14 DAY TRIAL // No more extra privileges for disabled hunters. This could be a controversial change supported by state of Montana, in an effort to curb abuses.
It seems that many passionate hunters fake a series of disabilities to put their hands on PTHV permits that allows them to kill animals from a self-propelled vehicle, Huffington Post informs.
So far, the state was eager to improve the lives of physically challenged people by offering them unlimited access to a series of benefits.
Those who prove that they are disabled with documents signed by doctors, nurses or chiropractors, can use the vehicle even in areas in which car traffic is usually prohibited.
The large number of PTHV permits demanded over the last few years made the authorities raise an eyebrow and question the veracity of their claims.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials state that an increased number of abuses are currently threatening the balance of wildlife species, since the much-needed permits are a tool with a lot of potential in hunting cow elk, especially since disabled hunters do not have to buy a special antlerless elk license to develop such activities.
Moreover, authorities warn that this advantage has led to a decline in cow elk population in some areas considered hot spots for hunting operations.
The main concern is that even perfectly healthy hunters could enjoy these benefits. FWP notes that 9,188 lifetime permits of this kind have been assigned so far.
Therefore, because it appears difficult to establish if a person allowed to own such a PTHV is truly handicapped, the most effective way of curbing this alarming phenomenon is to stop giving out this kind of permits for a while.
Surprisingly, this strategy is also praised by disabled hunter's group, stating that a temporary cut could annihilate or reduce significantly the percentage of people willing to fake disabilities and exploit the advantaged put on the table by the program. Incentives offered by this program are a great temptation, even for healthy hunters.
Moreover, representatives of this group say the eligibility clauses are very vague and need to be improved and there is no need for PTHV to be a lifetime permit.