That is exactly what I mean. My left shoulder is seriously buggered up - too many accidents / breaks / dislocations over my life. I used to hunt a lot with my compound bow, but due to those injuries, today I cannot even draw it any more. Thought the stick & string hunting was over for good for me, quite distressing. Then a good buddy here in BC introduced me to a crossbow. Here, anyone can hunt with them during the regular archery season, something I got into with relish. Back in
The Game as it were.
It was actually on this forum that a few mentioned there was a possible route to doing the same in Alberta. Controversial topic here it seems, for many certainly voiced dismay or concern over doing this. Nonetheless, I decided to investigate. Fish & Wildlife provided the forms (probably the same you received) which I handed over to the
SawBones. Over a dozen X-rays followed, along with a lot of manual tests. Pretty much determined that yeah, that shoulder is right hooped, and no, it ain't going to get any better as long as I might live. So the forms were filled out and sent back to Fish & Wildlife stating that. Didn't much care for the "
Disabled" label, but whatever, the Permit was eventually approved. And I went on a hell of a fine hunt there last year, taking the nice buck pictured below at 66 yards with
my crossbow - in the regular archery season:
This year I re-applied for the crossbow permit even before the draws were conducted over there. F & W can issue the permit for one, or multiple years. Last year I received the single year version, and am hoping for the multiple year permit this year. Good likelihood as my SawBones indicated in exact wording that my shoulder will not be getting any "better" on it's own - ever.
Kind of figured I'd draw the muley rifle tag, but the moose was a bit of a pleasant surprise. Since we have the moose draw during the calling season, I've decided to do that and stay over to hunt the muley with the bow again. Sort of seems like a bit of a waste of a draw tag if I am successful in that pursuit. But I gotta admit, hunting them with the bow certainly is a LOT of Fun!!
So, I guess that rather long-winded reply is just may way of saying Yes to your questions. And to suggest you look into the possibilities with your Doc. Might be hope for you too to get back into the Stick & String Game after all...
Cheers,
Nog