Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharpedge
The “Cross-bow Licence” (often erroneously referred to as a handicapped permit) is frequently touted by those who believe one is readily obtainable from Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Fish and Wildlife Division. Apparently, those mistaken contributors also believe that this special licence provision should be enough to address the legitimate needs of anyone afflicted in a demonstrable way, such that conventional bows are beyond their confident physical ability.
Personally I see the Alberta Cross-bow Licence as being condescending, and virtually impossible to obtain. And I have serious doubts that it was ever drawn up with the true intent of accommodating anyone who has the slightest chance of participating in a meaningful way. The qualifying conditions are such that they can be perplexing to one’s family doctor, and should not require an applicant to seek expensive second opinion from a specialist either!
The Important Note to Physician on the application form reads as follows: “Please note that a license or permit of this kind in (sic) not issued for age-related or therapeutic reasons. Rather, these are issued to ameliorate certain conditions for applicants who meet the eligibility requirements set forth in the regulations.”
To be disallowed because of age and ‘age related reasons’ in this day and age is nothing short of defining intolerance. We are not protecting the public by such a denial; as in when an incapable senior has to surrender their motor vehicle operator licence! If hunting is not a sport, it is most definitely a bona fide and health promoting recreation, and one that some groups openly encourage if you meet “their” rules. I believe that any type of exclusive discrimination deserves being brought to the attention of the Canadian Human Rights Commission who might just ‘order a solution’.
But from what my research shows, this special Cross-bow Licence is being infrequently granted. An average of 241 such licenses per year were issued between 2000 and 2006 according to stats provided by the Hunting for Tomorrow Foundation. But the numbers vary from a high of 291 in 2001 to a low of 197 in 2006. The license issuing process is evidently inconsistent, possibly unfair, and apparently very much depends upon the mood or will of the signing F&W Officer. Despite that our Canadian wildlife belongs to all of us, there are some who apparently believe it belongs to them exclusively, and that “they” alone will dictate how it is killed and allocated.
Meanwhile, when an otherwise genuine applicant is refused a Cross-bow Licence that would allow them to stay in the game and play: What is being protected or saved by such a dismissive action?
Respectfully,
Sharpedge
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When I get old one day (maybe I'm there already) I'm going to bow out gracefully (I hope). I'm not going to whine and complain that younger, fitter people can run a marathon, draw a bow, climb a mountain or drive a car........when I can't do that anymore. I fully understand that I will age and that I may not be able to do any of these things. There is no intolerance or discrimination towards age here? You are not dis-allowed because of age? What is being said is, a handicap cannot be "he's old and can no longer draw a bow". Age is not part of the equation yet you contrive it to be so. You sound bitter. You believe it a right to hunt with a crossbow based on age? That can be called discrimination (or another social re-engineering scheme meant to appease a special interest group - namely the elderly).
Yes, I hope when the time comes, I bow out gracefully......and reach for my gun
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