|
AUBURN — Hunters Helping Hunters hosted its third annual Bow White Tailed Deer Hunt this past weekend in DeKalb County. Both guest hunters were able to harvest deer.
This is the second 2009 White Tailed deer hunt in DeKalb County. HHH also hosted its first Youth White Tailed deer hunt Sept. 26. The guest hunters were Nathanial Walburn of Auburn and Martin Schwartz of Fort Wayne. In the most recent hunt James Ezell, with his helper Nick Hoffman, both residents of Fort Wayne, harvested a button buck and a doe. This is the first deer James has been able to harvest with a bow since his car accident 14 years ago. The accident left James paralyzed and in a wheelchair. James is able to use a compound bow with which he releases the trigger with a movement from his face. The additional platform within the elevated blind designed by Lewis Steury, Hunters Helping Hunters board member from Hicksville, Ohio, elevated James, allowing him to get the proper angle to be able to harvest the deer. After harvesting his button buck on Friday, James wanted all that were gathered for dinner to know how thankful he was for Hunters Helping Hunters. He was introduced to HHH when he accessed the Southwest Conservation Club Web site last summer. The conservation club hosted its fourth Hunters Helping Hunters benefit in July of 2009. James was able to attend the benefit and meet members of HHH. Joe Schwartz of Monroe was able to harvest a button buck during his last hunting opportunity Saturday afternoon. Joe also benefited from Lewis Steury’s elevated platform within the permanent blind. Joe’s brothers Wesley and Lee joined him as helpers. Hunters Helping Hunters now has 11 permanent above-ground blinds to keep disabled and seriously ill hunters out of the elements. Seven of the blinds are in DeKalb County, including one built by the Auburn Elks Club; one in Lagrange County; and three in Parke County. Each blind is elevated eight feet off the ground with a sturdy 35-foot wheelchair-accessible ramp. Lewis Steury and his son Marcus, a former HHH hunter, designed the blinds. Hunters Helping Hunters is a 501 (C)(3) non-profit organization. Hunters Helping Hunters’ mission is to improve the quality of life for physically challenged and or seriously ill hunters. This is accomplished by providing hunting opportunities to those who would not otherwise have the ability or resources to fulfill outdoor adventures. By providing hunting opportunities and fellowship with other hunters, our purpose is to inspire hope and to build confidence in these individuals, empowering them to face challenges they encounter every day.
|
