Disabled shooters/hunting

[adnick]

I'm severely disabled, wounded in Iraq, and I know that there are others here,some better some worse.

I would like to hear your stories, things done to overcome, and problems needing solutions, equipment used.

For a while I stopped shooting "big guns" but found ways to overcome.

I use a 4x4 wheelchair because I can't use a 4 wheeler...

One of my biggest problems is finding people who will let me hunt, they don't always say it but they are worried about the liability. ( I'm in hunters heaven, TX Hill Country)

Can't even find varment hunting areas.

Also I always have to have someone travel with me if I'm gone more than a few hours, that increases expense, plus many outfitters don't understand .

I have 28 years in the military, and been hunting from early childhood.

I think there is a Market for disability gear/solutions.....Chime in!

 

[Hookturnr]

I'm not disabled myself but just read an article that cited the following sources:
Disabled hunter services
www.buckmasters.com/resources/badf/disabled-hunters.aspx
Adaptive equipment resources
www.buckmasters.com/resources/badf/adaptive-equipment.aspx
Kids hunting for a Cure
www.kidshuntingforacure.org
Veterean hunting services
www.huntforvets.com
Disabled Archers
www.uffdaclub.com

Hope this helps and thank you for your service! If you find your way to PA theres always somewhere and something to hunt around these parts..

 

[grit]

I am not disabled either. I have followed a story of a local gentleman who lost both his arms, to some degree. He posts videos on You tube. Calls himself the "No handed Bandit". His videos show how he does all kinds of things, from brushing his teeth to climbing trees. He does the videos to help other folks, and because it's meaningful to him. Watching his videos is humbling.

He displays enormous heart, courage, and determination, along with a sense of humor.

If you need a specialty product to help you hunt, it'd be my pleasure to help you build what you need.

Here, in Utah, we have abundant public land for hunting. It's difficult for me to imagine not being able to find a place to hunt.

Regards.

 

[adnick]

Thanks for the replies, and offers to help

Not meant to be a bitch/feel sorry thread......

I have problems traveling alone and with time / amount of time I can hunt--not all do, but some even have more issuesh

Public lands can be a help, but not always a solution depending on the state, type of hunt

I'm lucky that I have a family that lets me hunt, but it's 3 hours south....

Finding a place to varment hunt or practice long range shooting has been unsuccessful so far in my area ( in the land of 12' wire and African game )

I use a voice activated computer to read and write for me but research is difficult

I have come up with a few things:

Custom 4x4 wheelchair, tires like an ATV (took 3 years to get the VA to approve)

Custom muzzle brakes

A combo of tinted glasses and high power/high end scopes have allowed me to continue to shoot--with vision problems it's easy to tell the difference in glass, esp in certain conditions, another very expensive solution

High resolution, high intensity red lights have been a great help to me at night (green does not work for me)

Stock inserted recoil devices (expensive, only have one so far)

Form-fitting shirt with recoil insert

Thumb hole stocks are great for me, but I have been unable to find a maker for my BAR--I have other rifles but that was my first, and a gift

I joined a local preditor hunting club, allows me a couple more hunts per year


Love to quail hunt, but can't throw up the gun any more, wondering if someone has come up with a system to mount to an ATV or wheelchair? I can't use an ATV but others can, and it could be adapted

I have been told there is great Elk hunting on public lands in some states. Would be nice to know the where, when ect.... From hunters with know how in the area

Also if there are other big game options

This thread is about finding solutions/over coming problems, other great ideaslightbulb

 

[tinman13kup]

Congrats on the full steam ahead mindset. I cannot say I'm disabled, at least yet. I have tried to shoot off a 4 wheeler and the biggest issue I have found is with the pneumatic tires at such a low pressure (4psi) and the suspension. Both make for an unstable platform, but perhaps do-able with reasonable distances.
For getting a setup to shoot rifles, it would help to know what abilities you have, range of motions etc.

 

[kbaerg]

My Dad is Disabled (Quadruapledgic), He had a horse accident 24 years ago, So we Customized his ar-15 so he could shoot. Three years ago we had our FIRST Father/Son Hunting trip to west river SD to shoot some Prairie Dogs, That was the best day of my life . Here are some pics of what we made. Fisrt pic is my Dad (and our Shooting Range in the back ground). Second pic is the post we made to support his rifle it's a 12 volt actuator to raise and lower the rifle.

 

[SLOAN]

First thing, thank you for your service. Second each disablity is so complex, that i need info on range of limbs.Length of pull is critical to the shooter.Recoilpads an lead weigths can tame alot of weapons.If you can make it to vermont i know ican get you close to abear moose deer yote fish whatever,,be stong SLOANgun)

 

[adnick]

Kbaerg: That is outstanding , and you guys built that yourself? I'm not as disabled as your Dad, and that's great that you and he were able to go hunting together. I do know how hard it is for someone not to be able to do what use to be every day things.

