MyVisionTest News Archive
Jan 2, 2008
He can't see, but - with a little help - he can still hunt
Stanley McGowen of Weatherford was getting ready for deer season a few weeks back, sighting in his .270-caliber rifle.
The annual ritual ensures that a rifle is on target come opening day, but McGowan has to take some unusual steps to fine-tune his weapon.
McGowen, an Army helicopter pilot turned history professor, is blind.
People are instantly perplexed or even alarmed that a blind man goes afield with a weapon, intent on killing an animal he can't see. But McGowen said blind people have been hunting for years and are continually developing effective and safe techniques to kill game.
Texas law prevents hunters from targeting game with light beams, whether flashlights or laser devices. But a year ago, McGowen petitioned the Legislature to make an exception for blind hunters and let them attach laser sights to their weapons.
Stories about the bill were soon carried by National Public Radio, ABC News and newspapers nationwide. The bill moved easily through the Legislature and became law in June, despite the early publicity from talk radio hosts, late-night comedians and bloggers imagining a sightless Elmer Fudd stumbling in the woods, shooting at any sound.
"I'm losing my patience with sighted people who have no vision," McGowen said recently.
McGowen, a 60-year-old Baird native, is a lifelong sportsman who has been hunting without sight for about seven years.
His original technique involves a spotter who stands behind him and peers into the rifle scope to make sure it's on target.
The spotter tells McGowen when it's safe to shoot.
The laser device adds precision to the task because the spotter sees a tiny green or red light projected onto the target, McGowen said.
Read more...
Star-Telegram
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Stanley McGowen of Weatherford was getting ready for deer season a few weeks back, sighting in his .270-caliber rifle.The annual ritual ensures that a rifle is on target come opening day, but McGowan has to take some unusual steps to fine-tune his weapon.
People are instantly perplexed or even alarmed that a blind man goes afield with a weapon, intent on killing an animal he can't see. But McGowen said blind people have been hunting for years and are continually developing effective and safe techniques to kill game.
Texas law prevents hunters from targeting game with light beams, whether flashlights or laser devices. But a year ago, McGowen petitioned the Legislature to make an exception for blind hunters and let them attach laser sights to their weapons.
Stories about the bill were soon carried by National Public Radio, ABC News and newspapers nationwide. The bill moved easily through the Legislature and became law in June, despite the early publicity from talk radio hosts, late-night comedians and bloggers imagining a sightless Elmer Fudd stumbling in the woods, shooting at any sound.
"I'm losing my patience with sighted people who have no vision," McGowen said recently.
McGowen, a 60-year-old Baird native, is a lifelong sportsman who has been hunting without sight for about seven years.
His original technique involves a spotter who stands behind him and peers into the rifle scope to make sure it's on target.
The spotter tells McGowen when it's safe to shoot.
The laser device adds precision to the task because the spotter sees a tiny green or red light projected onto the target, McGowen said.
Read more...
Star-Telegram
