Disabled Hunting Opportunities

As I've developed this website, different opportunities for special disabled activities have come to my attention. Because of this, I am creating this page to help spread the word. Feel free to check out the hunting prospects listed below and let me know what you think of them. Also, let me know of any similar programs that you would like to see listed here. Please note that these listings are constantly changing. I try to keep them in order by hunt date, so always skim through the list for additions.

Pine Grove Program - Maine
Missouri's Special Turkey Hunts

Field of Dreams Hunt Program-Wisconsin
Turkey Tracks-free Tennessee Turkey hunt
Chairbound Hunters - Wyoming and Utah
Laurens County,
Georgia Deer Hunt

Pennsylvania Hunting Opportunity
Wisconsin Hunting Opportunity through The Way Outfitters

Wisconsin Deer Hunting Opportunity for the Disabled
USSA Hunts for Terminally Ill or Disabled Youth

Alaskan Moose Hunting Opportunity
Helluva Hunt (Antelope)
Beaver Creek Rendezvous (Mule Deer)
Minnesota Broken Wing Free Disabled Pheasant Hunt in Pine River, MN



Pine Grove Program - Maine

Bob Howe began taking Veterans on fishing excursions in 1974 when he was just 18 years old. He would go to the local VFW and offer rides to the lake and fishing tackle to many of the elder members. In 1998, he and his wife, Andrea, bought Pine Grove Lodge in Pleasant Ridge Plantation. The lodge is a 4 season sporting camp with room for up to 45 people. They offer guide service, cabin rentals, Bed & Breakfast, and many other activities. Bob began offering free trips to Veterans he would meet at trade shows, and so the "Program" began. They started giving trips away on a monthly basis, then looking for Vets to take more often than that. After 9/11, they started inviting responders of 9/11 and other disasters to partake in the wilderness adventures. The Program has grown into a plan of action; with many helping hands, fundraisers, and organized events for groups. It also provides private trips for the American hero and his/her family. The naturally therapeutic benefits of the Maine outdoors is tremendous! The thank you letters and testimonials are sincere enough to tell us that we are doing what God intended with what he gave us.

http://www.pinegroveprogram.com/index.html



Missouri Special Disabled Turkey Hunts

Missouri will be offering two different Turkey hunts for people with disabilities. further information can be obtained by contacting:

*Bois D’Arc CA in Greene Countyon
For further information call 417-742-4361

*Smithville Lake in Clay/Clinton counties
For further information contact Chris Blunk 816-858-5718

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Field of Dreams Hunt Program-Wisconsin

Founded in 2006, the Field of Dreams hunt program started with only 3 participants and has grown every year since. They had 16 participants in the hunt for 2012. The program is funded solely by donations from businesses and individuals. Started as a deer hunt only, the program has grown to include a wide variety of outdoor activities: fishing the Great Lakes, fishing trips to Canada, bear hunting as well as various Big Game Hunts. All participants must have a valid class A or C Disabled hunting permit to hunt. Participants as of now must also live in the northern part of Wisconsin so that their outdoor activity can arranged more efficiently.

http://www.fieldofdreamshuntprogram.org/

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Turkey Tracks-free Tennessee Turkey hunt

Turkey Tracks Hunt Eric Corey Foundation is from Indiana, but will be hosting a Turkey Hunt in Linden TN. They said "We need HUNTERS!." To qualify you must have a disability or a sever life threatening sickness (cancer, leukemia, etc) They pay for the sleeping accommodations, licenses, and meals and provide the land to hunt on and a experience guide! They also have hunts in Starke County Indiana and Steuben County Indiana. The Steuben County hint was just for youths this past year, but the Starke County Indiana hunt and the Perry county Tennessee hunt are open to all ages. This past year they had a total of 54 hunters come through, 34 of which came through the Starke County hunt. This past year was also the first year they hosted hunts in Perry County (Linden) and Steuben County, and they are expected to grow each year just as our initial hunt has! It's You can visit their website for more information at:

www.turkeytracks.org

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Chairbound Hunters - Wyoming and Utah

