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CAB pushes to retain crossbows for severely disabled hunters, tightens medical certification
Summary
After testimony from disability‑advocacy hunters, the board recommended that crossbow use remain in the disability‑permit regulation with tightened medical‑certification language and a 'severely disabled' classification to narrow eligibility.
The CAB examined proposed revisions to Commission General Regulation 5‑29 on disability permits and received emotional testimony from multiple hunters who rely on crossbows and assistive trigger systems.
Matt Murray (Nevada Outdoorsman and Wheelchairs) urged retaining crossbows and tightening the medical‑certification standard so permits serve the intended disabled hunters, not short‑term medical excuses. Chris Chapman described a high cervical injury and said he does "not have the use of my hands... the crossbow is very instrumental." Lizzie Bratton described a bite‑trigger system that allowed her to harvest big game and said losing crossbow access "would be devastating" to her quality of life.
Board members balanced concerns about abuse and access, discussed requiring MD‑level documentation and clearer definitions of 'permanent' or 'severe' disabilities, and voted to send a recommendation to the Commission to retain crossbow use for those meeting a tightened 'severely disabled' standard.
