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My turkey hunting.

swantucky

swantucky

The Crew
1,594
122
Swanton, Ohio
I don't turkey hunt. Never had them around when I had the time and just too busy to take the time to learn and hunt them now. I do however spend a ton of time getting ready for turkey season.

I am part of a group that puts on a handicapped turkey hunt evey spring for the last 4 seasons. Long story short a dozen or so hunters got together and organized a Wheelin' Sportsman hunt. It has grown every year. We won a national award last year for our efforts. Probably one of the most rewarding things I have been involved with.

Anyway here is the link, check out the video from last year's hunt. We have I think 4 video crews this year. Faith at Full draw will be there guiding and filming this year.


http://wheelinsportsmen-mvnwtf.webs.com/2011event.htm
 
swantucky

swantucky

The Crew
1,594
122
Swanton, Ohio
rgecko23 said:
Glad to be a part of it this year Randy, and we are really looking forward to it.
Click to expand...

Speaking of the hunt....has Dale talked to you guys about what you want to do in the off time?? Depending on the water temps the river may still be an option but the end of the month can be spotty. We can roost birds, shoot guns, or whatever if the fishing is not worth messing with.


Thanks for all the comments guys. I'll admit all the work that first year was making me think "this is alot of meetings, fundraising, and time away from family and fishing, this kinda sucks". Then we finally had the hunt. I was ashamed of myself for any selfish thoughts I had leading to the hunt. It really makes you realize how lucky most of us are. The appreciation of the hunters is so rewarding. When a guy says "thanks, you guys did not have to do this. I have wanted to try and get back into hunting since I lost my legs but I about gave up because of the difficulty involved. Thanks for making it happen for me!!"

When we have our first meeting to talk about what hunters we have lined up for the coming year you find out some of them from the previous year are no longer with us. It sure as hell feels good to know that you had a part in getting that person out one last time.
 
RedCloud

RedCloud

Super Moderator
Super Mod
17,383
193
North Central Ohio
This is a great thing you guys are doing.

When I returned back to Ohio after guide school I looked at Ohio's hunter accessibility to the outdoors and found it shocking that the state had NO place for these people to hunt. Even the handicapped fishing access was hit and miss in city and state run waters. I never understood why every building state, city, and privately owned had to be wheelchair/handicapped accessible but the STATE owned and operated great outdoors didn't fall under these same guidelines. I then seen some shows done by Jackie Bushman's Buckmasters where they had filmed hunts and talked about hunters with disabilities and all the new gadgets that was designed to help them get back out there and enjoy hunting once again or even for the first time. It was a sight to see when a gentlemen that was a quadriplegic use a blow tube to fire a rifle.

Sadly after years of trying to figure out on my own with little to no money, no contacts, and no financial backers I lost my way and drive to get these men and women into the outdoors. Something like this is what I have thought about since 96' and I am happy to see that it really can be done. I am glad there are foundations such as the one your working with that is picking up and pushing on where I fell on my face. Brings a smile to my face knowing they are getting the chance they deserve and that we take for granted way to often.

THANK YOU !!!!
 
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rgecko23

rgecko23

*Supporting Member*
7,466
0
Massillon, Ohio
swantucky said:
Speaking of the hunt....has Dale talked to you guys about what you want to do in the off time?? Depending on the water temps the river may still be an option but the end of the month can be spotty. We can roost birds, shoot guns, or whatever if the fishing is not worth messing with.
Click to expand...

Yea dude, fishing sounds awesome...but yea, if its no good we are down for whatever.
 
"J"

"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
57,035
274
North Carolina
Thanks guys for going the extra mile to help folks out who need it to do the things most of us take for granted..... kudos to you all.....
 
swantucky

swantucky

The Crew
1,594
122
Swanton, Ohio
I planned to get some decent sleep before the hunt this year but I am just too jacked up to sleep:pickle:

The Faith at Full Draw guys are all tucked in. Alarms start going off in an hour:smiley_blackeye:

It was GREAT to have my parents and children at the banquet. My daughter said something like "I never knew Dad did this, I always thought HE was hunting,":smiley_bril:
It was hard to keep the tears back looking around and seeing what this has become. It started with the NWTF asking and about 10 deer hunters saying, "yep we'll try it". Other than my kids this has been the most rewarding thing I have ever been involved with.

RC: you are welcome to join us for the hunt next year, we can always use extra help or just come to the banquet. We had a few "big shots" from the NWTF there tonight just to see what we do and how we do it.

The FAFD guys are set up in some good spots, with any luck their hunters will kill some birds. I forgot my camera tonight but there are some pics up on FAFD on facebook.
 
rgecko23

rgecko23

*Supporting Member*
7,466
0
Massillon, Ohio
This is an amazing thing these guys are doing and we feel blessed to be a part of it. You couldnt ask for a better group of guys to run it. Thanks ray, and randy...we appreciate the opportunity.!
 
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