California hunters whose upper-extremity disability prevents them from drawing and holding a bow can use a crossbow or another device to hold the bow in firing position during archery seasons or under an archery tag, under CCR Title 14, Section 354. A licensed physician certifies the need on DFW 537, and CDFW issues a permit valid for one license year.
The hunter completes and signs the applicant section. A licensed physician completes the physician section with license number, describes the disability, marks it permanent or temporary with an end date, and signs under penalty of perjury.
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Disabled Archer Permit Application
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A hunter with a permanent loss, significant limitation, or diagnosed disease or disorder that substantially impairs one or both upper extremities and prevents drawing and holding a bow in firing position, as defined in CCR Title 14, Section 354(k). A licensed physician must certify this on DFW 537.
The permit is valid for a license year, July 1 through June 30, with CDFW recording the dates when it is issued. If the physician marks the disability as temporary, the form also records the disability end date.
That the hunter requires a crossbow or other device to draw and hold a bow in firing position in order to hunt with archery equipment during an archery season or under an archery tag, and that the physician is licensed in the applicant's state of residence. The certification is made under penalty of perjury.