Outdoor Life Contest

Outdoor life magazine is having a contest for the best off-road vehicle picture. I submitted a photo of me hunting in Illinois using my action track wheelchair. You can vote on the best picture by clicking here  Thanks so much!

Making Plans

I am making plans to hunt this ground blind this weekend.  The last time I was in it, I had this buck at 20 yards but it was doe season only.  Lets see if he or one of his big brother's gives me a shot.

WMA Accessible Archery Hunt 2013

On Saturday I had the pleasure to go hunting with Whitetail Management Associates of Pittsburgh.  They set up a special doe hunt for four hunters with disabilities.  All of the members gave up their first day of archery season to get us into blinds, drive deer and assist us hunters with disabilities.

The day started early for our host Ryan, he was up at 2:30 AM putting a whole pig on the smoker, and getting everything ready for our arrival at 5:00 AM.  We would be hunting on his farm where he built several ground blinds specifically for wheelchair users.

After saying hello to several volunteers which I have met over the years, we were off to the ground blind.  By 5:30 AM, Beth and I were sitting in the middle of an apple orchard waiting for a mature whitetail doe to walk by.  The weather forecast was severe rain, but the rain had not started yet.

 

About 7:00 AM we were able to spot this buck 20 yards from my blind.  Unfortunately it was Doe only, so all we could do was take pictures.

 

By 8:00 AM several doe had been by the ground blind, unfortunately my limited mobility kept me from taking an ethical shot.  That did not stop Beth from taking pictures.

 

9:00 AM brought the rain.  This rain would continue all day until 8:30 PM.  I felt really bad for the volunteers who were driving deer to the hunters.  They never complained and could not do enough to assist us.  They were successful in pushing at least 11 deer close by me, but again I could not take the shot.  At 11:00 AM they came to take us back to the barn for a lunchtime feast!

I quickly learned that one of the hunters (Mike) who happens to be a double amputee was successful in taking two doe with his Tenpoint crossbow.   Zach and Bob had the same results as me, seeing lots of deer but were unable to pull the trigger.

 

Lunch was fantastic and I was able to speak with two Pennsylvania game commission officers about their work in the commonwealth.  One of the officers, Jack, told me an interesting story about recently rescuing a buck from a well and another buck that was tangled in a soccer net.  I also spoke with a few of the hunters who will be joining me this year on my bow hunt in Illinois. 

After a few hours in the barn enjoying the great food and camaraderie of the other hunters, we loaded up in the rain and headed out to a new location using a portable blind.

 

The evening hunt was almost an exact copy of the morning.  I was seeing lots of deer; unfortunately I was unable to get on them.  Hunting with a disability can be very challenging which makes the rewards that much sweeter.  Legal shooting light eventually came and I had to quit for the day.

 

Some people may not view this hunt as being successful, because I did not harvest a deer.  I know it was successful because I had the opportunity to hunt with great friends and experience bow hunting again in Pennsylvania.

Thank you to all the volunteers at Whitetail Management Associates for all you do for individuals with disabilities every year.  I’ve made some great friends within your organization and really appreciate everything you do for conservation and the sport of bow hunting.

 

 

 

 

Canvas on The Trailer

The canvas is on the trailer to transport my Action Trackchair.  A little more welding on the tie downs/spare tire brackets and it's ready for opening day!  No more rolling down the highway with a blue tarp covering my wheelchair. 

Keep Calm and Roll On

Trailer Frame

 

The frame was welded into place for my action trackchair.  I need to order the custom canvas cover next week and make a few minor tweaks, then it should be road ready.

 

This should eliminate the need to tarp the wheelchair before and after each day of hunting.  I can't wait until this project is completed. I think it looks great and should make hunting easier.

A Great Hunt

 Davin Fisher, 17, of Montauk, NY was an Accessible Hunter before Boy Scout Troop 136 did a fundraiser to purchase him an Action Trackchair in May 2012. He was born with Spina Bifida, which keeps him in a wheelchair most of the time, but that doesn’t keep him from getting around. He always pushes the boundaries of where his manual chair can go and now where the Action Trackchair WILL GO!!!

He’s been out a few times for deer this season with some sightings but no take downs as of yet. His lottery number came up in the NYS Deer Management Permit lottery, so he’s had some extra time to hunt for his first deer.

On January 12, Davin, his father Bob Fisher and his friend Max Akkala got up before dawn to go duck hunting on Fort Pond in Montauk. They got to their spot and got Davin in his Action Trackchair. With 8 decoys set out off the shoreline and dawn about to break Davin began using his duck calls to lure the birds in.

 

Right away they could see ducks coming into the area and Davin was able to call a few close enough for a shot. They got a Mallard Drake and 3 Hooded Mergansers also known as Sawbills because of their serrated, hooked bills.

 

Later on that day Bob deboned the ducks and made a duck parmesan dish that Davin said “was very good!” but not his first time that way. With only a week left on his NYS DMP he’s hoping to get into the woods a couple more times. When asked if he’s waiting for a big buck for his first deer his response was “I just want a deer!”. Great job on your duck hunt! And good luck bagging your first deer!

 

 

SOG Tomahawk

I am not sure I will ever need this Sog Tactical Tomahawk but I bought one anyway.  I rarely fight zombies these days or breach doors and I'm reasonable sure I will never need to chop my way out of a building, but now I'm ready.

The next step is mounting the tomahawk on the action trackchair.  Yes, you will notice me if we run into each other out bow hunting this year, say hello...

Shooting my Parker Buck Buster 175

Mines and Meadows ATV Resort

I just found this local resort for ATV riders and believe it would be a great place to take my Action TrackChair, later this summer. I sent in an e-mail today asking if all-terrain wheelchairs are welcome there, as soon as I get a response I will let you know. 

It would be so much fun to utilize my wheelchair with friends and family as they ride ATVs !  Hopefully this all comes together and I will be on the trails very soon.