Upcoming Topics in the Hunting Series

Last week I covered why you may want to consider hunting as an outdoor activity. This week I’ll go over what you can expect to learn from the upcoming articles in the series.

Learn About Game Animals and Their Hunting Environments
My favorite part of hunting is learning about the animals and their habitats. It builds my determination to get out there and see them. By understanding their habits and home, I feel a closer connection to them and to nature. It’s a feeling of respect for me, and a sense of earning the kill.

I’ll cover the popular game animals and the types of terrain they inhabit. Those of us hunting from  wheelchairs need to select species living in relatively accessible terrain. We won’t likely be hunting big-horned sheep or mountain goats, but most North American game are on the menu.

How to Apply for a Hunt
After selecting a species to hunt, you’ll need to file an application for a tag with your state’s game and fish department. I’ll take you through the process I used to apply for an elk and Pronghorn hunt. The process can differ by state but guidelines are published to provide direction.

Selecting A Weapon
Selecting a weapon is dictated by the game animal you choose to hunt. Your goal here is to pick the proper caliber and ammunition. We’ll cover common calibers for each game species and quality ammunition.

I’ll recommend a few rifle models that won’t break the bank. There are plenty of low-cost options that will get the job done.

I’ll cover crossbows and quality broadheads and arrows. I’ll cover weapon optics as well because the majority of hunting engagements will be at distance.

Determining Needed Equipment Adaptations
Your physical limitations will dictate your choice of adaptive equipment. If you can’t hold the weapon steady, you’ll need a weapon support. I have one, it works great for both rifles and crossbows. I’ll share my solution. Popular adaptive equipment for weapon support, trigger pulling, sighting, etc. will be covered as well.

Setting Up Your Weapon: Getting Dialed In
You have your weapon, now it's time to prepare it for the field. I’ll point you to resources for cleaning your gun or crossbow, zeroing your scope and precautions to keep your equipment zeroed-in when taking it into the field.

Practice, Practice, Practice
Whether at the shooting range, on private property or public land, you’ll need a lot of shooting practice to build your confidence. I’ll cover the precision and accuracy you need to make an ethical shot at common hunting distances.

Preparing for the Weather
Paying attention to the forecast, learning how to layer clothing, and considering an external heating source will be covered here.

Scouting: Technology is Your Friend
Today’s field technology is amazingly helpful. Game cameras, GPS, electronic topographical maps, Google Earth, and analog aids should batteries fail. These tools can both help you prepare and increase your odds of success in the field. I’ll show you how I use them.

Out in the Field: Blinds and Cover
Blinds are a great way to hunt from a wheelchair. Getting to the blind can be a challenge and I’ll explore ideas to get you there. Greg hunts frequently from a blind and I’ll share his ideas for getting it done. I hunt open country at times and I’ll share an option that’s worked for me in those conditions..

Success! Now What?
Okay, you have killed your animal and it’s laying in the field, what’s the next step? Tagging, field dressing, and animal retrieval. We’ll cover it. I’ll also cover what to consider if you want to mount the animal and resources to show how to keep it fresh and legal.

Meat Processing
How to select a meat processor if you’re not doing it yourself. Things to think about and situations to avoid.

Taxidermy
You have an animal you want to mount for display. How do you select a taxidermist? How expensive is it? I’ll cover the basics.

Helpful Organizations and Resources
The organizations and resources I cite will be added here each week.

The topics we cover each week will build a knowledge base step-by-step so you can enter the field confident and ready to hunt. If you think I need to add something or that I’ve missed something, let me know in the comments.

Next week we begin the fun stuff! Thanks for reading!

Randy

Spring Gobbler Season 2014

I woke up this morning dreaming  about wild turkeys, I can't wait to start sighting in my shotgun and preparing for the 2014 season.

Todays tip is: Start the season off right with a clean shotgun.  Make sure everything is tight and you have fresh batteries in your scope.  If you have shells left over from last year start sighting in with them but don't be afraid to test new shot size and loads. 

Stay tuned for some more upcoming tips that may help you fill your spring turkey tag.

Scott Hall and His Great Wood Carving's

My friend Scott Hall creates some of the best wood sculptures that I have ever seen and he is also an incredible hunter with a disability.  Scott lives in North Carolina and has taken a few trophy buck.

