded what are the rules that would cover the hunter companions position. My friend has a disabeled permit that allows him to hunt with a crossbow with a scope on it he has one eye. He asked me what if he crippled something and I have always been his hunter companion and I don;t know what we could do lI know with a rifle it says you can help retreive game but what if it;s bow season and he has a crossbow what can the hunter companion do to assist. I don;t know anything about crossbows they just don;t look right maybe a hammer.

[buckhorn2]

I thank you for your help I could;nt find the answer I wanted to take him hunting but just did;nt want to get myself into something either. Thanks