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Disabled
Hunting Opportunities in Washington
Rory Calhoun, pictured below, is an avid hunter.
 Department
of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has come a long ways since 1985
when a hunter with a disability came to a Wildlife Commission
meeting and requested changes in the current laws, which
would allow hunters with disabilities to shoot from a motor
vehicle. After teaming up with department staff and other
hunters, some with disabilities, to form the “Citizens
Task Force for the Disabled”, they crafted legislation
that passed in 1987 allowing hunters with certain disabilities
to shoot from motor vehicles and have someone else retrieve
and shoot wounded animals on their behalf. Since then, other
Washington Administrative Codes (WACs) have been changed
and added to increase access to the program of “HUNTING”.
The definition of a “Disabled Hunter”
has changed over the years to include more types of disabilities,
including low vision or blindness and loss of use of upper
extremities.
The
definition for (veterans with disabilities) is its
own class. The definition for the reduced fee for (fishers
with disabilities) was passed by legislature many years
ago for the former Department of Fisheries and is not consistent
with hunting fees or the disabled hunter definition
created with the former Department of Wildlife. Most laws
for reduced fees and veterans were not addressed in the
creation of disability hunts and WAC rules. A consistent
definition of disability (without regard to how they became
disabled) is needed to reduce confusion.
Twelve
wheelchair accessible wildlife viewing and/or goose and
duck hunting blinds have been installed around the state
on private, state, and federal lands. Some can be reserved
in advance and require a key for the gate to access them.
Others are first come first served open to anyone hunting,
with hunter’s with disabilities having preference of
use over non-disabled hunters if they occupy them at least
one hour before shooting time.
A few
of them are portable and placed in the location before the
season. Two of the three on federal lands require a fee
and advanced reservations. An updated list
of blinds with driving directions is available on line
on the WDFW website. The older blue brochures titled “Regional
Maps of Accessible Wildlife Recreation Waterfowl Viewing
and Hunting Blinds” lists most of the blinds and is
available from any WDFW office.
Special
permit hunt drawings and some damage control hunts by permit
or game management unit rules have expanded opportunities
for all hunters including those with disabilities. For example,
whitetail does may be taken in specific Game Management Units
(GMUs) during the modern firearm general season by hunters
with a Disabled Hunter Permit (DHP) using their regular
deer tag. New for this year, in response to damage complaints
in some eastern Washington GMUs, is an “any“ mule
deer opportunity for hunters with a DHP. Read about these
in the 2001 Big Game
Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet.
Other
opportunities are available for hunters with a DHP
on the “Private Lands Wildlife Management Areas”
and some military bases offer hunters with disabilities
some opportunities.
Special
drawing permits are available to all hunters for elk hunts
in some GMUs. Some of the special drawing permit hunts in
western Washington are offered exclusively to hunters with
disabilities having a disabled hunter permit.
Another
way of expanding opportunities for DHP hunters is
the drive-in road access program called “Road
Access Entry Program.” This program allows hunters
with a DHP and with a Road Access Entry Permit to
drive in a closed motor vehicle area or behind specific
locked gates where other hunters can only walk in, ride
a bike, or use a horse. In the last two years WDFW has coordinated
a statewide effort to consolidate the program and make it
easier for hunters with a DHP to apply and receive
information. Land managers participating in the program
include: commercial timberland managers, federal land managers,
and the Departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife.
Allowing limited numbers of hunters with disabilities to
drive on some road systems while balancing the need for
wildlife and habitat protection, will help provide an equal
opportunity for hunters unable to walk into these areas.
WAC
232-12-828 describes the full definition of the disabled
hunter law and who qualifies for a Disabled Hunter Permit.
Once qualified for the permit, it allows the hunter with
the disability to apply for “disabled only hunts”
and the “road access entry program” drawing. The
road access entry drawing is only for a chance to obtain
access into a road area open only to walk-in hunters. Hunters
must follow all applicable hunting rules and regulations
while in the area.
During
the 2001 legislative session, ESHB
1655 passed establishing an advisory committee to the
Fish and Wildlife Commission consisting of citizens with
disabilities interested in hunting and fishing issues. Their
purpose is to help advise the Fish and Wildlife Commission
when considering disability related issues or requests from
persons with disabilities for accommodations to department
programs and services.
The
Department formed an internal ADA committee in January 2000.
The WDFW ADA Coordinator chairs the newly formed ADA committee
membership consisting of staff from all programs, regions,
a member of the DNR Recreation Public Use Section, and the
ADA Recreation Accessibility Specialist from the Interagency
Committee for Outdoor Recreation. This committee serves
the public, as well as Department staff, by providing assistance
on issues and policies that might impact a person with a
disability when using or benefiting from a service or program.
It also considers all ADA related suggestions, requests,
or complaints concerning facilities, sites, and programs.
For
more information or to get involved in hunting related activities
for persons with disabilities call the WDFW ADA Coordinator
at 360-902-2349.
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