Man is fighting state for senior’s; deer hunt rights | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

BY ZLATI MEYER • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Raymond Andres has spent almost every autumn for the last 6 1/2 decades in the woods. But this fall, he says, his years are working against him.

No longer strong enough to draw his bow, the 81-year-old Riverview resident wanted a special permit to allow him to use a crossbow. The state Department of Natural Resources reserves such permits for people with permanent disabilities. Andres doesn’t qualify, so last month, he filed an age discrimination complaint against the DNR.

The retired electrician is to testify today at a Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing. Although he said DNR officials say they will issue him a permit, he’s concerned how the crossbow rules affect other aging hunters in a state where — according to U.S. census data — about 20% of residents are 65 or older.  Full Story

Man is fighting state for seniors’ deer hunt rights | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press