Ham and Bacon Shoot

Yesterday was the ham and bacon shoot sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors at the California Hill Gun Club.  The weather was beautiful and we had a good group of shooters come out to support a great organization.

I shot six rounds really well but did not win any bacon or ham. My groups were tight and consistent but I just could not get closest to the X with a single BB. That's the great part of shooting in a ham and bacon contest. Anyone can win with a little luck.

One thing I would like to mention is winning is not always about the prize. And let's not get confused, this is not about handing out participation trophies to children in athletics. Everyone who participated in yesterday's event, able bodied or disabled was a winner. Several of the shooters had significant disabilities and they were still able to compete and win.

We all support each other and share in each others success. One particular young man is new to shooting. Several of us offered encouragement, let him use our shotguns and cheered for him to win. Unfortunately he did not win a prize but I think he took away something much more valuable. A feeling that he was part of a group, a feeling that he could accomplish his goals, and a sense of belonging.

It's amazing what can happen with the right group of people. When we encourage and support each other we all win.

Rotary District 7300 Donation, Trac-Fab

I would like to thank The Rotary District  7300  for their very generous donation of a new Trac-Fab all-terrain wheelchair to the Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors. It will provide veterans a better opportunity to explore the great outdoors.

Without adaptive equipment like this veterans may not have the opportunity to access off-road activities such as hiking, fishing and hunting. Tracked wheelchairs such as this are the only way veterans and people with disabilities can get off the pavement. After all, nature and the great outdoors is not ADA certified or approved.

Marianna Outdoorsmen Association

The Marianna Outdoorsmen Association recently completed a wheelchair accessible parking area and ramp access to Ten Mile Creek. I attended the opening with the Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors.  It was a great event celebrating the men and women who raised $150,000 to complete this project.

The ramp itself is a little steep and not ADA approved but provides access to a great fishing area. Numerous catfish were stocked that morning for later in the day. A catfish tournament. ran from 4-9pm. If you are interested in fishing and live near Marianna PA, give 10 mile Creek a chance.

Hunting 101 Class

My friend Katelyn conducted a Hunting 101 class this past weekend for her senior project in high school. The class took place at the West Allegheny high school. It was a very informative class and was well attended by the community. Katelyn also donated the money generated from the event to the Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors. I think it's great that a young lady is so enthusiastic about advocating for hunting, sportsmanship and conservation.

Washington Sportsmen Show

My friend Ed and I were recently at The Washington Sportsmen Show, volunteering at the Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors booth.  I look forward to the show every year, It's an opportunity to help raise money for local Wounded Warriors .

It's also a great time to check out local sportsman and the products or businesses they are promoting. It's always fun to catch up from last year and see what they are into. Whip Em Baits is a local fishing lure manufacture.  Henry is the Whip Em Baits owner. I attended his last two fishing tournaments. He had some exciting new baits created, and is now selling them all the way in Australia.

McDonald's sportsman we're also in attendance. They put on a fantastic pheasant hunt last year for the Western PA Wounded Warriors,  I spoke with them and they indicated they would be doing another pheasant hunt this year. I'm certainly looking forward to that. 

I also talked with them about producing some hunting braces. These braces would enable wheelchair users the opportunity to shoot again. Having local Boy Scouts who are going for their Eagle Scout or other young people complete the Manufacturing. It's just an idea but hopefully it gets completed this year. 

The 2015 Accessible Hunter Patch

I am ordering the new 2015 Accessible Hunter Morale Patch's this week. It will be a more tactical model than last year's patch.  Made up with OD Green and Black.  I like to give these out when I'm hunting to individuals who clearly demonstrate the values and characteristic's associated with accessible hunting.

Hunting in Texas with Mike Stroff

I met Mike Stroff from Savage Outdoors in September at the Field and Stream in Washington Pa.  He was there for the grand opening and gave a great talk.  I spoke with him afterwards and he was so nice.

As it turns out, I will be speaking with him again soon.  I am going hunting with him at his ranch in south Texas! THANK YOU FIELD and STREAM The hunt will take place in December, stay tuned for lots more.

Hunting With a Crossbow

Is it legal to use a crossbow in your state?  24 states allow the use of crossbows the entire archery season and 28 states allow limited use.  I think every state should allow the use of crossbows.

Shooting a crossbow is archery hunting.  If you do not know the distance to your target, you will miss.  It is not like shooting a rifle.  Today's modern compound bows shoot 40, 50, yards, some could argue they are to advanced for the true archer...

Call your State Representative if crossbow hunting is not legal in your state.  Advocate and drive a change in policy and dispel the myths of crossbow hunting.

Airport Follow-Up

The Allegheny Airport is having a lottery for bow hunting permits this year.  I mentioned it here and  thought it would be great if they included some spots for hunters with disabilities.  So I contacted Senator Matt Smith with the suggestion.

His office just called and said they thought it was a great idea.  The Senator likes the idea of helping hunters with limited accessibility and is working with the airport authority to secure spots in next years lottery for hunters with disabilities (it was to late for this year).

It always pays to make people aware of the issues hunters with disabilities face.  Gaining wheelchair access to prime whitetail areas is exciting news!  Thank you Senator Matt Smith !

Bow Bash August 24th 2013

Come out and support our Veterans and people with disabilities at www.teamdbr.com 's Bow Bash !