Chairbound Hunters is a small group of people committed to help give the chair bound hunter the opportunity to experience quality hunting. Our reward is seeing the enjoyment our clients receive. Chairbound Hunters is a non-profit organization designed exclusively for persons who are wheelchair-bound, blind or terminally ill. These persons are taken out to hunt antelope, deer, elk and/or turkey by one of our board members or a qualified helper. We have hunters come from all over the United States. For now, our hunters have to buy their own hunting licenses, but the organization would eventually like to have scholarships for those who cannot afford to buy a hunting license.

http://www.chairboundhunters.com/ - Wyoming

http://www.chairbouyoundsportsman.org/ -Utah

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.Laurens County, Georgia Deer Hunt

Here's a note about a big Georgia hunt: I'm David Williams and the president of the Laurens County Handicap Sportsman Association. We host a deer every year in Dublin, Ga. and would like to see some new faces. It's held on private land where we do all the food plots, set up blinds, trim roads, etc. Last year we had 34 hunters and harvested 21 deer and 3 hogs and several misses ! We cook all the meals, furnish drinks and snacks, assist hunters, game retrival and cleaning, anything they need. We have plenty of camper hookups, a nice club house with big screen where we watch Ga. bulldogs whip everybody and room for 250 people. Come see us. Thanks, David Williams. David can be contacted by email by clicking here.

http://www.lchsa.com/

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Pennsylvania Hunting Opportunity

The Way Outfitters have numerous hunting and fishing opportunities for disabled and terminally ill youth and veterans in the great state of Pennsylvania!  Trophy whitetail, hogs and exotic hunting available along with some possible fishing trips.  Contact The Way Outfitters at    www.thewayoutfitters.com

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Wisconsin Hunting Opportunity through The Way Outfitters

The Way Outfitters are looking for disabled or terminally ill youth or veterans (Wisconsin residents)  to go on one of our hunting, fishing, or Dude Ranch adventure trips (all expenses paid).  For further information, contact email or visit their website at http://www.thewayoutfitters.com/

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Wisconsin Deer Hunting Opportunity for the Disabled

Bill Parenteau heads up a deer hunt for folks with disabilities in Burnett and Washburn counties in Northwestern Wisconsin. I've hunted with these folks a few times myself and had a great time. The hunt takes place during the 9 day disabled deer hunt in October each year. Bill can be reached at 715-469-3448.

Something I'd like to share with you is here is a stand they've built on Bill's brother's property. The stand is 16' by 16' which includes a 4' covered deck. It's about 15' high with a 126' wheelchair ramp leading up to it. I'll include a couple outside pictures here to give you an idea, but everything inside is all knotty pine and gorgeous.

Notre DameStand1
Stand3

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USSA Hunts for Terminally Ill or Disabled Youth

Bridget Odonoghue from USSA called me the other day. They are in desperate need of some youth (terminal or disabled) who have had hunter's safety training and are between the ages of 12 and 17. She has a pile of amazing hunts lined up but not enough kids to fill all the spots. If you know ANYBODY who would fit the bill and would enjoy a trip hunting just about everything available in this country, please contact her at 1-715-884-2256. Their website it at http://www.childswish.com/ These hunts are totally paid for so it's a fantastic opportunity for the kids. If anyone is curious but unconfortable contacting them directly, give me a shout and I will gladly help out. Thanks

Don

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Alaskan Moose Hunting Opportunity

The following is a letter from Kris Holder.Basically, you have your doctor write a letter stating you use a wheelchair for mobility and submit it to the F&G office in Soldotna, which is on the Kenai Penninsula. Once they approve it, you pick up your permits and info at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge office in Soldotna and go hunting.

