11-14-2004, 05:43 PM
[size 2]PIERRE, S.D. -- Game, Fish and Parks has modified South Dakota’s disabled hunter permit to accommodate more hunters with a broader range of mobility-impairing disabilities. [/size]
[size 2]"These criteria will allow a wider range of hunters with qualifying physical disabilities to participate in the hunting experience," said GFP Program Assistant Steve Thompson. "The disabled hunter permit allows an individual to hunt and shoot at game species from a stationary motor vehicle."[/size]
[size 2]He added that the disabled hunter permit is not a license and there is no cost for it; however, the permittee must still obtain the required hunting license(s) for the desired species to be hunted. "The applicant’s physical disabilities must also be attested to by a licensed physician and approved by department staff," he said. [/size]
[size 2]Nonresident permits will be issued from the Pierre office and resident permits can be issued through any GFP Division of Wildlife regional office. [/size]
[size 2]To qualify for a disabled hunter permit, an individual must have at least one of the following physical disabilities:[/size] [ul] [li][size 2]Has lost one or both legs or who has temporarily or permanently lost the use of one or both legs, [/size][/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Requires a wheelchair for mobility,[/size] [/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Is physically unable to walk without the assistance of another person, prosthetic aid, brace, crutch, or other device that is intended to support or assist the person while walking,[/size] [/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Is on portable oxygen,[/size] [/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Is unable to walk a distance of more than 300 feet without assistance or rest due to arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition,[/size] [/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Has been diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder (such as muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis), [/size][/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Has been diagnosed with a Class III cardiac disease resulting in marked limitation of physical activity,[/size] [/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Has been diagnosed with a Class IV cardiac disease resulting in the inability to carry on any physical activity without discomfort,[/size] [/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Is restricted by lung disease to such a degree that the person’s forced expiratory volume in one second, when measured by a spirometer, is less than one liter; or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest.[/size] [/li][/ul]
[size 2]"The department receives numerous inquiries from people, who for a variety of health reasons, have difficulty walking distances, and who, in turn, request a disabled hunter permit," Thompson said. "Many of these callers have heard about this permit and mistakenly think the permit allows them to hunt with a motor vehicle, ATV or other off-road vehicle. This is untrue."[/size]
[size 2]For clarification purposes, Thompson explained that a disabled hunter permit does not authorize a disabled hunter to use any motor vehicle to chase, drive, pursue, rally, intercept or flush game animals. It simply allows them to remain seated in or on a stationary motor vehicle in order to provide a safe, stable shooting platform. Such a permit does allow a permittee to carry a loaded, uncased firearm on an ATV."[/size]
[size 2]The disabled hunter permit may be issued on a temporary basis or up to a four-year period, depending on the injury or disability. People who feel they may qualify for such a permit may contact their local conservation officer, regional office or the department's office in Pierre for more information and an application. Contact information for GFP offices can be found online at [/size][size 2][url "http://www.sdgfp.info/"][font "Arial"]www.sdgfp.info[/font][/url][/size][font "Arial"][size 2].[/size][/font]
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[size 2]"These criteria will allow a wider range of hunters with qualifying physical disabilities to participate in the hunting experience," said GFP Program Assistant Steve Thompson. "The disabled hunter permit allows an individual to hunt and shoot at game species from a stationary motor vehicle."[/size]
[size 2]He added that the disabled hunter permit is not a license and there is no cost for it; however, the permittee must still obtain the required hunting license(s) for the desired species to be hunted. "The applicant’s physical disabilities must also be attested to by a licensed physician and approved by department staff," he said. [/size]
[size 2]Nonresident permits will be issued from the Pierre office and resident permits can be issued through any GFP Division of Wildlife regional office. [/size]
[size 2]To qualify for a disabled hunter permit, an individual must have at least one of the following physical disabilities:[/size] [ul] [li][size 2]Has lost one or both legs or who has temporarily or permanently lost the use of one or both legs, [/size][/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Requires a wheelchair for mobility,[/size] [/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Is physically unable to walk without the assistance of another person, prosthetic aid, brace, crutch, or other device that is intended to support or assist the person while walking,[/size] [/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Is on portable oxygen,[/size] [/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Is unable to walk a distance of more than 300 feet without assistance or rest due to arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition,[/size] [/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Has been diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder (such as muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis), [/size][/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Has been diagnosed with a Class III cardiac disease resulting in marked limitation of physical activity,[/size] [/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Has been diagnosed with a Class IV cardiac disease resulting in the inability to carry on any physical activity without discomfort,[/size] [/li][/ul] [ul] [li][size 2]Is restricted by lung disease to such a degree that the person’s forced expiratory volume in one second, when measured by a spirometer, is less than one liter; or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest.[/size] [/li][/ul]
[size 2]"The department receives numerous inquiries from people, who for a variety of health reasons, have difficulty walking distances, and who, in turn, request a disabled hunter permit," Thompson said. "Many of these callers have heard about this permit and mistakenly think the permit allows them to hunt with a motor vehicle, ATV or other off-road vehicle. This is untrue."[/size]
[size 2]For clarification purposes, Thompson explained that a disabled hunter permit does not authorize a disabled hunter to use any motor vehicle to chase, drive, pursue, rally, intercept or flush game animals. It simply allows them to remain seated in or on a stationary motor vehicle in order to provide a safe, stable shooting platform. Such a permit does allow a permittee to carry a loaded, uncased firearm on an ATV."[/size]
[size 2]The disabled hunter permit may be issued on a temporary basis or up to a four-year period, depending on the injury or disability. People who feel they may qualify for such a permit may contact their local conservation officer, regional office or the department's office in Pierre for more information and an application. Contact information for GFP offices can be found online at [/size][size 2][url "http://www.sdgfp.info/"][font "Arial"]www.sdgfp.info[/font][/url][/size][font "Arial"][size 2].[/size][/font]
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