The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) sponsors a nationwide program known as Wheelin’ Sportsmen, which allows wheelchair-users or otherwise mobility-limited people to experience hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities that they might not otherwise participate in. In Wheelin’ Sportsmen events, mobility-limited people are paired with able-bodied volunteers who assist them in outdoor recreation, at no cost to the participant with disabilities.

This spring, we will hold the second annual Wheelin’ Sportsmen wild turkey hunt at the West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area. This area is owned and managed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), and many of you may know the area by the names “KOW” or “West McCracken Wildlife Reserve”. For those of you who don’t know, spring turkey hunting is a sport that is very exciting and challenging for anyone, and difficult for someone who is mobility-limited to experience without special circumstances. KDFWR has created special regulations making this WMA open only for a two-day youth turkey hunt and a two-day Wheelin’ Sportsmen hunt each spring.

This event will be held on April 30-May 1 and is organized to host approximately twelve mobility-limited hunters on a hunt that will allow folks who have turkey hunted a chance to go again and will allow those without experience a chance to try turkey hunting. Again, prior hunting experience is NOT necessary, and clothing and equipment will be available for those who don’t have their own. While the program is intended primarily for those in wheelchairs, anyone with a mobility-limiting condition is eligible.

Last year’s hunt involved seven disabled hunters who were able to get afield and experience a fine weekend, with three turkey gobblers being bagged. This year, we hope to involve more participants and volunteers to serve as assistants or otherwise help with the event. If we receive interest from a couple extra disabled folks, we will try to adjust our plans to involve everyone; however, if a large number of folks apply, we will draw from the pool to select a manageable-size group of hunters. Volunteers may be needed to help with meals or transportation, to act as hunting “guides”, or maybe just be “gofers”, so hunting experience isn’t a requirement to be a volunteer helping with the event.

Last year, we had hunters with disabilities who had a significant drive to get to the WMA for this event. We had some funds, provided by the NWTF, to help pay for hotel rooms for the disabled hunters if they are from “out of town.” Several businesses and groups donated breakfast donuts, drinks, and mid-day meals last year, and we hope to do the same this spring.

Thanks for taking the time to hear about this event, and we hope to hear from you or someone you know who’d like to participate in or help with this program. If you’d like to sign up or need more information, I can be reached at 270-488-3233 or at 270-994-7620. You may also contact Erin Tucker, who works as an Occupational Therapist at Lourdes Hospital, at 270-444-2231. For those who would like to participate as hunters in this event, please respond by Friday, April 8, to give us time for planning.