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Women in
Outdoors Wheelin' Sportsman
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With
the same dedication it has brought to restoring wild turkey populations across
North America, the NWTF is delivering, and in some cases re-introducing, the
beauty and excitement of the outdoors to thousands of disabled people through
its outreach program Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF. The Little Sandy Chapter of the NWTF Present the Fourth AnnualCamp Robert C.Webb
What: A gathering of disabled and able-bodied persons for a weekend of whitetail deer hunting Where: Camp Robert C. Webb, Camp Webb Road, Grayson Lake, Carter County, Kentucky When: October 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2010
Participants will be teamed-up with a guide who will assist them while hunting. Little Sandy Limbhangers Chapter and other volunteers will provide Meals , transportation at the park, blinds and firearms, if needed.
Please note: Hunters may stay at Camp Webb free of charge for this event.
If selected, the Little Sandy Limbhangers Chapter will contact you with additional information.
**Must be received by August 1, 2010** Please send completed, Pre-registration /Release Waiver and Hunters Profile to: Little Sandy NWTF Chapter
Phillip Coldiron Event Coordinator 285 Mockingbird Lane Irvin, KY 40336 502-229-4128
HEARTLAND CHAPTER HOSTS 5TH ANNUAL WHEELING SPORTSMEN CATFISH ROUND-UP By Lynn Shagool - Wheelin' Sportsmen Coordinator, Heartland Chapter
The Heartland Chapter extends its sincere
thanks to Village Green Nursery & Landscaping
Thus far, through the NWTF's Wheelin' Sportsmen outreach program, the Heartland Chapter has provided outdoor opportunities for nearly 180 disabled individuals. The chapter was also recognized at the NWTF National Convention, in February of this year, where it was presented the award for "Best Wheelin' Sportsmen Fishing Event for 2008". Congratulations, Heartland Chapter! Keep up the good work!
SHELLEY NICKELL CHAPTER & KENTUCKY STATE CHAPTER HOST WOUNDED WARRIOR WILD TURKEY HUNT - APRIL 21 & 22, 2009 By Pat Williams - Shelley Nickell Chapter
Members of the Wounded Warrior Battalion were Michael Collins (Montclair, VA), Daniel Dickerson (Brunt Hills, NY), Luke Baldwin (Lewiston, ID), Steven McNeal (Anderson, IN), John Smelley (Altoona, PA), Jesse Ordunez (Murray, KY), David Barnes (Modesto, CA), and Ronald Gullion (Alexandria, IN). Also hunting were wounded veterans Kyle Finley (wounded in Iraq) and J.L. Hendricks (who is a Purple Heart recipient) both from Cadiz, KY. Greeting the Battalion members were over 70 individuals who included: upper level Sponsors, Fish and Wildlife Officers, volunteer guides, NSSP camera crews, volunteer camera crews and members of the Shelley Nickell Chapter. Chapter member Rob Spedding, a 101st veteran and CSM Michael Collins presented an NWTF veteran pin to all veterans attending. Each member of the Wounded Warrior Battalion was presented with a special edition cap made for this event. Following the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag and invocation, everyone enjoyed a great meal and the opportunity to meet the Wounded Warriors and make assignments of guides and camera crews for each hunter.
During the evening, ten hunting parties were assembled so each hunter could get to know his guide and film crew while making plans for the hunt the following morning. A special gift was offered by veteran Jeff Wendell, owner of Visual Taxidermy, to provide a free mount of birds harvested. The mount would be the hunter's choice of either a full body mount or tail fan mount.
