Creating and Supporting Accessible Hunting Opportunities
Conservation ¨Wildlife
Management ¨
Accessibility
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April
1, 2001 Dear
Fellow Challenged Sportsman Well
our favorite time of year, hunting season, will be here before you know it.
Have you been thinking about what tags you are putting in for this year?
What areas you have the best chance to find game in an area accessible to
you? Totaled up your bonus points?
So have we. Some of us have
been talking among ourselves about what changes we might like to see or what
information would be helpful to us as challenged hunters.
As a result we have come up with an idea to form an association of
hunters who are challenged by mobility impairments.
First
of all, we are not asking for money.
What we are attempting to do is identify as many Arizona
hunters with disabilities as we can. Then
through this network determine what these hunters need to participate in their
favorite recreational activity, hunting. Also,
to provide a means for the exchange of information important to those of us with
mobility impairments. Would you
like to know about any hunts or hunt areas that are particularly accessible to
individuals like us? What about learning about adaptive equipment that may be
useful in making your hunt outing more enjoyable?
How about the chance to talk with another hunter with similar issues
about how they adapt to the field? Would
you like to see a web page available that addresses disabled hunter’s issues
and questions? A
few of us have gotten together and are forming the Arizona Challenged Sportsmen
association. There are no dues or
membership fees. We will be
soliciting support from various organizations and individual who what to see
more access for hunters with disabilities.
To qualify for membership you need to be eligible for a C.H.A.M.P. or
Crossbow Permit or an individual who assists or would like to assist a
challenged hunter in the field. As
a member you will be asked periodically for input on issues or new programs
relevant to our needs. Much like
the enclosed questionnaire, which will become part of a demographic database to
be used when developing position papers on issues impacting our members.
There will be clinics offered on many subjects such as wildlife
management, access in the field, disability related regulations and their
impact, or not, on our ability to participate in our sport.
A web page is being designed to pass on information via the Internet. Some
of our goals and objectives include: v
To
preserve accessible hunting opportunities that exist in Arizona v
To
create new accessible hunting opportunities in Arizona for hunters with severe
mobility impairments. v
To
work with organizations and landowners to improve wildlife habitat in areas open
to hunters with disabilities. v
To
work toward special seasons and/or hunting areas for mobility impaired hunters. v
To
obtain and make available to mobility impaired hunters adapted equipment to
improve the hunting experience and to enable them to participate on a more equal
level. v
To
provide seminars, newsletter articles, web site links and other resources to
inform hunters with disabilities of techniques, regulations and opportunities
available to them. v
To
create a buddy system to connect non-disabled and disabled hunters.
v
To
serve as a liaison between disabled hunters and the Game and Fish Commission and
Department Well
what do you think? If you are
interested in seeing hunting in Arizona becoming more accessible to hunters with
disabilities, fill out and send back the enclosed questionnaire.
If you include a self-addressed stamped envelope it will be used for the
next mailing and saving the association from having to find more funding to keep
you informed. Hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely; James
Prenovost
Guerry Dalrymple 5348
E. Grovers Ave. 20707
N. 67th Ave., Apt 163 Scottsdale,
AZ 85254
Glendale, AZ 85308 (602)
992-6649 (623)
434-8417 e-mail:
MACJNP@aol.com
e-mail: WlChrSport@aol.com |
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© Arizona Challenged Sportsmen, 2001. This website developed by and hosted by Arizona Outdoorsman Magazine (AZOD) http://www.AZOD.com as a public service to the Arizona Outdoorsman and women! |