hunter safety question

[stalker1]

Hello all, Long time reader of the forum and first time post. I have 2 Handi's. One is a .243 standard barrel and the other is a .223 Ultra w/ choate stock set. Both shoot great (sub MOA) and are a lot of fun. My question concerns my 13yr old son. He is mildly mentally handicapped with some learning disabilities (reading, math) but can shoot as well as someone with much more experience. (his best 3 shot group from the Ultra printed under 1/2" @ 100yds and @ 1" with the .243) I would like to start him Deer and Coyote hunting instead of just going along with me. He understands shooting safety very well and practices it whenever we are at the range or in the field. I am concerned about his ability to take the written portion of the hunter safety course here in Nebraska. Do any of you have any suggestions as to what I should ask the Game and Parks people about getting him trained and certified using different methods?

Thanks

[darat100]

Stalker

I have to be completely honest.  I am by no means a judgemental person, but this is a sport in which you don't get a second chance if you make the wrong mistake.  You can't take a bullet back.  In my mind, mentally handicapped means that in a shoot or don't shoot situation, you might not make the perfect decision.  Lots of fully capable individuals can't handle that responsibility.  I am sure someone will tell me what an awful person I am, but I think we all have to take responsibility for our own actions.  Being able to shoot is one thing, making good decisions about background and shooting light, etc is completely different.  Take him hunting as often as you can.  Everyone who went hunting with their dad knows how wonderful it is and what great memories are there, but stay with him, enjoy the experience together, and be safe. 

My opinion, take it for what it is worth.

[FLNT4EVR]

Stalker, I am a Hunter Safety instructor here in N Y. If someone with a learning disability or physical handicap wishes to take the course and get their hunting liscense we are required to make any reasonable accomodations to give them the chance to do so. We as a matter of course will even sit down with the person and read the test  questions to them . I would defenitely contact the Nebraska  authorities and see if this policy exists there also.A lot as changed since the Americans with Disabilities act took  affect.

[Escalante]

Stalker1.
I salute you on your endavor(sp). My grandson has a learning disability. (mild)
He attended and passed Az. Hunters Safey course. The instructors helped him
as much as possible. His mother and father took the course with him and thius helped
a lot as they could discuss what they had learned in class. Long story short. He got his
first big game animal this year. An elk.
Hope the state instructors are as good there as they are here. I am sure they are though.
Regards. Rich.

[MSP Ret]

I have been involved as an instructor with The Massachusetts Hunter Safety Program for over 15 years and am also a certified Firearms instructor in the state. If a person with a learning disability or one who has a difficult time understanding written questions takes our Hunter Safety course there are provisions for the test to be given verbally to help the student with the disability. The student still must pass the test as would any other student, however accomodations can be made for the disability. I am fairly sure if you approach your state's Hunter Safety Program you will find a similar situation exists in your state. I highly recommend you take the course with your son, it will be great for you and he both and you could study and spend quality time together. Best of luck to you and your son, and congratulations on being a great father!!!....<><....

[stalker1]

Thanks for the input so far. I am listening to all of it because it will help me make a more informed decision about what is the best way to go. This is by far the best forum on the net for info and just plain fun reading from all the true handiholics, whether we own 1 or 2 or 30 plus.

Thanks again

[joshco84]

i am 21 years old and had never really thought about this untill now.  i have three friends that are mentally handicapped. i am twenty one and graduated in 2003. one of them was in my class, but all three are about a year older than me.  all three of these people are not "stupid" by any means.  james, brian, and adam are all three barely able to read, write or do math, but i would prefer to have them holding guns around me as i would other people for one reason.  all three are not "retarded" ( i hate to use that term and try not too, just right now it is needed).  all three are a little past slow, but one thing is common of all three, which i find amazing.  all are actually oriented towards details more than i am they all have a special routine and whenevery they do a particular task the have an exact way to go about it if they have done it before.  if they havnt they pay attention and watch very closely, and if they even have to ask the second time, they are closer to the correct practices than you and i are. it is absolutely amazing. sorry just after helping these guys in high school and knowing them so well as friends, i am astonished.  they never seem to suprise me as often as i spell words and help with math equations (even four or five years later)