[NFB-Idaho] Resolution 2022-02 Hunting Accommodation

[Erin A. Olsen]

Below is Resolution 2022-01. Please review it as it will be presented to the NFB of Idaho membership during state convention for a membership vote.
If you want to make comments, please submit your name to Erin Olsen by text 2083313123 or e-mail eolsen at pckeys.com<mailto:eolsen at pckeys.com> no later than Friday at 10 AM MDT so we can plan for comments.
We will be holding the resolutions Committee meeting at convention on Friday starting at 2:30 PM.
Anyone who wishes to meet and hear the proceedings or make comments are welcome to attend.


Resolution: 2022-02
Submitted: April 15, 2022

Modifying Idaho Rules to Allow Blind Hunters to Use Adaptive Technology

Whereas some Blind and visually impaired individuals in Idaho want to be able to fully participate in the sport of hunting, including big game and birds; and
WHEREAS, participation in hunting for blind individuals can be challenging; and
WHEREAS, blind individuals could benefit from rules changes in order to better enjoy this sport; and
WHEREAS, other states, including Utah and Wyoming that border Idaho,  have adopted accessibility measures to aide blind hunters; and
WHEREAS, current Idaho rules forbid the use of nearly all electronics attached to hunting bows and firearms; and
WHEREAS, The Idaho Department of Fish and Game claims the current rules are intended to preserve fair chase ethics in hunting which the national federation of the Blind of Idaho supports, but which regulations as written result in discrimination against blind hunters preventing them from safely pursuing game; and
WHEREAS, an example of such accessibility adaptation is use of a phone scope, which is any device or combination of devices that allows the view from the scope of a gun or archery bow to be displayed on the screen of a smartphone or other electronic device to allow for assistance in accurate targeting of the bow or firearm (www.wyomingdisabledhunters.org<http://www.wyomingdisabledhunters.org/>); and
WHEREAS,  in March 2022, During a special meeting of the Idaho State Fish and Game Commission, the commission voted unanimously to consider an accommodation to allow visually impaired hunters to attach electronic devices to bows and firearm scopes (Idaho Statesman, https://www.idahostatesman.com/outdoors/hunting/article259736390.html#storylink=cpy):
NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED on this 23rd day of April 2022, at the Convention of the national federation of the Blind of Idaho in Idaho Falls, Idaho, that We express our gratitude and appreciation to Idaho Fish and Game for considering this rule change; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the National federation of the Blind of Idaho ask the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to continue to bear in mind the needs of blind and visually impaired individuals when considering rules impacting the blind and visually impaired's ability to enjoy the sport of hunting along with their sighted counterparts.