EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The NWTF Surry Longspurs Chapter, based in Elkin, North Carolina, hosted another successful mentored youth and disabled hunt. The chapter has been organizing mentored events for more than 25 years and strives to host at least three events for people with disabilities each year, including a catfish round-up.
“We’ve hosted big hunts, and we’ve hosted small hunts,” said Vickie Bryant, NWTF Surry Longspurs Chapter volunteer. “No matter what, we think that even if just one hunter shows up and has a good time that day, then that’s a successful hunt. That’s how we look at it.”
This year’s event welcomed four hunters, each of whom harvested a deer. One of the disabled attendees, Michael Spears, harvested his first buck — a chocolate-horned 8-pointer. Spears was so excited that he took the buck straight to the taxidermist after the event.
“Once you volunteer at one hunt, it touches your heart, and you just want to do another one,” Bryant said. “Seeing how hard they work to do what they love to do just touches your heart.”
Bryant’s husband experienced a few medical scares over the years, and being able to get back to the woods made him realize hunting was one thing he couldn’t live without. This inspired the couple to take part in planning an event that offers people with disabilities the opportunity to hunt and experience the outdoors, whether it’s for the first time or returning to a space they never thought they could return to.
“I wish more people would do it,” Bryant said. “In December, we’re going to host a seminar during our state chapter’s banquet on how to host a handicap hunt to see if we can help other chapters start doing them.”
Bryant is also determined to keep striving for greatness with her chapter’s mentored hunts.
“We’ll do better next time,” she said.
Her chapter is also planning its first JAKES Day event since 2008, for next year.
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 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats and Healthy Harvests for future generations.
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