New Minimum Crossbow Age

[Cheesehead]

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress will put forth the proposition of changing the crossbow age to 65 from 55. I think it is a great idea. Help the old fellers out.

Cheese

[j3cub]

I am hoping the new age 55 rule passes, but what I am very interested in hearing are the personal experiences of hunters who have physical issues which may/may not been sufficient enough to get a handicapped permit.  Please let me know how much you had to spend to get a doctors exam, tests, etc.  I would like to know what condition you have, ie. back problem, neck injury, eye sight problem, pain only, pain related to use, etc. ( If you know the medical term please state).  If you had surgery (type of surgery) or not. Did the surgery work, if so how much and did you have a full recovery.  We would also like to hear from those who for any reason have limited physical abilities, or strength who fall into a category where they do not feel they can use a vertical bow, but who do not fall into any of the above conditions.

My reasons for asking is because I am the president of the Wisconsin Crossbow Federation and I am hearing from many about the unfairness of the medical exam and how some are rejected because the exam does not take into account many illness, injuries, or diseases can effect one's ability to shoot a vertical bow.  We would like everyone to be able to use a crossbow if they wish with out an age or medical permit exemption, but until such time as the law is changed we want to represent those who feel they should be able to get an exemption but can't. We feel that no person should have to experience pain to enjoy archery.  If you do not want to talk about your medical condition on an open forum contact me by private message or you can write:  Wisconsin Crossbow Federation, P.O. Box 1033, Grafton, WI 53024 

[tjrod]

My first crossbow permit cast me $350, only because the insurance company would not cover the exams that the DNR requested.  That permit was good for five years.  The paper work for the second permit was filled out by my pain management Dr. at no charge.  I think the second one is good for eight years and I am now 53, so hopefully I will not need another special permit if they pass the 55 law. 

[steve]

I hope they change the law for crossbows to 55.

[jcn59]

I stopped buying  archery licenses because of back problems that made it impossible to practice enough to get skilled enough to hunt deer.  I wasn't eligible for a crossbow permit.  I'm 65 now & have a crossbow & bought  an archery license but I'm so far out of the sport now that I probably won't continue.