Our Goal Is To Provide An Affordable Hunt for Disabled Hunters
This goal has surely been realized by a total of twelve disable hunters during the 2009 & 2010 hunting season. The feat was accomplished with the compound and cross bows with all but one hunter scoring a nice buck. We had good representations from various states such as North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, New Mexico and several from Wyoming.
The public support for the program has been awesome with rooms, meals, beverages, a hunting device and miscellaneous items having been donated from around the country.
The landowner support has been over whelming. As we picked up the ground blinds from last years hunt, the response from several landowners was, ‘hope to see you next fall!”.
On the financial side, WDH received excellent support from both donations and great support for our annual raffle held during the Park County Fair. Tickets were sold until the drawing in September when prizes were awarded. Many volunteers sold the tickets at the booth as well as independently. Our hope is to have more items for the raffle in 2011. WDH will be considering a booth at WGF Expo in Casper in early fall, but a final decision has not been made at this time.
The Volunteers for the companion hunters was just super– we will be working to simplify the companion hunter permitting in the future. We have also been in contact with WFG in regards to legalize the legally blind hunter to be able to use the laser for sighting.
Park County Recreation board generously donated the hunting device which attaches to the wheel chair to hold the shooting device for those hunters who have limited use of their hands and fingers. It proved to be successful as one of the hunters was able to harvest a niche buck deer while using this device. The Cody Honor Society came by the groups to assist in serving the meals and making lunches. The Larry Gerber family and several middle school teachers and teachers’ wives were on hand to help serve and clean up the Retreat after the hunt.
It was a thrill for all the board members and volunteers when we provided a successful hunt for 2 young, first time hunters. Both of these hunters considered the hunt to be one of the great highlights of their lives. The greatest thing about having a central location for the hunters was the comradeship that developed among the hunters. A few new friends where made and hopefully relationships will continue for many years.
In the future WDH will be exploring the possibility of other various disabled hunts such as elk, goose or predator hunts. If you or some one you know who would qualify for WDH hunts please contact Corey McGregor @ 307-899-0790 or any of the board members.
As of 2011 Wyoming Disabled Hunters will be taking over the management of hunts at the Ballinger Wilderness Retreat and will be providing disabled Elk and Deer hunts for both rifle and bow hunters from a stationary heated hunting blind.
