Bittersweet peaches archery tag. Any ideas?

[smartazz171]

I know this is bittersweet but my father who is 74 years old drew for peaches ridge archery tag but last week had emergency hernia surgery. He had seven points. It's  safe to assume this will be his last draw for quality archery bulls unless he lucky. For medical reasons, the Department of Fish and wildlife has no way of passing the tags to another hunter does it? I would just assume have him keep his points for next year and give it to another guy who wants it. What's your opinion?even for medical reasons that's not possible is it?  And no I'm not talking about giving it to anyone he knows. Just put it in the pool again?!?
I feel bad he finally drew and it's under these curcumstances.
 

[300rum]

Maybe he an get a disabled waiver and hunt from the truck?

[washelkhunter]

Bummer. No luck like bad luck eh.

[Brandobando]

If he can get a disabled permit I believe you could take the animal for him? Just something to look into.

[Bob33]

"I made a mistake".

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-28-291


"   H. If an applicant makes a mistake, applies for the wrong hunt, and is successfully drawn, the special hunting season permit can be returned to the department of fish and wildlife Olympia headquarters before the opening day of the special hunting season. The applicant's points will be restored to the level prior to the permit drawing"

[carpsniperg2]

It has to be a permanent disability to get the permit. Not sure if he would qualify for it or not in this case. If he does he will be able to hunt from the road "with restriction" and he can also have a companion hunter hunt for him "with restrictions".

[Fullabull]

I believe he can retain his points whe not able to hunt due to medical reasons. Just call them and ask about it.

let us know what they tell you...

[Fullabull]

"If you were selected for a special permit in
error or if you are not able to participate in
the hunt due to illness or deployment, you
can contact the Wildlife Program at (360)
902-2515 to request having your points
restored."

The above line is from the regs....

[smartazz171]

Hey thanks for all the great info!  He's going to the doctor tomorrow so we'll see. I don't want to hunt for him I want him to get his first big bull. He's only killed spikes

[krapmit]

Go talk to his doctor and tell him the situation. With doctor's approval, which I'm sure will be no problem he can get a disabled hunting permit.  You can actually drive him into the woods and as long as he is within a quarter mile of your or so, you can go off and shoot his animal for him. 

I took a disabled hunter who was half blind and wheel chair bound hunting for deer in the muzzle season.  I was able to leave him in the ground blind and chase after a buck a couple hundred yards away and legally shoot it for him. We didn't tag out but it was a rewarding experience, and the guy had the time of his life.  Got him in front of 20+ deer and a big 6x bull elk.

[D-Rock425]

I have a friend that drew that exact tag last year as was able to return it due to cancer treatment.   He was able to get his points back too.

[coachcw]

Get the paper work from the game dept and take it to the doc , that saves a trip.

[BULLBLASTER]

Maybe he could qualify for a crossbow permit.  I really hope it works out for him! It would suck if he gave the tag back and never drew again. I would try and make the most of it.

[Curly]

The elk hunt is quite a ways off.  Why doesn't he just keep the permit and plan to hunt from the road?  Won't he be healed-up enough by then to ride around in the truck?

[smartazz171]

The elk hunt is quite a ways off.  Why doesn't he just keep the permit and plan to hunt from the road?  Won't he be healed-up enough by then to ride around in the truck?

Yeah he will I'm mOre worried about his ability to pull a bow back. He had a Small football sized hurnia around his lung (which i didn't know was possible) I drew this tag 2 years ago and got a 6x6 and know the area well. I never thought about crossbow, I could cock it back for him. Prob is we don't have a xbow

[gasman]

check the regs, but I dont believe something like that will qualify him for Disability.

With that said, if he is unable to maneuver natural terrain with out the aid of a prosthesis, like cane or crutch, then he would probably qualify 


A buddy of mine's dad was able to get a disabled hunters placard when he was going through kemo treatment. He was unable to walk with out the aid of a cane or walking stick of some sort.

[hunterofelk]

Maybe if you contact/hire Ruggedclassoutfitters they can increase his odds of killing one.

[Naches Sportsman]

I know this is bittersweet but my father who is 74 years old drew for peaches ridge archery tag but last week had emergency hernia surgery. He had seven points. It's  safe to assume this will be his last draw for quality archery bulls unless he lucky. For medical reasons, the Department of Fish and wildlife has no way of passing the tags to another hunter does it? I would just assume have him keep his points for next year and give it to another guy who wants it. What's your opinion?even for medical reasons that's not possible is it?  And no I'm not talking about giving it to anyone he knows. Just put it in the pool again?!?
I feel bad he finally drew and it's under these curcumstances.
 

Usually If you get a note from the doctor, wdfw will reinstate the points. My neighbor had emergency open heart surgery in 2010 and had the bethel bull tag which wdfw was really really nice and gave back his points for the elk tag.

[MichaelJ]

I drew this tag back in '07 and got in a motorcycle wreck August 8th...  I looked into the crossbow disability permit thing and what I found out was if I got a doctors approval, I could get the disabled crossbow permit.  The only problem was it would opt me out of hunting with regular archery gear ever again.  Sounds like a crossbow for the old man wouldn't be a bad idea since he is getting up there in age anyways.  Not sure if this is still the regulation right now but it was 5 years ago!

Mike

[krapmit]

Definitely go with cross bow. It's easy as pie to get a disabled permit and permit to hunt with cross bow.  My dad has had a couple shoulder operations and couldn't pull back his bow anymore, and my grandpa is in his late 70' s and he got his cross bow permit as well. I would definitely go to the doc asap and look for a crossbow.  Its honestly a lot more ethical for an elderly or older person to use a cross bow. Just because you get old and can't hold your bow back doesn't mean you should have to quit doing what you love! 

I hope he gets the permit and gets a dandy! good luck to him and you.

[smartazz171]

Thanks guys on all the info. Mike, I hadn't thought about the disability permit being permanent. Thanks for that tid bit. I'll post back what the doc says tomorrow. X bow doesn't sound like a bad idea but I just bought him a diamond razor edge ( you know the youth now that adjusts 20 to 60lbs?) two years ago. But hey it may need to happen.

[smartazz171]

Alright here's an update., the doctor said he can start pulling back his bow in aug again. He can start walking now as long as he doesn't Over due it.  He's a good shot so i hope hes accurate like last year but still were cutting it close.

I know a lot of you guys hunted with your dads and still do, but my dads 74 and I know he won't have many more seasOns of rutting bulls. Being only 27 I hope he finally gets a branch antlered bull after 30 years of spikes.  Anyway thanks for all the great info you guys provided. Ill post what happens . It sucks when your teacher/ hunting partner gets older.

[MichaelJ]

Wish u all the luck man and even if u don't kill I hope you guys have a great time!  Its a good tag to have!

Mike

[Fullabull]

I know what you mean, my dad is 73 this year and I'm trying to get him his first branch bull with a bow. Been making him work out so he can put in a few miles a day hunting. The unit we hunt here on the wet side is getting more and more crowded making it harder to get away from them but I don't want to try some place new because it will take to long to learn.

Good luck to you and your dad, I hope he gets a good chance... If your not already, get good at calling. It can make a huge difference