The hunt works sort of like this; there are two areas you are permitted to hunt in, both of which are working oil fields. Anyone can hunt in these areas but they cannot have any wheeled access (and most folks would not like to pack out a moose for a few miles!) so there is little other hunting pressure. The moose are used to the traffic of the workers along the gravel road system too. You have special permission to have gate access; either the guard station knows about you or you have the combination to the access gate. Once in the fields you are required to physically park your vehicle at one of four or five designated spots which are clearly marked. From there you can hunt from your stationary vehicle or wheel yourself around in your chair. You must still follow the size restrictions for that area (which is area 15).

I have done this hunt a few times and loved it. I was able to get my first moose on this hunt with only a 50 yard shot from my vehicle. You are also able to shoot up to two wolves in this refuge. I have seen wolves but never got a shot at one. My husband always accompanied me to do the grunt work. We also sort of camped out there, sleeping in the back of our SUV and eating sandwiches (no campfires). The guys who work in the fields are friendly and always offer suggestions as to where they have seen good moose. The season is sometime in late August through late September.

While I was living in Alaska, I took advantage of this hunt every year. You have the opportunity to shoot a great moose or just fill your freezer. I highly recommend this!

If anyone has any more questions feel free to have them contact me!

Kris Holder
warthog94@bresnan.net

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Helluva Hunt (Antelope)

The Annual Helluva Hunt is held in Douglas, Wyoming. Any handicapped hunter in the United States is eligible to apply for the hunt and only 15 names are drawn. The only expense the handicapped person will face is the transportation to and from the hunt. That person is allowed to bring one assistant at extra cost, but still that is very reasonable. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department provides the hunting license, the Antelope permit, the Challenged Hunter permit and a permit for your helper to dispatch a wounded animal. The town of Douglas along with several national contributors unites to help provide services for this hunt. Each hunter is given a disposable camera, hats, windbreakers, a plaque and chance to make numerous friends. All the hunters are provided with a guide and some of the people providing the help come from Chicago, Georgia, Arizona and Colorado not to mention all the folks from Wyoming. The hunt was set up and run by Gary & Jane Stearns just for the handicapped. Free meat processing is provided and a chance to win a free mount from a local taxidermist. There are several ranchers involved that allow the hunt on over 60,000 acres.


Helluva Hunt
1562 Esterbrook Rd.
Douglas, WY 82633
307-358-6580

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Beaver Creek Rendezvous

Beaver Creek Rendezvous provides an opportunity for disabled hunters to hunt deer, antelope, and turkeys in Carter County, Montana. If you get chosen for this hunt, you will have 2 guides, room and board, and an incredible experience. Your only cost will be your hunting license and tags and transportation to the Rendezvous.

https://www.beavercreekrendezvous.com/

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Minnesota Broken Wing Free Disabled Pheasant Hunt in Pine River, MN

The event sponsored by the Minnesota Broken Wing Connection is a hunt of upland birds, an activity normally limiting due to the terrain involved, the distances traveled, and pace required to keep in step with a hunting dog. The Minnesota Broken Wing Pheasant Hunt Invitational, an annual event held in September, is a weekend filled with pheasant hunting, trap shooting, archery, and demonstrations with hopes of installing the motto "Never Say Uncle".

Applications are accepted from across the United States and Canada, with a lottery style drawing for twenty participants held in the preceding June. Twelve applicants are chosen from the state of Minnesota, with an additional eight from across the United States. To qualify for the event, the applicant must show a physical condition that limits their ability to hunt pheasants. Past hunter limitations have included quadriplegia, paraplegia, amputees, paralysis, blindness, motor skill deficiencies, and various heart and lung conditions. Past hunters have been male or female with ages ranging from 13 to 81 years of age.

All costs for lodging, meals, and the event are covered by the organization for the hunter and one companion. The only cost to the hunter and companion is their transportation to Pine River, Minnesota. The event starts on Friday with check-in and runs through Sunday around noon.

I was very lucky to participate in this hunt in 2017. These folks and what they do is an example of true kindness.

http://minnesotabrokenwing.org/

For further information, contact:
Doug Bermel
email

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