Bill would allow legally blind Texans to hunt

Houston Chronicle & AP ^ | December 11, 2006

[Snickering Hound]

AUSTIN — A state lawmaker wants to make sure no Texan is left out when it comes to hunting, even if the hunter is legally blind.

Rep. Edmund Kuempel, a Seguin Republican, has filed a bill for the 2007 legislative session that would allow legally blind hunters to use a laser sight, or lighted pointing instrument. The devices are forbidden for sighted hunters.

Blind hunters would also have to have a sighted hunter along with them, but they could hunt any game that sighted people can hunt in the same seasons and using the same weapons.

"This opens up the fun of hunting to additional people, and I think that's great," Kuempel said.

Visually impaired people are able to shoot with the aid of a sighted person, he said.

"I've seen this on TV before, when they're taking target practice," Kuempel said. "When they aim the gun the guide tells them, aim two inches higher or two inches lower and you're on the target, and you're off and running."

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which regulates hunting in Texas, currently does not have a definition of what constitutes a legally blind hunter. Kuempel's bill would give the agency until Jan. 1, 2008, to come up with a definition so that the law could be enforced.

The hunter would have to carry proof that he or she is legally blind.

Kuempel's bill would amend the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code.

Under existing law, the use of laser sights, spotlights and headlights is strictly prohibited in all Texas hunting.

The Texas Legislature convenes Jan. 9 for its 140-day session. Lawmakers have been busy since November filing proposed legislation on an array of subjects. The Legislature meets every two years in regular session.

[Buck W.]

Give a blind person a gun, then spin 'em around a few times like "pin the tail on the donkey"!

[wallcrawlr]

I dont have a problem with it...when people get beyond all the jokes and puns...ill bet less people are killed by blind hunters than sighted ones

if you want to reduce hunting accidents...stop drinking

[NRA1995]

"When they aim the gun the guide tells them, aim two inches higher or two inches lower and you're on the target, and you're off and running."

Uhhhhhhh.....the minute the blind guy's hand reaches toward the trigger, *I'm* off and running!

[hadrian]

They're going to use what to hunt with?

[Beagle8U]

No, lol. They hunt during regular hunting hours and they use laser sights that the spotter can see on the target.

They only shoot after the sighted spotter directs them on target and says shoot.

Very very few would ever wish to try it and I see no problem making it legal. There is no danger to anyone and little danger to the deer they may hunt.

( The deer has to have a death wish to stay still long enough for a shot)

[absolootezer0]

eh.. forget front site. i like my red dot.
i like one shot kills. :)

[yankeedame]

[marvlus]

How would a laser beam help if the blind person can't see what he's aiming for?

[marvlus]

Have our legislators run out of common sense laws, and feel now they can be creative and stupid? Sheesh!!

[Beagle8U]

"How would a laser beam help if the blind person can't see what he's aiming for?"

If you read the laws they all say that a person that can see must accompany them in the hunt.

It sounds silly to some but it might not be to a blind person that had someone care enough to spend the time and effort to help them give it a try?

Even if they can't see what is going on, someone is there to tell them. They will be just as excited as the guy that shouts YOU GOT HIM!!

After all the effort they can feel the deer they shot, and when its butchered they can eat a steak they harvested themselves ( with a friend to help).

It may not seem like much, but how would that feel if you were blind and setting alone most of the time?

[cva66snipe]

I think many didn't read this part.

Blind hunters would also have to have a sighted hunter along with them, but they could hunt any game that sighted people can hunt in the same seasons and using the same weapons. "This opens up the fun of hunting to additional people, and I think that's great," Kuempel said. Visually impaired people are able to shoot with the aid of a sighted person, he said.

I don't see any harm in it and it sounds like a reasonable idea under those terms. A sighted hunter would be able to make certain they had a clear shot. More power to them.

[SmoothTalker]

"Coming next - Blind NASCAR Racing!"

The only race of any kind i've ever gone to was a dirt track race in Western NC. They had a "sack race" where the drivers had bags on their heads and the first one to made it around three times won!

[SmoothTalker]

We need to give 'em drivers licenses too. I mean why should they be left out of the fun of driving?

[Old_Mil]

The blind should be able to hunt with impunity, so long as they use blanks. After all, if they are going to pretend that they can see their target, the should be fine with pretending that they are shooting it.

[cva66snipe]

The blind should be able to hunt with impunity, so long as they use blanks. After all, if they are going to pretend that they can see their target, the should be fine with pretending that they are shooting it.

There are sports open to the blind such as golf. It would take every bit as much skill likely more to hunt blind than with sight. The technology would likely be an audio signal fed into an ear piece. Now the hard part? The hunter not being able to see finding the target. Even with a sighted shooter it would take considerable skill on the shooters part. IOW the animal would have a good advantage.

[napscoordinator]

Ya, but how much fun can that possibly be for the friend. I mean I guess they take turns? I guess it can work, but the blind guy does not even get to see what he killed? I guess eatting it after it is all over might be enjoyable I guess.

[wallcrawlr]

keep your day job

[discostu]

I'd bet most of the "blind" hunters that go for this aren't really blind but have odd problems that make their vision unmeasurable instead. I had a friend like that in jr high, without correction his eyes twitched constantly, he could still see OK without glasses but his vision couldn't be measured because of how his eyes behaved. So legally he was blind even though he could see fine, people like him will probably be the ones taking advantage of this law.

[Tinman]

Thank you both for the two most coherent replies on the entire thread.

I would like some of the jokers and critics to explain why someone, who may have hunted their entire life, should now be denied that pleasure because their eyesight is failing. Or, why someone, who may have been blind from birth, should not have the opportunity to participate.

Regards