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
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 DArc 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
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/
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:
Chairbound Hunters - Wyoming and Utah
http://www.chairboundhunters.com/ - Wyoming
http://www.chairbouyoundsportsman.org/ -Utah
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.
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
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/
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 Dame
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
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
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
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/
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