Blind Lil' Hunter

[creekbear]

First of THANK YOU for setting this forum up,second sorry it took me so long to find it. I am the father of a 6 year old partially blind hunter. Lance was diagnosed at 5months with a condition called optic nerve hypoplasia which in layman terms is his optic nerves did not develop and there is no cure or treatment. This has not stopped this kid from doing anything ,people who see him their first instinct is to feel sorry for him,that is until they see him on his tire swing swinging 30 feet in the air hollering higher higher or on the back of my motorcycle going 60 screaming faster faster. Nothing seems to stop this kid from doing what he wants to do. I was raised hunting & fishing and i want to pass these traditions on to my son. One of Henry Arms Co. Reps saw Lance at the local gun store and asked a few questions about him ,no big deal right? Just a curious individual  ? Well 3 days later  we got a call to come to the gun store , Lance had recieved a Henry mini-bolt and a letter from the President of Henry Arms Anthony Impertio.  It is a work in progress but since then I think we have shot about every box of 22 shorts in our town. It wont be long we are gonna switch to 22 lr ,but at this time his hearing wont allow that. I dont know how many other parents out there are in a similiar situation but I hope that none of them give up on passing along the great traditions of our forefathers to the generations of the future. This goes to adults as well it is never to late to get involved dont allow a physical inconvenience ( i hate the word disability)  to stop you from enjoying your heritage . I will be more than happy to help keep this forum going , only drawback is that I work on towboats and I am out of town 2 weeks at a time . If anyone knows of any hunters outdoorsmen that might ahve some tips or tricks for me and my son please let me know. I am currently looking for a optic device of some sort that will allow us to work as a team but also as seperate individuals. Currently we work with me helping him hold the rifle and use my eyes to sight and give him the ok on the trigger pull ,but i want to give him more freedom. Thanks in advance for any help.

                                                                                     Thanks, CreekBear and Cub

[Graybeard]

Your comment that his hearing won't take it makes me think you're not using or I guess I should say having him use hearing protection. If that is the case IMMEDIATELY get him some hearing protection. Find muffs that will fit or ear plugs but do not let him shoot without hearing protection. Too many of us old farts here who began shooting before ear protection was even available are now paying the price. Don't let your son follow us down that path to near deafness in addition to his current challenge.

[creekbear]

Believe  me we stress the importance of hearing protection not only due to his lack of eyesight ,but his good ole'dad once thought he was superman too and working around and between 2 20 cylander EMD putting out 5600 HP has taken its toll on my hearing as well as a life of shooting . Its just that his lack of eyesight presents more challenges than a sighted person thinks not only is his hearing extremely sensitive , certain sounds seem to cause him pain or at least infuriate him ,i.e.the sound of ice cubes in a glass will just give him fits. Also thanks for the wonderful sight you have here i have only recently found this place and have yet to really delve into the wealth of knowledge. Rest assured you have'nt heard the last of me.


                                                               

[Graybeard]

I know what ya mean about those sounds that seem to just run a person up a wall. For me chalk on a chalkboard can do it. For my wife it's the sound of two metal untensils like a knife and fork rubbing together.

Why not try some of the electronic muffs for your son. They allow hearing of normal sounds and yet shut down the loud sound of gunfire.

[Gun Runner]

creekbear, not knowing how far or well he can see. might I make a suggestion. Several years ago saw a program on T.V. of blind people or those with very limited sight were using the sound of a bell to put them on target. I dont remember the distance, but it was an indoor range. Like I said not knowing his sight range this is just a thought from an old hard of hearing, bi-focal wearing shooter.

Gun Runner

[jgalar]

Also a laser sight may work. He may not be able to see it but you can and then coach him on target.

[Skunk]

Creekbear, thank you for the excellent post.

I've seen adaptations for people with partial blindness where they mount a computer monitor (small screen) to the scope and the picture becomes much bigger. Not sure if that would help in your little guy's case, but here is a link:

http://www.riflevision.com/RifleVisionIndex.htm

Skunk

[zing]

I have sons that are legally blind and I can tell you that the laser is a good idea. You may also want to consider one of the lighted reticle scopes. They are inexpensive to experiment with.

Good luck

zing

[zing]

One other thought would be to try cci cb longs or shorts if you can find them. Walmart used to carry them around here and I see them at the gun shows for about $6.50 for a box of 100. They will kill squirrels.

Out of my bolt 22, they are no louder than a pellet gun!

zing

[creekbear]

Thanks for all the ideas fella's , been kinda kik'en around the laser idea but have yet to put it into action. The illuminated reticle idea may be a bit advanced just yet not really sure how much vision Lance really has seems to come and go depending on lots of factors. i Will most definately look into the pc /scope combo, me and friend had already been playing with a scope webcam cobo similiar to what you are talking about. Will keep you posted on results . Thanks Again!

                                             

[Squib]

can you perhaps put a series of bells out to 100yds, all barely clearing the ground (to avoid wind interference) and on strings so you can pull/jiggle them to get him accustomed to "ranging" the sound?  then when you whisper a certain range to him he gets it.  put all the bells about two feet apart laterally, and 10yds apart depth/distance in the field of fire.  it wouldn't take a big field at all, most any with short grass or just cut crop fields right about this time of year.  10 bells, fishing line, and ten sticks or something to tie the bells and cords to. 

trigger control should be easy, since the kid REALLY has to feel it out and is good at that since it's his primary sense.  as for the lack of a sight picture I don't know how to get body index to do it, but you CAN get his index consistent and walk him in close at least.  I think that if you get him hitting a man sized target at 100yds with a .22lr consistently then you can get him to use a 20ga, and then take him hunting with that.  you could use a soft-loaded 45-70 handi-rifle to good effect too.

back him up for humane kills if he misses the kill zone.  I think he can get a deer at 100 with a LOT of practice, but cleanly is a lot to ask for someone that's focused on supreme precision by body index and blind range-finding.  if he gets a torso hit and it runs you pop it with a small to medium bore rifle and you have him check the holes by feel so he knows his shotgun slug sealed the deal and you just threw in some "insurance".  you love your kid so I think you can use that will to find a way. 

[Mohawk]

Have you had his hearing checked for ulta sensitivity? A blind co-worker has to have his telephone settings lowered due this same condition. It's like with autism. My son has food texture sensitivities and will gag on common foods. He has a daily class just working on new food introductions. There may be classes offered that can "coach" his hearing to a normal level.  Also, there is a chance he will grow out of it. My son was 8 before he could stand a bowling alley. He would cover his ears and run away. Now he loves to bowl.

[1871]

CREEKBEAR,

I can relate!! 

Check this out:

http://www.bushnell.com/products/scopes/riflescopes/videoscope/737000V/

Cheers '71