The group met at 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning for breakfast at Smiley's Levee Cafe before departing to various hunting locations where blinds had been set up. This being the first hunt for many, the excitement was tremendous as each hunter had hopes of winning the pursuit of the "Bronze Denizen of the Forest". Hunters and guides were instructed to return to the Smith Lodge if birds were bagged for a weigh-in, official scoring and photos. At 6:55 a.m., the first bird was checked in. Steven McNeal bagged his first gobbler followed by John Smelley, also his first and J.L. Hendricks. Daniel Dickerson checked in without a bird, but said it did not matter. "This was just one great morning. I did not get a bird, but I heard one gobble and I'll get one next time!" He referred to the hunt as "camouflaged therapy" and he had a wonderful time. Another soldier said he has never seen such outpouring from a community who cared so much for their healing. Part of their treatment is morale and events like this, when you actually get to go out and do something like this, are a great boost to the healing process. Events like this are a great way to help restore their lives. Everyone gathered at the American Legion in Burna, KY., for lunch that was provided by members of SNC, American Legion Post #217 of Burna, V.F.W. Post #12022 of Marion, KY., and serving was assisted by six members of Livingston County Middle School NSSP chapter. Following lunch, members of the Wounded Warrior Battalion were presented certificates declaring each member an Honorary Kentucky Colonel. This brought about lots of fun between the soldiers regarding rank.
Members were also presented an NWTF circle flag pin, a veteran's pin, a knife, and a special edition hand-painted feather by Melissa Ball. The feather had an eagle and 101st painted on it which is the insignia of the Ft. Campbell unit and on the back of the print, a certificate of authenticity with the chapter name, date and location of the hunt.
Hunters who did not bag a bird earlier returned to the woods for the afternoon. Those who were successful earlier in the day were able to get in some crappie fishing back at the large lake on the lodge premises where a 2.5 lb. crappie was caught.
This was a wonderful event and we are already making plans for next year. We are very thankful we can do something in return for these young warriors for their service to our country. We want to express our thanks to Mr. Rex Smith for allowing us to use his beautiful facility for this event, Mr. Niki Matlock - Property Manager, our seven upper level sponsors for cash donations, blinds, and food, and to each member who served as a guide or on the camera crew for the event.
Below is a thank you letter written by one of the Wounded Warriors participants:
Dear Shelley Nickell Chapter, I just want to say thank you to each and every one of you that had a hand in the Wounded Warrior Turkey Hunt. I had a great time and it was a trip that I will never forget. It was so amazing to see all the people standing out in front of the lodge to greet us when we pulled up. You all made me/us feel so welcome. I understand than many of you took off work to be there and all of you gave up your precious time to be there. Thank you. Also, thank you for the meals that you all fed us. They were great, but it made me want to take a nap after lunch. We have a saying in the Army and that is, "if you want to get a soldier to do something, just feed him!" You all could have asked me to do anything after those meals. And Mark Marshall, and the other two guys I went out with that afternoon - Michael Joiner and William - Joiner, thank you for being such great guides. I enjoyed listening to you all call and I learned a lot. Mark, I can feel my legs now. Cody, thank you for filming during the morning hunt. Once more, thank you to all of you that had a hand in this, and thank you for the gifts and certificates that you all presented us with. This was a day that I will never forget for as long as I live. Thank you and God bless each of you!
Sincerely, SGT. Jesse D. Ordunez Wounded Warrior
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The
Heartland Chapter held its 5th Annual Wheelin' Sportsmen Catfish
Round-Up on Saturday, June 6, 2009, at the Village Green Nursery &
Landscaping in Elizabethtown, KY. The chapter hosted 53 disabled
participants and 36 guests of participants, who enjoyed a morning of
fishing followed by a catfish lunch. There were also several
drawings for rod and reel combos and gear and tackle bags. Each
participant also received either a Wheelin' Sportsmen tee-shirt or cap.
Heartland Chapter committee member were assisted by approximately 18
volunteers who provided angling and culinary support.
for the use of their facility, the Bernheim Chapter/NWTF volunteers, who
provided fish cleaning skills and entertainment, and the numerous
businesses and individuals who donated their time, resources and goods
and services to help make this another successful Wheelin' Sportsmen
event. Thank you to the 34 volunteers who gave of their time and
hard work.
The
Shelley Nickell Chapter and the Kentucky State Chapter were hosts to a two-day event and turkey hunt for
members of the Wounded Warriors Transition Battalion from Fort Campbell
Kentucky on April 21-22, 2009. The event began with a
meet-and-greet social and dinner at the Smith Farm Hunting Lodge just
west of Smithland, KY, Tuesday evening April 21st.
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