Lousy Weather but great weekend - A wounded warrior handicapped hunt

[eggshell]

The local NWTF chapter's wounded warrior/handicapped turkey hunt was this weekend and it was my fourth year volunteering as a guide and helper. Man the weather sucked with flooded areas, 6 plus inches of rain and cold wind. However, a very gracious God blessed the group with just enough breaks in the weather to allow hunters to get into the blinds. On a weekend of horrendous mud and rain the 16 hunters from 9 (maybe 10) states managed to kill 8 birds and the 9th was a miss. Some very nice long beards were taken and some hunter's killed their very first turkey. I don't know the final scoring, but last a knew a great young lady confined to a wheelchair had the leading bird at 23lbs 8ozs with beard and spurs to be measured. This is an intense weekend and at 70 years old I don't know how many years I can keep up the pace and grind, but it is an incredible blessing to be a part of. When they post up a summary on their facebook page I'll post a link. Mid last week it was debated to cancel the hunt and there was little expectation of much success, but after some serious consideration all parties agreed to go for it and man was that a good decision. Kudos to Ohio division of forestry and Ohio Division of Wildlife for assistance over and above to make this happen.

Sadly some poacher decided to crash the hunt and shot a bird in front of one of our hunters. They haven't caught him but are investigating and on the trail.

[Greg Massey]

AWESOME and congrats to everyone ..

This is what it's all about making great memories ...

[3bailey3]

Awesome, congrats to all involved!

[JeffC]

Glad you all had a safe and successful hunt and thank you for all that you do to give these people a great hunt.

[zelmo1]

Thanks eggshell, we should all do our part to help the less fortunate, ESPECIALLY OUR VETERANS. Sorry for raising my voice, I truly think we owe veterans more than they get. Z

[Tom007]

Nice job, great thing you did there. Thank you, hope they nail that poacher!

[eggshell]

Thx all, When you see a grown arse man break down in emotions because he can't believe someone would go to these lengths to honor him, you know you've done a good thing!

The only reason we had so much success is because some of the guides practically lived with these turkeys in the woods for 10 days before the hunt. We knew where they eat, loved, slept and traveled and done it without spooking birds.  There's a lot to learn from that.

[Zobo]

It's folks like you eggshell that make a difference in the world, a real difference, not just talk. Congratulations to you on a successful outcome and your part in helping such a deserving group access the turkey woods.

[RutnNStrutn]

Thank you for helping out our wounded warriors. 

[Happy]

Very well done, Dana. I am sure this means the world to the participants.

[WV Flopper]

Thanks to all that supported this effort!

Very good thing.

[eggshell]

If you want to see some pictures and read some comments on the hunt, here is a link to teh hunt manger's facebook page. Many of the successful hunter's guides have posted there. No my hunter did not get a bird. We were the ones the poacher shot the bird in front of. Wildlife officers have a lead and hopefully close it.

https://www.facebook.com/smith.white.greg

[Paulmyr]

Kudos to you Dana and everyone involved. Thanks for taking care of the men and women who took care of us!

[squidd]

Nicely done for the Vets and know it's very rewarding to both hunters and guides!!

[Muzzy61]

Great job and thanks for your support of out vets.