I brought this to officers' attention in Pocatello as I am a program instructor for both firearm and Bowhunter education. I also have a crossbow permit for bow season due to severe back and shoulder disabilities. The book says that you cannot take a grouse with a crossbow.... Period. It would seem to me (and agreed to also by officers in the southeast region) that that should read "unless hunter is in legal possession of a disabilty crossbow permit." As I only bowhunt, and usually take my one or two grouse a year during archery season, how do we have that rule reworded to include those of us whom are carrying a crossbow instead of a bow due to disability status? If there is a very good reason why this is not to be, please pass it along so I can answer students questions about this matter. Thanks so much!
Robert "Radar" Orth
Answer:
This is a question that comes up now and then and it has been answered in the past at this web site. You are correct in that you cannot use a crossbow to take upland game birds. The disabled archery permit is specifically for crossbow use in an archery only season specifically for big game. There is no archery only seasons for upland game birds. The disabled archery provisions speak directly to the establishment of special archery only seasons in order to allow the use of a crossbow.
Answered on:
Tuesday, January 20, 2015 - 2:50 PM MST