That's the way to go after it!



SLOAN: You hit the nail right on the head, everyone is different and getting special items is soooo expensive....

Buckmasters (BADF) Disabled Services do great work, but to get an Adaptive Equipment grant the person cannot make more than $10k per year!

Now I have not applied, nor would I, those people need the items more than I do, but if that includes non-taxable income, then most disabled soldiers would not qualify...

I'm better off than the average disabled soldier, because of my rank and level of disability I make more than most. Just a simple wheelchair articulating arm can cost a couple of thousand$ and it just goes up from there...

The majority of people don't know that a soldier has his/her retirement pay taken back, by the amount they receive from the VA, the only government division that does not allow the individual to draw both earned and disability retirement.

Thanks so much for the hunting offer, my wife has always wanted to go to Vermont

Thanks,
Andy

 

[adnick]

Forgot to add: The Gracoil adj recoil system is great, just a lot of labor costs for installation....

 

[leadman]

My first post.
Here in Arizona disabled are allowed to shoot from inside a vehicle as long as it is off the road and not running. They can have an assistant to help them with tracking if needed and game retrevial. The gun can also be sighted by the assistant if needed.

Elk hunting this way is very doable with an excellent chance of taking game, especially for cow elk. I have seen many bulls also that could be taken this way.

I know it is a long way from where you are at but if you decide to try Az. contact me and we can talk.

 

[gjk5]

I'm severely disabled, wounded in Iraq, and I know that there are others here,some better some worse.

I would like to hear your stories, things done to overcome, and problems needing solutions, equipment used.

For a while I stopped shooting "big guns" but found ways to overcome.

I use a 4x4 wheelchair because I can't use a 4 wheeler...

One of my biggest problems is finding people who will let me hunt, they don't always say it but they are worried about the liability. ( I'm in hunters heaven, TX Hill Country)

Can't even find varment hunting areas.

Also I always have to have someone travel with me if I'm gone more than a few hours, that increases expense, plus many outfitters don't understand .

I have 28 years in the military, and been hunting from early childhood.

I think there is a Market for disability gear/solutions.....Chime in!

First off: thank you for your service.


Oddly enough I have been tasked by the owner of my company to find a disabled Colorado Vet for an elk hunt this year. He owns a large ranch and a guide service.

We (the company) sponsor a large country music festival here every year and Friday is always Military Day. I was asked to find a non-profit that specializes in taking disabled vets hunting.

In my research I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of some guys from The Fregoso Foundation (www.fregosofoundation.org) and Field of Dreams (www.fieldofdreamshuntprogram.org). These are some great guys, and they specialize in taking disabled vets hunting.

As it turns out we will be taking a disabled vet on an elk hunt this fall, this has been an overwhelmingly good experience for me, I cannot even express how grateful I am to these vets and how thrilled I am at the thought of taking one up to fill his tag. In addition we will be supplying the vet with a rifle and scope and all of the other gear so that he may continue to hunt in the future.

I also have been corresponding with the regional VA which is here in town, they took a blind vet hunting last year and he filled his tag.

I highly suggest you contact both of the organizations linked above and tell them a little about yourself and what you hope to do. Even if they cannot help you directly they should be able to put you in contact with someone more local.


For what it's worth, I grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and have hunted there and the Hill Country quite a bit. If you are unsuccessful in finding someone that does this work, please feel free to PM me. I still go hunting down there (going in November in fact) and may be able to help you out.

 

[FUNNRN2]

I am a critical care/trauma nurse and have a patient that could possibly end up a quadriplegic. He is a professional hunting guide and I am looking for as many ideas to cheer him up and give him hope to continue his career. Right now he has little hope and I am going to change that! Anything you guys have to offer, I would love!! I have actually made a future goal of equestrian therapy riding for injured soldiers.....maybe I will encourge him to have a dual business with me!! If I can somehow give back to our troops for what they have sacrificed for our freedom...I would be a very happy nurse!!!

Thank you!!! ... oh, and I am an avid hunter as well!

 

[WildRose]

I don't know how I missed this thread. PM sent.

Sine Pari brother.

 

[WildRose]

I am a critical care/trauma nurse and have a patient that could possibly end up a quadriplegic. He is a professional hunting guide and I am looking for as many ideas to cheer him up and give him hope to continue his career. Right now he has little hope and I am going to change that! Anything you guys have to offer, I would love!! I have actually made a future goal of equestrian therapy riding for injured soldiers.....maybe I will encourge him to have a dual business with me!! If I can somehow give back to our troops for what they have sacrificed for our freedom...I would be a very happy nurse!!!

Thank you!!! ... oh, and I am an avid hunter as well!

Do a search on remote control shooting/hunting on google. You wouldn't believe the options available today.