Third Annual Mega Bow Bash
August 24th 2013Rogersville Park, Rogersville Pa 15359

$20.00 per person, to shoot the event.  Non shooters and those sixteen and under free.
11:00 am to 6 pm, Gates open at 10:00 am
Food and Drinks will be available
Prizes every 15 minutes
Cash shooting prizes and children's events

New Article at Wild Jaeger

Check out my new article over at Wild Jaeger  and take a friend out hunting this year !

Warrior Trail Gobblers NWTF Banquet

This weekend we went to the NWTF Banquet in Waynesburg Pa.  It was at the National Guard Armory and was well attended, I would say over 300 people.

We donated one of the many shotgun's they gave away to the kids 17 and under at no cost.  Each youth received a raffle ticket for free and many left with a prize.

What made it even better was, one of my buddies daughters won the gun I donated.  I can't wait until this young hunter bags her first gobbler with it.  That is, if her father can learn to call better, just joking Doc.  Good luck and shoot straight.

GAMO Launches New Whisper Fusion Pro Air Rifle

GAMO Launches New Whisper Fusion Pro Air Rifle : The Outdoor Wire

Air rifles can be so much fun to shoot especially for shooters with disabilities.  With the proper set up they can easily be shot at a cheap indoor range.  I happen to know two Veteran Games medalist in air rifle and they are great marksmen.

NWTF Youth Calling Contest Sept 15th

Team DBR Bow Bash 2012

I want to thank everyone who came out to Rogersville park yesterday to support Team DBR and raise money for veterans and people with disabilities.

Several hunters will get to go on a once in a lifetime hunt this year thanks to your help !  I was not able to stay as long as I would have liked due to the heat.  But it was great to meet so many new friends !

August PN Magazine

Pn Magazine (Paralyzed Veterans of America) did a very nice article about Accessible Hunter in this month's issue.  It's great that people are using this blog as a resource,  If you have a story, idea or suggestion please send it in.

DPMS AR-15 5.56

With the recent shootings I am sure there will be new calls to ban "assault" rifles like this AR-15.  It's my opinion that this rifle is just like any other weapon, its an object....

The rifle is not the problem, it's the person behind the weapon we need to be aware of....  Increase funding for mental health services and counseling.  Try to identify the people at risk for this type of behavior and provide increased security.

If your state has a concealed carry law, get the proper training, spend the time at the range and get the license to protect your family and those around you.

PWD Bug Out Bag

What if you had only five minutes to grab whatever you could take from your home, and had to leave the rest of your belongings at home for several days or week’s…..

What would you take?

Let’s look at my Person With a Disability (PWD) Bug Out Bag. This bag (B.O.B. for short) is a collection of goods that you would need to survive if you had to flee your home with no guarantee of shelter, food or water during an emergency. Think of the B.O.B. as your survival insurance policy for any disaster situation.

Most people use either a backpack or a duffle bag as the container for their goods, which should include basic survival essentials and a few irreplaceable items. Any good B.O.B. should include a minimum of the following-with most things sealed in zip-top bags to prevent water damage:

• Necessary prescription meds that you need to live and a wheelchair charger !
• Shelter items like a backpacking tent and sleeping bag, or at least a 12x12’ tarp and blanket
• A couple quarts of drinking water, and purification equipment to disinfect more water
• High-calorie, no-cook foods like protein bars, peanut butter, trail mix, etc.
• First-aid, sanitation and hygiene supplies (extra catheters, gloves, ky, bed pads ect.)
• Fire starting methods, and a small pot to boil water or cook
• A few basic tools like a knife, some duct tape, plastic wire ties, rope, etc.
• Extra clothes appropriate to the season
• Flashlight with extra batteries, personal firearm, extra ammunition
• Cash, small bills $5, 10, 20’s

• A digital backup of all your important documents and family treasures. This could be a thumb drive with your bank info, insurance documents, wills, family photos and videos

I also keep portable wheelchair ramps in my van at all times. These ramps allow me to navigate 5 steps and a threshold step anywhere I need to go. A cell phone charger and 100’ extension cord are also available. If I need to, I can charge my wheelchair from my van. I keep a list of phone numbers in my glove box in case my cell phone crashes. I also try to keep my van with at least half a tank of gas at all times.

You could keep a B.O.B. by the front door, or even have multiple bags at home, at the office and in your car. This might seem like overkill, or even a little paranoid to some, but hey, just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean an emergency can’t happen.

 My Bag:

- 1 Book of matches

- 1 zippo Lighter

- 2 Carabiners

- 2 Zip Lock Bags (Cover w/ 100 mph tape)

- 50’ 550 cord

- Air force survival Knife

- Band Aids

- Canteen w/ Cup

- Catheters/kit

- Cotton Balls

- Emergency Space blanket

- Extra glasses

- Gauze

- Gerber Multi-Tool

- hand sanitizer

- Iodine

- Lip Balm (Carmex)

- Medication

- Motrin

- Neosporin

- Poncho & Poncho Liner

- Propane

- Sewing Kit

- small stove top

- SOG Tomahawk

- Surgical gloves

- Surgical Tape

- Tweezers

- USB important numbers, information

-4 glow sticks

-Backtracker GPS

-Emergency radio

-Headlamp extra batteries

-Q-tips

-tea bags, sugar, power bar, beef jerky

-tissues

DBR Bow Bash 2012

Come out and show your support for American Veterans on August 18th 2012!

Hog Saddle Adapted for Wheelchair Use

Here is the Hog Saddle mount I have been adapting for shooters who use wheelchair's.  I need to camo the base and get it to the range !  Thank you Hog Saddle for all you do for shooters with and without disabilities.