This article is interesting... Texas is concidering allowing blind hunters to use a laser site for hunting. It would allow a spotter to give the shooter corrections and tell him when to fire. Fairly interesting concept IMO.

www.breitbart.com/news...S1100.html


-DallanC

Not really...For the same reason I am against wheelchairs out in the wild.

Yeah, I don't mean to be rude or anything but I'm kind of on side with Bushy on this one. Interesting concept yes, but not necessarily a good idea. Those blind hunters going to start gutting and cleaning their kills or I guess that would be up to the spotter huh? Otherwise, they're going to have to start making allowances for hunters without thumbs, too. Their trip to and from the hunt could be a little dangerous too, no?

And if something happens to the spotter or the wheelchair pusher???

You "grinches" make it sound like blind hunting or wheelchair hunting isnt happening now... it is. The current method for blind people is a video camera that hooks to the scope and outputs to a monitor the "spotter" can see and tell the adjustments. Due to the length of time it would take to get someone onto a target, I'd bet this is much more safe than the average yahoo hunter out shooting bullets at noises in the woods.

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And if something happens to the spotter or the wheelchair pusher???

Same thing that happens to people that hunt alone and something happens. Most of the groups in my state that take disabled people out usually have a small army to do so. I've seen some fantastic hunting stories with disabled people being able to realize a dream of hunting.

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Those blind hunters going to start gutting and cleaning their kills or I guess that would be up to the spotter huh?

It is left up to the spotter... me. I have to clean and gut everything my wife kills. She'll hunt deer, elk, antelope... whatever and have fun doing it but its my job to clean it, LOL.


-DallanC

Although we/some may not be able/willing to take a disabled person hunting, I agree with Dallan. What's wrong with fulfilling their hunting dreams? I know that, if the shoe was on the other foot, I would be pleased if someone took me hunting. Just my .02

Hey if it's working, more power to them. Just a few safety concerns on this end. I'm hearing that song now..you're a mean one Mr Grinch....

Sorry guys but you obviously do not know any or many disabled hunters. I know a couple of old Marines who were land mine victims in Vietnam. It is something to watch them work and the determination they show just to be able to shoot. They both are without legs and one has only one arm. They both shoot contenders.

My advise is not to get in the way of their ATV versions of an electric wheelchair. You will end up with all terain tracks on your butt. Yep, the ATV version is 4 wheel drive, will cross logs and go through mud.

If a bling person wants to shoot and finds a buddy to spot for him, hey, go for it.

Hat is off and waving to our disabled hunters and shooter.
Ed

"ATV versions of an electric chair" I don't want paved roads for wheel chairs motorized on not in my forests (church)!!! I'm sorry. I didn't cause them their problems. The next thing you will hear is we need wheel chair access in our National forest. NO! NO! NO!!

Tracker...You think you're "Mr. Grinch"...

Bushmaster wrote:

"ATV versions of an electric chair" ...

Bushmaster wrote:

I don't want paved roads for wheel chairs motorized on not in my forests (church)!!! I'm sorry. The next thing you will here is we need wheel chair access in our National forest. NO! NO! NO!! Tracker...You think you're "Mr. Grinch"...

I agree with you there Bushy, but I have no problem with them hunting off of an ATV.

so to stray from the subject briefly, Bushy...nice to know we belong to the same church

Bushmaster wrote:

Tracker...You think you're "Mr. Grinch"...

Nope, he's maybe a lot of things but not "Mr Grinch"

Hm, I am in a bit of a quandry with this one. I agree with points from each and every one of you, but then again, I also disagree on some points.

Bushmaster wrote:

Not really...For the same reason I am against wheelchairs out in the wild.

I'm with Bushy here...for not for having wheelchairs in the wild.....although;

Swampfox wrote:

Sorry guys but you obviously do not know any or many disabled hunters. I know a couple of old Marines who were land mine victims in Vietnam. It is something to watch them work and the determination they show just to be able to shoot. They both are without legs and one has only one arm. They both shoot contenders.

I have no problem with this scenario. These guys are obviously quite competent, and as ex military they should be conversant and competent with firearms.

My only problem is if the carers of the disabled think that getting their charges out into the wild will be good for them and allow them to get more enjoyment out of life. I'm sorry, but I don't think that the "wild" is for these people. Thats what places like Central Park in NY are for.

1895ss wrote:

Although we/some may not be able/willing to take a disabled person hunting, I agree with Dallan. What's wrong with fulfilling their hunting dreams? I know that, if the shoe was on the other foot, I would be pleased if someone took me hunting.

Bushmaster wrote:

And if something happens to the spotter or the wheelchair pusher???

I agree with both of the above sentiments...although a disabled "hunter" MUST be able to help himself if the need arises.

Bushmaster wrote:

"ATV versions of an electric chair" I don't want paved roads for wheel chairs motorized on not in my forests (church)!!! I'm sorry. I didn't cause them their problems. The next thing you will hear is we need wheel chair access in our National forest. NO! NO! NO!!

I have to agree with Bushy here. Once it becomes the norm for handicapped access then hunting may well become "too dangerous" in "this place" because of the easy access by the handicapped.

DallanC wrote:

This article is interesting... Fairly interesting concept IMO.

As Dallan says...a fairly interesting concept. I have a cousin who was born blind and their isn't much he cannot do, and with the advances being made with correcting loss of the senses (no, not CRS !!! ) who knows where it will end.

My eldest daughter spent some time helping with an organisation here in Australia called Riding for the Disabled. With the appropriate horse these kids, and in some cases adults, had a great time. It was magnificent watching the look on their faces as they realised that they were actually riding a horse...albeit with assistance...which brings me back to Bushy's comment..."What happens if..???"

I am not comfortable with the idea of SEVERELY disabled people, meaning the mentally disabled, or the blind, handling firearms, although Swampy's mates are obviously quite capable. Additionally, if anybody is going to use a vehicle of any sort in the scrub they must be considerate of others who may already be there or who will come after them, ie noise, habitat damage etc.

Thats my quandry.....I'm all for helping the disabled lead a better life....but there are some things they are not capable of doing safely...even with assistance. Imagine the outcry if someone was badly injured, or killed, by a disabled hunter....the media would only report, "a hunter did something terrible"....more ammunition for the antis.

Cheers, Vince

Vince, I guess I was thinking more about the disabled as in loss of/use of legs/ arms and not so much the blind. The question is I really don't know how far into the wilderness a blind person would really want to go anyway!!! I guess what I'm saying is, other then the blind, why not? Maybe a canned (fenced in) hunt would be OK for the blind! But like I said I have no problem with someone that does not, for example have use of his or her legs, using an ATV to get back into the bush, with help from a friend, to go hunting.

Yep, 1895ss....I'm not going to argue with those sentiments.

As for the blind hunting.....and this is tempered with the views of a sighted person...if only one eyed at times ....a big part of hunting is the stalk, checking spore, identifying the signs of your quarry's habits and passing, all of thes things are a very important part of the hunt "process" and apart from the sense of smell, a blind person cannot participate here. I think that it would be an anti-climax to have your mate do all of this for you then put you on target so you can pull the trigger.

The shooting aspect of this can be fullfilled on the range with the same result....satisfaction at having fired the rifle/pistol/shotgun.

Well, I think its time to "pull my head in".

Cheers, Vince