New
Mexico has a great program that allocates special seasons on antelope and elk
(by rifle) for people with disabilities.
These hunts can be guided or unguided and tags are issued to
non-residents by a lottery drawing. The
chance of getting an antelope tag as a non-resident is close to 100%, elk tags
in certain areas range from near 100% to about 50% depending upon the unit you
apply for. If you have a
disability and think you ever want to hunt elk or antelope during these
seasons, or want to hunt any other species in NM from a vehicle during their
regular seasons, you MUST have a NM
Mobility Impaired Certification Card.
This card is FREE, and lasts for the lifetime of the person it is
issued to. It takes several weeks
to get and involves a form that must be filled out by your doctor.
When I got my form filled out I just left it at the doctor’s office
and went back by and picked it up, with no charge involved.
To get a form mailed to you just call the NM Department of Game and
Fish at 505-476-8000 or 505-476-8016. If
you ever think there is a remote possibility that you want to hunt in this
state I would highly recommend that you go ahead and get your card today!
In the past we have already had situations where free or very low cost
hunts were offered just before the tag application deadlines, not giving folks
enough time to apply for a Mobility Impaired Certification Card if they
didn’t already have one. Here
are two great hunting opportunities:
ANTELOPE
HUNT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
All
American Outfitters is again offering hunters from our program an antelope
hunt at a special price. The hunt
will take place in the Gila National Forest during the special Mobility
Impaired Season for 3 days during the first part of August, 2002.
Only disabled hunters are allowed to rifle hunt antelope in the special areas
during this season. There will be
a limited number of slots available at the “BADF” price of $1,500 per
hunter. If hunters have to bring along an attendant they can do so for an
additional fee to cover lodging and food for that person.
Lodging, food, and a guided hunt are provided.
All American Outfitters will quarter and retrieve game too. Your tags
and licenses will cost you an additional $200.
We have sent 24 hunters to All American on this antelope hunt
over the years, with hunters having a 100% success ratio.
Several of the antelope taken among these hunters have come close
making the Boone and Crocket Record Books.
The others were very respectable bucks.
To apply for an antelope tag during the Mobility
Impaired Season you must already have your Mobility
Impaired Certification Card as explained above.
The deadline for applying for the tags is mid April, and remember it
takes several weeks to get your Mobility Impaired Certification Card as well.
For more information contact All American Outfitters at 505-533-6200.
I have attached some photos of bucks we took on this hunt last year.
ELK
HUNT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
All
American Outfitters is also offering a special price for people referred by
our program on an elk hunt offered during the Mobility Impaired Elk Season,
which involves 4 days of hunting the first part of October.
You must tell All American you are with BADF to get the special price
of $2,500. This cost includes the
hunt, lodging and food. Tags and
licenses are about $750. Attendants
can come along for an additional cost to cover their lodging and food.
All American has a 100% success rate on bulls for disabled hunters
during the special Mobility Impaired elk season.
There is about a 50% chance in drawing a tag.
If you do not draw a tag, most of your money is refunded by NM Game and
Fish. To apply for an elk tag
during the Mobility Impaired Season you
must already have your Mobility Impaired
Certification Card as explained above.
The deadline for applying for the tag is in April. For
more information contact All American Outfitters at 505-533-6200.
David
Sullivan
Buckmasters
American Deer Foundation
Disabled
Services
http://www.badf.org/DisabledHunters.html
