Hunt #1 - Rend Lake Deer Hunt for the Disabled

History: Around 1982, Dale Miller, Rend Lake Corp Ranger, had the idea of hosting a deer hunt for disabled hunters. The idea soon became a reality at Rend Lake. Miller was good friends with fellow ranger and Sesser-Valier school teacher Gene Morgan. Morgan, founder for the Outdoorsmen Club in 1978, saw a perfect marriage of the club members and the hunt. In the fall1983, the Outdoorsmen Club began hosting the hunt (providing all volunteer services). Since that year, the Outdoorsmen Club members have proudly taken up to 30 disabled hunters into the field each year for a weekend of firearms deer hunting.

Hunt Activities: An Outdoorsmen member is paired with a specific hunter long before the hunt begins. The member will then be assigned to build "their" hunter's opening day blind during the blind building phase of preparation.

Then after a busy evening of preparing for and cleaning up the Deer Banquet (getting done at 11:00 PM) the members must check in at 3:30 AM to prepare for their hunter's arrival. When their hunter arrives, the Outdoorsmen Club (OC) "guide" will escort the hunter to the proper travel caravan. Once the hunter is "staged", the OC guide will get breakfast for the hunter. While the hunter is enjoying their breakfast, their OC guide will check for the hunters permit, retrieve their Corp radio, get shells, and scent bags. The guide also checks on flashlights, snacks, etc. to make sure the hunter is completely ready to hunt. Before daylight, the caravans will leave for their designated area. The OC guide will ride with their hunter to their parking spot, escort the hunter to their blind, place scent, secure the hunter, and wish them well before leaving.

Once the OC guide has been picked up, he/she will be taken back to Deer Camp and wait on that faithful call, "Deer Down" from their lucky hunter. Then the tracking, retrieving, and congratulating are in order. Finally, each guide is allowed to field dress their hunter's deer IF they desire. Each field dressing is supervised by a competent adult instructor. Most deer hunt days, while beginning at 3:30 AM will not conclude until around 6:30 PM.

CONTACT INFO: Sesser-Valier Outdoorsmen Club 4626 State Hwy 154, Sesser, IL 62884 (618)625-5105 x137

Mike Sample, sponsor -- Brandon Dilliner, asst. sponsor

The Bonds: The Deer Hunt is about so much more than just providing an opportunity for someone to shoot a deer. The bond developed between hunter and guide is one that lives on long after graduation of the guide. Many hunters and guides share Christmas cards and other correspondents. Many guides and hunters will get together outside the Hunt and Club activities with their families. Some of our most outdoor oriented guides even have hosted their hunter in other hunting activities such as waterfowl and bow hunts.

Hunt #1 - George Bolender of NY has put in touch with an outfitter near Quincy, IL that is interested in doing an archery deer hunt for our disabled hunters. He will attempt to plan the hunt during the IL rut. Crossbows are legal for the disabled if you obtain an IL permit. Bunk style lodging is included in the hunt, but food is not. The lodge does have a full kitchen facility. Hunting will be done from blinds and he does have ladder stands for the disabled that can climb. If you were to attend you could even ship your blind there for him to set up if you prefer to use your own. Each hunter can take a 8 point or better buck and a doe. The hunt will be in the IL Tri-county area, right next to 'big buck famous' Pike County, IL. I need to know how many people would be interested, as soon as possible. I am not looking for a firm commitment, just people who believe they would be interested at these rates which have been reduced for our hunters:

3 days hunting - $750.00 5 days hunting - $1,200.00

Please email me at dsullivan@buckmasters.com as soon as possible if you think you would be interested. If we have enough interest he will proceed with working everything out for the hunts.

Hunt #2 - Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America has an annual bowhunt in Illinois. Check their site at PCBA for info on how to get signed up.

Hunt #3 - 3 day archery hunt on the private farms near Quincy, IL for October, (during the rut). Brad has a comfortable block building and a mobile home (these are not accessible) where hunters can stay for no charge. If hunters need accessible lodging, Brad will contribute up to $25 per night, for three nights (a total of $75) to help pay for a motel room in nearby Quincy, IL. BADF Disabled Services will contribute a matching amount. Licenses are sold over the counter for archery and cost about $135 for non-residents (not included in the hunt price). Food is not provided, but Brad’s lodging facilities have full kitchens. The regular cost of Brad’s archery rut hunt is $950, he is offering the hunt to our challenged hunters for $750. A 50% deposit will be required after you are approved for the hunt by BADF Disabled Services. Crossbow may be used in IL if you go through their application process.

Hunt #4 - 4 Day Shotgun hunt on the private farms near Quincy, IL for November to December. Brad has a comfortable block building and a mobile home (these are not accessible) where hunters can stay for no charge. If hunters need accessible lodging, Brad will contribute up to $25 per night, for four nights (a total of $100) to help pay for a motel room in nearby Quincy, IL. BADF Disabled Services will contribute a matching amount. This hunt is a DRAW hunt. Brad says our group will have a good chance of being drawn (as a group). If hunters are accepted for the hunt by BADF and not drawn, their deposit will be refunded promptly. The license fee is around $135 for non-residents (not included in the hunt price). Applications are available July 15th, and must be returned by August 14th to the state of IL. Food is not provided, but Brad’s lodging facilities have full kitchens. The regular cost of Brad’s 2nd season shotgun hunt is $1,300, he is offering the hunt to our challenged hunters for $1,000. A 50% deposit will be required after you are approved for the hunt by BADF Disabled Services. How to Apply for One of these Hunts These hunts will be filled as the applications come in. On each hunt we will take 3-4 people, depending upon the types of disabilities. Please apply only if you are serious about attending. All accepted hunters must have a 50% deposit in to Brad by June 1st. The deadline for applying is April, or until the hunts fill, which ever comes first. You may apply for both hunts separately of you wish. If you are interested please provide the information requested below by mail or email to: David Sullivan BADF Disabled Services 11802 Creighton Avenue Northport, AL 35475 dsullivan@buckmasters.com

