As part of the “Bowhunter by Fall” campaign, TPWD’s Community Archery program wants to improve access to the sport of bowhunting for all audiences. As part of the effort, we have asked you to fill out a short survey to help us understand our audience and their current barriers to bowhunting. It was common to see physical limitations listed as a barrier among users. With this supplemental edition of BBF for August, we hope to offer accommodations to overcome those barriers. Also, we encourage you to research groups and programs that help connect people with differing abilities to outdoor hobbies.  Contact our Accessibility Program or your regional Community Archery Program Specialist for additional guidance.

Many people are living with a disability, injury or have mobility limitations. Many of the noted barriers in the survey referenced limitations in strength, ability or mobility. This audiences will benefit from adaptations made to the equipment or access to the field to help find success in bowhunting. In this newsletter, we will cover some equipment, access opportunities and regulations that help make bowhunting more accessible. 

The draw weight of a compound bow is frequently adjustable and often includes let-off, making the pull of your bowstring easier after reaching a certain depth in your draw. The draw of a bow requires muscle strength that will be specific to your bow and your anatomy.

In Texas, there is not a minimum draw weight to be legal bowhunter. Other states do require a minimum draw weight, and this should be looked at before taking your bowhunting adventures out of state. It is frequently suggested that draw weight should be 30 pounds or more for hunting game animals, with increased success seen with increased draw weight. Increased draw weight allows for better penetration into the vital organs of your target through increased distances of your shot, the use of a heavier arrow and creates increased arrow speed in flight.

Currently available to bowhunters are equipment modifications, or different types of bows, that help make that draw easier or utilizing different muscle groups in the action. They include:

Crossbows: In 2009, the Texas Legislature made crossbow hunting legal for all audiences during archery only and general hunting seasons in Texas.  Check bowhunting360.com for Everything You Need to Know to get started,. For a greater explanation of three different ways to cock a crossbow, and how it helps increase accessibility. Watch this video.

If you see a crossbow in your future, check here for specifics on a few counties in Texas with differing regulations. 

Bow Draw Keep (AKA: Release Braces, Draw Locks, Draw Holds): Do you like the idea of an accommodation being made to lessen the effort required to draw and hold a bow with only a moment’s notice? Possibly you are not interested in a crossbow or do not want to give up your existing equipment. Try a release brace that mounts to traditional bow, either recurve or compound, and allows it to behave like a vertical crossbow. Some models provide for a foot stirrup to use as leverage for drawing your bow, allowing for different, and sometimes stronger, muscle groups to be used. Unlike a standard compound or recurve bow, a “bow draw keep” holds the bow at full draw, while the archer waits for their target to enter accurate shooting range. When ready, the archer activates a trigger to send the arrow. TPWD cannot endorse any specific brand of Bow Draw Keep, as there are a few to choose from, but we wanted to share with you a visual example. Check the video to see a version of the accessory in action. Then the shopping is up you!

In July’s edition of Bowhunter By Fall, it was suggested to utilize public hunting lands in Texas. Some of the public hunting lands do list disabled access and provide an icon in the map’s name. Whether this allows for ATV use, or provides for an access point with accommodations, will differ between locations. This will require additional time invested in scouting those public hunting lands before opening day, or a phone call to the contact information, if provided.

Find more information and FAQs about permit holders with disabilities here. Of special note is the section discussing the opportunity to hunt from a properly permitted parked vehicle or ATV that is not located on a designated public hunting road or parking area, on the public hunting lands.

Are you Interested in continued reading on adaptive accessiblity? Check out more conversation and resources from our partners at bowhunting360.  

We hope that we have helped you overcome a few of the common barriers to bowhunting. Remember too that many programs exist that assist adaptive users with getting into the field for the hunting hobby. Try your favorite search engine with a few keywords and begin to find further accommodations or assistance.

Remember that you can purchase your hunting license on-line! Fishing licenses too!

When you hear from us again in September we will attempt to catch the unanswered questions you may have. Until then, do some of your own homework with our partners at bowhunting360.com and put your hunting adventure on the calendar. Remember to spend time on the range and in the field. More scouting and practice improves your chances at a harvest!

Do you have a friend who you would like to share this with? Share this link with them, and we will catch them up to speed.