He is working on a project for the www.wpawoundedwarrior.org group, donating his time and materials.  I can't wait to see the finished product.  Here are a few of his past carvings.

If you are interested in purchasing a carving from Scott, please email him at scott_30_27288@yahoo.com he is a great guy who completes custom projects.  Thank you Scott for all you do.

Is Hunting for me? (Part 2)

Our last post covered why people hunt. This post asks you to consider three important points before deciding to hunt.

Hunting is challenging and can be a fun and rewarding experience. Hunting is also serious business. You’ll kill an animal if successful, you’ll use a deadly weapon, and you’ll face cold temperatures if hunting big game. These elements require serious thought. Let’s go over each one.

You need to search your feelings about killing an animal if you have never hunted. Your gut knows the answer. Honor those feelings. Pretending otherwise is not smart. You’ll feel guilty and you won’t enjoy the experience.

I thought seriously about this issue before applying for my first elk hunt. They are magnificent creatures. Could I kill one? Birds had been my only harvest as a youth. How would I feel about taking a much different animal. I decided to hunt and I’m glad I did. I reconnected with nature in a primal way and I put several hundred pounds of organic elk meat in my freezer. 

There is no shame in realizing hunting is not for you. Listen to your heart. If it’s calling you to the outdoors, honor that call in a different way. Go on a photography tour, an accessible hike or go bird watching. Whatever you do, get out there and support wildlife and habitat conservation and recharge your spirit. You won’t regret it.

Next, you need to discover if you enjoy shooting a weapon. Finding out is challenging for quadriplegics. We need equipment to support our weapons and that is a financial investment; however, it’s important to know if you’re comfortable shooting and that you can do it safely. I assure you that it can be done, even with large caliber rifles if deployed with proper support, a recoil pad and muzzle brake. You must know your capabilities because you’ll practice frequently to increase your odds of a quick, clean kill -- and that only happens with proper shot placement. Paraplegics often use commercial or homemade shooting sticks or get prone on the ground for proper weapon support. I’ll share ideas for inexpensive adaptive equipment in a later article.

All quadriplegics need to be concerned about weather conditions. We get cold easily and we overheat easily. Extreme temperatures must be respected and usually avoided. Being in those conditions is either dangerous or miserable. It’s not worth the risk and discomfort.

Hunting in extreme heat is unlikely unless you’re pursuing early season antelope in Arizona or Wyoming. Most big game hunts are in the fall and winter months. The cold temps will be your challenge. Only you know your tolerance when it drops below freezing.  You must be comfortable for hours at a time while creating little scent and little movement. I’ll share a few solutions I used while hunting in twenty degree temps. It was not fireside warmth, but it was tolerable.

Hunting is a way to reconnect with nature. It's challenging and rewarding but it's not for everyone. If you think you can make the kill, but need more information about equipment and managing field conditions, follow along to discover how creative adaptations can lead to success.

Next week I’ll provide details about future topics. Here’s the line-up:

• What the Series Will Cover: In Depth
• Learn About Game Animals and Their Hunting Environments
• How to Apply for a Hunt
• Selecting A Weapon
• Determining Needed Adaptations
• Setting Up Your Weapon: Getting Dialed In
• Practice, Practice, Practice
• Preparing for the Weather
• Scouting: Technology is Your Friend
• Out in the Field: Blinds and Cover
• Success! Now What?
• Meat Processing
• Taxidermy
• Helpful Organizations and Resources

Thanks for reading and I hope you’ll come back next week!


-Randy

Spring Turkey Hunt 2013

I am so sick of winter, it's snowing again here in Pittsburgh Pa.  I can't wait until spring turkey season starts in May.  Check out my friend Austin's hunt last year, he just did a fantastic article over at Wild Jaeger .  At only 16, he writes as well as he hunts, tagging big bucks and long beards in 2013.

Primos Bombshell Turkey Call

For turkey hunters with limited hand dexterity, the new Primos Bombshell call might be for you. By simply pushing, tapping or slow pushing the rail, you can generate yelps, cuts and purrs. Can be mounted and operated by a pull cord.

