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#05-268 December 12, 2005

Mobility-Impaired Deer Hunts Provide Special Day For Hunters

Danny Cain of Waterloo fell from a tree stand while deer hunting in 1985 and broke his back. Since then, he has been in a wheelchair permanently since that time, but his interest and love for deer hunting has remained strong.

Sometimes because of an illness or accident, sportsmen and sportswomen who enjoy hunting can unexpectedly find themselves unable to deer hunt again, without significant assistance. In 1995, Cain asked the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to consider providing a special deer hunting opportunity for mobility-impaired individuals in the Upstate. As a result, a cooperative venture was formed among various Upstate private landowners, hunting clubs, sportsmen's preserves, industrial timber companies and the DNR to allow this group of disadvantaged sportsmen and sportswomen a unique hunting opportunity.

At this special Upstate mobility-impaired hunt, participants are able to experience the challenges, enjoyment and thrills associated with hunting white-tailed deer at some of the most well-managed and exclusive private hunting properties in the Upstate. The DNR has developed cooperative arrangements with a number of individuals and groups and works closely with them to co-sponsor a two-day event each year in early November during the peak of the deer rutting season.

Next years' Upstate mobility-impaired deer hunt is scheduled for Nov. 3-4, 2006. Applications for the 2006 Upstate hunt will be available in mid-March, and those interested may contact the Union DNR Office at 124 Wildlife Drive, Union, SC 29379, telephone (864) 427-5140 or download an application from the DNR Web site at www.dnr.sc.gov. Information about becoming a host site is also available from the Union DNR office.

The Upstate mobility-impaired deer hunt is restricted to individuals who have very severe and permanent mobility impairments. Many sportsmen have serious health problems that cause varying degrees of mobility impairment, but some of these cases are very difficult to measure or evaluate. However, in order to participate in the Upstate event, an applicant must meet one of three, very specific criteria. Applicants must be permanently confined to a wheelchair, permanently require some type of mechanical aid to assist them in walking or have had a single or double leg amputation. Each participant can bring someone to assist him or her in a non-hunting capacity and all hunting is conducted from ground blinds.

Hunters must have a valid hunting license, but the DNR offers a free disability-hunting license to resident sportsmen who are permanently and totally disabled. There is no application fee or any other costs to participate in this event. In the last couple of years, private funding has even been available to assist with overnight lodging for those that need it. In 2005, 16 host sites provided opportunities for 65 hunters in Laurens, Newberry, Spartanburg and Union counties. Fifty-two hunters were able to attend this year, and they harvested eight deer.

Champion International Corp., which is now International Paper Co., led the way in the beginning and was the first host site. This industrial timber giant initially provided the land resources, personnel and financial support to ensure that this special opportunity was made available in the Upstate. The next hosts were Otis Taylor at the Scott Place and Dr. Wallace Boyd at Quaker Creek Farm, who both graciously offered to accommodate hunters at their properties.

"To each of these men, providing this opportunity was much more than just a generous commitment-it was a sincerely genuine passion," said Gerald Moore, DNR wildlife biologist. "Their aggressive leadership and promotion has been largely responsible for the continued expansion and growth of this event. Soon, many other hunt sponsors and a number of other private individuals also began to commit significant amounts of their time and financial resources to providing hunting opportunities for this special group of sportsmen."

All hunt participants are invited to attend a barbecue lunch at Quaker Creek Farm at noon on Friday of the first hunt day before dispersing to their assigned hunt sites in the afternoon. Many of the hunters gather early on Friday morning to just socialize and enjoy a relaxing time together. Some of the hunt sites are able to provide overnight accommodations, and the hunters assigned there have the opportunity to share their afternoon hunt stories during supper and before bedtime. Many of the participants hunt again on Saturday morning. On Saturday afternoon, participants have been provided opportunities to shoot skeet at the Clinton House Plantation during the past several years and this year at the Spartanburg Gun Club.

The mobility-impaired hunters receive significant benefits from this event. They certainly enjoy the opportunity, hunting experience, variety of activities, good meals and the fellowship among old friends and new acquaintances. Many particularly benefit from the opportunity to compare notes with each other on the best or latest innovations, gadgets and customized equipment that may make it easier for them to hunt or help them to better adapt to their disabilities.

During the past several years, Days Inn in Clinton and Brookwood Inn in Spartanburg has provided special discounted motel room rates for mobility-impaired hunt participants. Bill Walden at American Outdoorsman Taxidermy has donated a free deer mount to the hunter who takes the largest buck. Also, an anonymous donor has provided a Remington Model 700 deer rifle (caliber of the winner's choice) to be given away to one lucky hunter each year.

A number of organizations are also co-sponsoring this event and have assisted in various ways. The South Carolina Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers Association has provided special financial support, a handicapped accessible golf cart and personnel assistance. South Carolina Disabled Sportsmen assists annually with compiling participant mailing lists. The Paralyzed Veterans of America donated a mechanical, hydraulic-lift deer stand, and this equipment is used at the Upstate hunt each year and also at other DNR co-sponsored mobility-impaired deer hunts around the state.

Other co-sponsors include Georgia Pacific Corp., another large timber company, which has also assisted by financially supporting the event. The DNR's Take One Make One mentoring program has provided financial support and assistance in various ways. The Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund has also provided financial assistance and has coordinated the handling of donations and finances.

Additionally, a tremendous number of volunteers pitch in to help and their annual assistance at this event is absolutely vital to its success. Every volunteer certainly finds their contribution very rewarding and some look forward to this event almost as much as the hunt participants.

The list of individuals and groups who host mobility-impaired hunters on their properties during the Upstate event increases annually. These generous individuals are providing a very unique and special opportunity, and the hunt participants and their families certainly recognize it and genuinely appreciate it. The list of current hosts includes the following individuals and organizations:

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