Hunting with Assistive Technology

     Hunting and its influence on American life is important to many individuals. The ability to pursue this recreational activity is essential to many. The use of guns and bows as weapons for hunting requires full attention. The first aspect of hunting is the use of a bow during hunting. Certain states allow bow hunting at certain times during the year. A bow mount is necessary along with mouth guard for those who are para or quadriplegic. The use of a bow enables strength and ease while hunting. The empowerment that bow hunting gives could help an individual with socialization, recognition, and success within the community (McFarlane, 2005).

     The importance of bow hunting utilizes assistive technology not just from mounts but from mouth pieces as well. The safety concerns with pulling the string back with teeth are decreased now that the $35.00 mouth piece can be attached to the string to allow ease and safety with pulling the string back. The Bow Mouth Guard is able to modify the draw for those individuals with physical disabilities still wanting to take big game down without the use of a crossbow (McFarlane, 2005).

     There are many mounts available for bow hunting. The Bow Mount is a very dynamic mount as it is specifically designed for bow hunting. The mounts vary from use of hands (paraplegics) to lack of hand usage. These mounts attach to wheelchairs and are interchangeable for right and left side of a wheelchair. The price of a basic mount for a wheelchair runs about $475.00 plus shipping and handling (Adaptive, 2004). 


     The pros and cons of mounts available are evident in the research and implementation of designs. The wheelchair mount for the bow is stable and does not have a lot of recoil. The adjustment speed for aiming up or down for bow hunting is a definite concern for individuals using the devices. The pros have the potential to outweigh the cons because of the independence with this popular recreational activity (Adaptive, 2004). 

   

     Other than bow hunting there is actual rifle or shotgun hunting. The adaptive equipment necessary are mounts and if there is no use of arms, a mouth operated gun. The gun operates by blowing into a mouthpiece and the mechanism attached shoots the gun. Mouth Operated Guns are becoming more and more available for those enthusiasts that would like to regain the ability to hunt. The individual wears a chin strap and mouthpiece that manipulates the gun and fires when blown into electronically. There are push button activated guns but for the diagnosis of quadriplegia, the mouth operated gun is highlighted. The HQ100 gun mount attaches to a wheelchair to allow hunting independence. The gun is controlled with the mouth and chin allowing ease when operating. These guns are easily rentable or available for purchase. The purchase price is roughly $1650.00 with mouth operated gun attached (Technologies, 2009).

     The pros and cons of the HQ100 deal with multiple aspects. The first con would be recoil. The recoil is determined within the design to take as much pressure and recoil is not as evident for a wheelchair user. Safety and mobility are other concerns with this device. The pros allow independence with hunting and allows individuals to obtain hunting licenses for increased independence in leisure activities (Technologies, 2009).

     Hunting is a recreational activity that brings joy to many people. The ability to hunt and provide is something that disabled individuals struggle with when their identity has changed. The change in identity and the use of assistive or adaptive technologies shows that we are becoming a more aware society. The need for assistive technology in leisure is important to help the whole-person. The manufacturers for these devices are listed under the citations section of this blog posting. There are many other assistive technology devices listed but these are the highlighted technologies utilized.

Citations

Adaptive, B. (2004, August 18). Model CB100. Retrieved July 15, 2012, from BE Adaptive:    http://www.beadaptive.com/index.html


McFarlane, J. (2005, November 2). Assisting the Physically Challenged. Retrieved July 15, 2012, from North American Bowhunting Coalition: http://www.nabowhuntingcoalition.com/NABC_ContactUs.html


Technologies, A. (2009, December 13). Hunting-High Quad Gun Mount Chin Controlled. Retrieved July 15, 2012, from Access Technologies: http://www.accesstechnologiesinc.org/product_sales_and_rentals/deviceloan_categories.aspx?CntTagID=ddacfd63-a130-4780-bd47-fd76ae13f2bc&Page=2

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Beadaptive.com

nabowhuntingcoalition.com

accesstechnologiesinc.org