Hunters provide a hand up, local groups help vets and the disabled get to the woods
Published 4:35 pm Thursday, December 17, 2015
- Seated, from left, hunters Chris Ratcliff and Chip Studer pose with Wheelin’ Sportsman Hunt organizers Andy Ellington, left, and John Rank before heading back into the woods to hunt for deer.
Two groups of dedicated volunteers from Buckingham, Farmville and Cumberland gave over 55 disabled hunters and veterans an early Christmas present this year.
On Saturday, the High Bridge Strutters Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and Buckingham’s Operation Dues Already Paid (DAP) allowed veterans and others with special needs — namely mobility issues — a chance to bag a buck for Christmas.
Hunters killed 11 deer on property at Willis Mountain in Buckingham and 10 on land owned by Joe Hazelgrove and Elbert Womack in Cumberland, according to event organizers.
The sixth-annual Wheelin’ Sportsmen hunt in Cumberland was sponsored by the High Bridge Strutters and River City Branch Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), while the annual Operation DAP organized by a local group of volunteers in Buckingham.
Melvin Washington, a disabled veteran, readies for the next round of hunting in Buckingham.
About 20 hunters participated in the Cumberland hunt, according to Andy Ellington, the president of High Bridge Strutters.
“It takes a lot of volunteers to get them to the stands and back,” Ellington said of the numerous volunteers that assisted in the hunt, who set up tents, tree stands, made food and transported the hunters to and from the woods.
“There are different events all over the state. [The event] gives these guys an opportunity to get out and enjoy the outdoors and they ultimately wouldn’t be able to do without assistance.”
Hunters, from left, Lee Davis, Chris Davis and Jason Gibson, of Buckingham, pose before heading back to the woods in Cumberland.
According to the Virginia NWTF’s website, Wheelin’ Sportsmen became an official outreach program of the federation about 15 years ago.
“Our mission is to provide all people with disabilities opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. NWTF chapters host Wheelin’ Sportsmen events across North America that help participants gain a sense of independence by learning to stay active in the outdoors on their own in between Wheelin’ Sportsmen events,” the website states.
“This is one of my favorite hunts of the year,” said John Rank, president of River City Branch QDMA. “I look forward to it. It’s an opportunity for us to give back to those not as fortunate as us.”
Ellington said he was sorry his group couldn’t hold more than one hunt annually. “It’s something all hunters should get in involved in and give back to these guys that are less fortunate,” he said.
Stewart Godsey, left, and Brad Williamson, of Black Widow and Big Oak Hunt Club in Cartersville, pose with two of the hunting dogs Williamson’s hunt club donated to the hunt.
Volunteers didn’t only serve breakfast and lunch to the hunters, but assisted them in getting their motorized scooters and wheelchairs onto flat-bed ramps, many of which were pulled by ATVs, and gave them encouragement as they mounted their blaze-orange caps atop their heads.
“We’re just not really able to get out and do it ourselves,” said Pittsylvania County resident
Chris Ratcliff, who is disabled and confined to a wheelchair. “We’ve got to have a little help to get out there. It’s always fun to get with a group of guys anyway.”
Buckingham Operation DAP organizers and volunteers Ben Gormus, left, and Raymond “Bubba” Winn, break after lunch on Willis Mountain.
Chip Studer, who is also disabled, agreed.
“Absolutely it is,” he said of the event being a positive experience for those with special needs. “As far as being able to get outside and enjoy creation as well as fellowship with like-minded people, it’s a good thing that way. And it helps the farmers out too in terms of reducing the deer herd … We kind of feel like we’re doing a service as well.”
Both Studer and Ratcliff — who participated in the Cumberland hunt — have participated in Wheelin’ Sportsman hunts in the past in different states.
Many people volunteered for Buckingham’s Operation DAP Hunt on Saturday. Pictured are volunteers, from left, first row, Mike Smith, Sallie Mowbray, Judy Raines, Alice Gormus, Brenda Armstrong, Samantha VanWitzenburg, T.C. Johnson, Crystal Martin, second row, Devin Smith, Valerie VanWitzenburg, Courtney Wood and Barry Wright.
Ellington thanked the sponsors of the event, along with hunters with Black Widow and Big Oak Hunt Club, which brought four dogs to hunt with for the event.
Both hunts began around 8 a.m. with hunters and volunteers arriving around 5 a.m. at their respective locations.
