Twelve disabled hunters flocked to Woodlawn Preparatory School to register for Hope Outdoors’ hunt Friday, and then they enjoyed a lot of fun and fellowship in the woods over the weekend. A host of people from Marion County came together to make the special hunt happen.
Hope Outdoors, which began in 2006, helps people with disabilities get back into the woods, with 15 chapters across seven states. Brent Pendleton, director of the recovery center at Woodlawn Church and board member of Hope Outdoors, said it’s spreading really fast as more people see what the organization is doing and want to get involved.
“We do local fundraisers here, and we’re able to raise money for the food and hotels for the families that come,” he said.
Seven people donated private land for the weekend hunt, and Life Church, First Baptist Church, Church on Main, Sandy Hook Machine Shop and Bumpers Tires and Accessories provided meals as well. Several experienced hunters tagged along to guide participants through their hunts, and there was a team who helped clean deer for hunters to bring home.
“It’s a community effort,” Pendleton said, “all across the board. Not only did we get landowners, but we got some really quality land.”
Pendleton said Jeff Dungan, a Columbia engineer, spearheaded the effort to get the landowners together.
Four Marion County residents — Everett Jones, Andy Miller, Jeremy Hamilton and Terry Dement — participated in the Hope Outdoors event.
Prior to the hunt, Hamilton said he was very excited for the opportunity and had been looking forward to it for a while.
“I’m hoping to get either a buck or doe, either one,” he said. “It’s probably going to be a good experience.”
Lisa Hibley, Hamilton’s mom, said the technology provided, such as track chairs and easy-to-use triggers, make it a lot easier and safer for disabled hunters.
“It’s not as easy getting wheelchairs (in the woods) and getting that type of access,” she said. “They’re making it so easy.”
Pictured Above: From left, Lauren Hale, Ashley Hale and Clare Herring pose with a trophy hog shot during the Hope Outdoors hunt this weekend in Marion County. Hope Outdoors allows disabled hunters the access and technology to hunt they otherwise would not have. Twelve hunters participated in the weekend event with support from multiple landowners, businesses and churches. | Photo Submitted