Why Hunt? Is Hunting for me? (Part 1)

When considering a new activity, what’s the first thing you might ask yourself? "What is this about?" and "What’s involved?" Likely questions if you’re anything like me. This series will help you answer these questions if you’re considering hunting game animals from a wheelchair.

If you have not hunted before, or if you’re returning to the outdoors sporting a set of wheels, this series is for you. You’ll learn how to prepare for a hunt and how to improve your odds in the field. Each week I’ll provide insights from hard won experience and the knowledge gained from successful outings.

This week I’m covering reasons why people hunt.

People hunt for many reasons; a sense of adventure, connecting with family and friends in the outdoors, supporting wildlife conservation, feeding their family, or often, all of the above. I certainly do it for all those reasons.

Getting into wild nature is an adventure. You’re off-road, you’re out of your comfort zone, and you’re definitely not living a routine. It takes planning and effort to get out there, but once you’re there, you might wonder how you lived without it. You’ll feel the adrenaline again while hunting in the great outdoors --guaranteed! And you never know what you’ll see out there.

During my 2012 elk hunt, a small calf came within twenty feet of our position. He sauntered around, chirping and looking at us with little care, too young to be afraid. He dipped his head to nibble on grass and other edibles. Then finding an icy puddle, he worked his hoof into the frozen crust until finally breaking through. He lapped up the water for a few minutes and then with a final bleet, made his way toward his mother hidden among the trees. We felt privileged to witness natural behaviours while being only feet away. That experience alone made the effort worthwhile. 

Speaking of "we", you’ll likely need your buddies along if you decide to hunt. I have friends in chairs who hunt independently, but they’re a rare breed. I highly recommend going out with experienced hunters who understand your needs and limitations. Especially the first few excursions. They should be level headed and have a keen sense of risk and reward. As a wheelchair user, you have a vulnerability they don’t have. You need to select people you trust wholeheartedly. Pick the right people, and you’ll be swapping great stories for years.

Hunting is under appreciated for its support of conservation. Sportsmen and women do the heavy lifting when it comes to funding habitat preservation and wildlife management. It’s often said that, "Hunting is conservation." True statement. The fees for licenses, applications, tags, access and voluntary fund raising are the primary source of environmental conservation dollars in the United States. By hunting, you help preserve habitat, wildlife and the opportunity for future generations to enjoy the wilderness.

A more appreciated aspect of hunting is enjoying the harvest. Successful hunting puts meat in the freezer. Better yet, meat free of hormones and antibiotics. This is organic eating all the way. The lower fat quantities in game meat also provide a healthier source of protein than beef.

These are a few reasons why people enjoy hunting. It's natural, it's invigorating and it's healthy. Not a bad way to spend time in wild nature. It may be tougher from a wheelchair, but it's done every season by those willing to push a little harder.

Part two of this post will pose three important questions to folks who have never hunted. 

Thanks!

Randy

Guest Blogger

Hello Accessible Hunter readers. My name is Randy Smith and I hunt, fish and enjoy outdoor activities from a wheelchair.

Greg asked me recently to share my hunting experiences with his audience and of course, I jumped at the chance. Greg's passion for the outdoors is contagious and the man knows his stuff. From deer to gear, he's covered the sport for outdoor enthusiasts faced with mobility challenges. As a guest blogger, I'll strive to meet his high standards.

Beginning February 24th, I'll cover one topic each week about hunting with a physical disability.  I'll go over everything thing you need to get started: Why hunt?, species selection, applying for hunts, choosing weapons and adaptive equipment, tips for using technology, and other necessities. You'll know how to create a safe and enjoyable hunting experience after the series completes.

I'll also discuss how to find accessible locations, hunting strategies, helpful organizations, wildlife conservation and more. I live in Arizona, so western species, terrain and foliage dictate my strategies and techniques. You'll now gain insights into both eastern and western regions from Greg's blog.

A note to readers frustrated by inadequate and expensive adaptive equipment. 3D printing technology promises personalized adaptations and lower prices. I'll cover new developments relevant to adaptive outdoor equipment.

I hope you'll enjoy this series as much as I will. I look forward to answering any questions you may have. Thank you and thank you Greg!

My Friends Axis Deer Hunt in Texas

Here is how a South Western PA lady takes down a Texas Axis Deer ! Way to go Shian, what a great hunt and video!

The Private Life of Deer