Hunt #5 - Buckmasters American Deer Foundation (BADF) Disabled Services is partnering with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Disabled Outdoor Opportunity (DOO) program to offer two special archery deer hunts for people with disabilities. These hunts will be hosted by the Giant City State Park in Makanda, Illinois, and will take place on park property that is normally closed to hunting.

The hunt dates are November. A minimum of ten hunters will participate in each hunt. I recently met with Jay Williams, Bob Martin and John Owens (all with the IL DNR) to establish these hunts. We saw numerous deer while touring the hunt site, which by the way, backs up to a 3,200 acre game preserve where absolutely no hunting is ever allowed. The opportunity for success should be excellent. Hunting will be from assigned ground blinds and volunteers will be on hand to assist if someone can’t bring a hunting partner. We will be taking applications from person’s wishing to participate in this event until September, at which time a drawing will take place to determine participants.

You do not have to be an Illinois resident to apply, but each disabled individual applying must provide: A copy of an Illinois P2A Disability Card, or a copy of an official document that confirms type and extent of disability Completed official application form These hunts will allow each disabled archery hunter to bring a buddy with them. This person can hunt too, if his disabled friend is drawn. The buddy has to be within sight distance of the disabled hunter and must sign an agreement concerning his/her conduct. Lodging is available within Giant City State Park, which has four accessible cabins that can be rented for $55.00 per night. Several other cabins that are available that are not wheelchair accessible. Camping is available from $7 to $11 per night, and there are numerous motels in nearby towns if hunters do not want to stay in the park. Hunters can bring their own meals, or dine at the parks restaurant. Go here for more info: http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/gc.htm A valid IL archery deer permit, habitat stamp, and license are required of each hunter after being drawn (about $160 for non residents). If a disabled hunter has a friend with them who is not hunting, the non-hunting companion does not need a license, permit or stamp. Permits, licenses and stamps can be purchased by phone after notification of being drawn for the hunt. Residents and non-residents born on or after January, 1980, must have proof of passing a hunter safety course in order to get a license. Non-residents can obtain a crossbow permit from IL if they meet the criteria. We ask that all hunters intending to use a crossbow on these hunts either: have a valid permit for IL, or be in the process of obtaining one at the time of applying. The application process involves a form that a physician must complete. Crossbow applications can be obtained by contacting Jay Williams, DOO’s coordinator, at 618-439-9111. IL DNR Disabled Outdoor Opportunity website is at: www.dnr.state.il.us/doo/index.htm , there is also an Adobe pdf crossbow application there. After receiving notification, all participants drawn for these hunts will be required to provide proof that: they have purchased an archery deer permit and license, and that they have approval to use a crossbow in IL (if hunting with a crossbow). Proof of a deer permit and crossbow permit must be provided to us by October 1st, 2001. For specific questions about the hunt contact Bob Martin or John Owens with Giant City State Park at 618-457-4836, or David Sullivan with BADF Disabled Services at 205-339-2800. How to Apply If it comes through, I have attached an Adobe pdf file to this email with the application form. You will need Adobe Reader to open it and print it out. Just fill out the form, provide a copy of your proof of disability as requested on the form, and send it U.S. Mail to the address below before September 1st, 2001. If you can’t open the attached file and print it, just send an e-mail to dsullivan@buckmasters.com with your U.S. Mail address and request an IL Giant City Park Hunt applicaion form. David Sullivan BADF Disabled Services 11802 Creighton Avenue Northport, AL 35475

Hunt #6 - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is committed to providing greater access and more programs for persons with disabilities. We want to make it easier for disabled individuals to hunt, fish and pursue other outdoor activities. In 1999, these issues were addressed by establishing a new program entitled "Disabled Outdoor Opportunities." Objectives for this program include: establishing partnerships with organizations representing people with disabilities and working cooperatively to mainstream DNR programs and facilities to better meet the needs of the individuals they represent, review existing DNR recreational opportunities to identify and eliminate barriers to participation, develop and coordinate training programs for staff and continually provide knowledge on the basic needs and concerns of this segment by working with DNR site planners and engineers to develop integrated barrier free designs for recreational facilities. Disabled hunters can participate in deer, pheasant, waterfowl and dove hunting at various sites throughout Illinois. A number of fishing events are held each year as well. DNR's intention is to expand these opportunities so more individuals may take part. One example of a successful event is at Rock Cut State Park where hunters have participated in shotgun deer hunts for several years now. For more information about the Disabled Outdoor Opportunities program, contact:

Charlie Pangle, P.O. Box 992, Bourbonnais, IL 60914, e-mail Charlie @ cpangle@dnrmail.state.il.us or by telephone (815) 929-1223,

or Jay Williams, 503 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812, e-mail Jay @ jwilliams1@dnrmail.state.il.us or by telephone (618) 439-9111. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------