Recent developments include the reorganization of the New York Crossbow Coalition, following the passing earlier this year of its founder, Rick McDermott.

Hunters with disabilities or injuries preventing them from pulling back a traditional or compound bow also have some encouraging news. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has determined that the Americans with Disabilities Act allows for a more relaxed special permit requirement.

The DEC said, “In accordance with the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA), DEC considers requests for reasonable accommodations to participate in its programs. DEC determine that in some cases requests to use non-modified crossbows made by individuals who have a physical disability that renders them unable to entirely use a modified longbow, but are not eligible for a modified crossbow permit, may be granted as a reasonable accommodation in compliance with the ADA during the big game archery hunting season.”

A slate of members of the Crossbow Coalition have come forth, seeking a more unified panel of leaders rather than one focal leader, which was the case with McDermott.

The Coalition’s new president Ray “Dusty” Dust said, “We’re still in the midst of reorganizing, but going forward it’s going to be more of a team effort, and less of a one-man show. We don’t want to run into this issue again, but the intent is to continue on without question.”

Ray went on to say, “I made it perfectly clear before I took this office that I don’t want to be a one-man show. I’m not going to be the one and only voice. Anything that comes out of my mouth is coming from a consensus.”

Ray also sees the coalition putting its efforts into other programs. Right now, he said they are focusing on the recent ADA developments, which came to the forefront following a DEC presentation at the New York State Conservation Council’s fall convention. There, it was announced that hunters with physical restrictions preventing them from using traditional or compound bows can apply for a special permit to use non-modified crossbows during the entire archery season. DEC approval is contingent on a physician’s signature, and the hunters will need to have a bow hunter education certification and a bow hunting license.

Ray concluded, “Whatever eventually comes out of this organization is going to be McDermott’s legacy. All we’re going to do is carry it on. He set the groundwork, he set the direction. We’re going to continue in a little different manner, but the objective is still the same for the crossbow to become another piece of archery equipment.”