EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Thunder, lightning and heavy rain greeted hunters before daylight at the 10th annual Goose Creek Mobility Impaired Turkey Hunt near Mount Vernon, Missouri. Standing in a school parking lot early Friday morning, some participants quietly wondered what they had gotten themselves into.
A few hours later, four hunters were back at camp with tagged gobblers and stories already growing larger with every retelling around the table.
For the past 10 years, the Goose Creek hunt has given mobility impaired hunters the chance to experience every part of spring turkey season, from early mornings in the blind to evenings spent around camp with mentors, volunteers and fellow hunters.
Since 2017, the NWTF and the Missouri Disabled Sportsmen have partnered with the Missouri Department of Conservation to host the fully mentored, multi-day hunt in southwest Missouri. Local landowners, churches, businesses and conservation partners help make the event possible each year.
This spring, 10 mobility impaired hunters gathered for the event, many of them new to turkey hunting and Missouri Disabled Sportsmen.
The weekend began Thursday afternoon with a meet-and-greet, where hunters learned about turkey biology, habitat, calling techniques and shotgun patterning before heading to the woods.
Despite rough weather Friday morning, the rain eased after hunters settled into their blinds. By noon, four hunters had already tagged gobblers and returned to camp to swap stories with fellow hunters, mentors and volunteers.
“Fifth year I have had the honor of assisting hunters at this event,” said Tom Modin. “What a wonderful time on some amazing properties. Hope to make it back next season!”
Throughout the weekend, hunters enjoyed community meals, time with mentors and plenty of storytelling around camp. Chad Waligura, founder of Able Outdoors, attended the hunt to participate and interview those involved with Missouri Disabled Sportsmen.
The success continued through the weekend. By Saturday afternoon, eight of the 10 hunters had harvested a turkey, and on Sunday morning the ninth hunter connected on a gobbler.
The hunt was funded in part by the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Conservation Federation of Missouri. Additional support was provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation, Orange Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Apex Ammunition, DSD Decoys, Yukon Outdoors, QuikCamo, HogTied BBQ, local landowners and numerous volunteers who donated their time to make the weekend possible.
Organizers said the continued support from sponsors, volunteers and landowners has helped turn the Goose Creek hunt into a tradition participants look forward to every spring.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to create healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF is committed to creating a nation united by the life-changing power of the outdoors.
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