For many disabled veterans, the greatest enjoyment of hunting is experiencing firsthand the great outdoors while sharing the camaraderie with fellow hunters. The United Special Sportsman Alliance recently held its annual deer and pheasant hunt for disabled veterans in Wisconsin.
Among the participants was Jim Schepper, a disabled veteran who served in the 25th Infantry Division of the Army, known as “Tropic Lightning.” In 2023, he sustained a severe injury that resulted in limited use of his hands and arms, leading him to rely on an electric wheelchair. While sitting in the blind with his guide, Don Houser, Jim spotted a few small deer on the screen of the adaptive shooting device, though they were about 150 yards away. About twenty minutes later, two large does and one smaller doe appeared within shooting range.
With excellent guidance from Don, Jim felt prepared to take his shot. He recalls, “I sucked on the straw, and it fired, and the doe went down like a ton of bricks! I was excited; it was the first deer I ever shot that landed on its back with all four legs sticking up in the air.” The following afternoon, they returned to the blind and saw eleven does come over a hill in front of them, but unfortunately, they did not spot any bucks.
Scott Schindler is a disabled veteran who served four years as a combat engineer in the Army’s 39th Engineer Battalion. He shared his excitement about his first pheasant hunt, saying, “We had a highly experienced guide who thoroughly explained her dog’s role throughout the hunt, including tracking, flushing, and retrieving the pheasants. I enjoyed the outdoors so much that I overlooked my physical discomfort, even surprising myself with the distance I covered.
Scott’s wife, Diana, shared, “We had never seen a black pheasant before, and the one he shot was particularly striking. He was glowing with excitement when he retrieved his birds and then wore the traditional hat veterans wear when they get a bird.”
After a long break from hunting, Scott expressed his joy of returning to the field: “I was looking forward to getting my pheasants since I hadn’t hunted for twenty years due to my amputation and a broken ankle, making it difficult to manage the cold. I can’t retrieve any birds I shoot. However, the expert guides made the experience much easier, making me feel comfortable and focused instead of frustrated. It was incredibly fulfilling to engage in something I hadn’t been able to do for years because of my disabilities. My anxiety lessened significantly throughout the hunt, and my wife enjoyed sharing the experience alongside me.”
Both Jim and Scott encouraged other veterans to try hunting, emphasizing how it helped them focus on the positive aspects of the experience and foster camaraderie with fellow hunters and newfound friends.
Congratulations to the veterans on their successful hunts and the delicious pheasant and venison meals they can share with their families and friends. We thank the Jackson County Park & Wildlife volunteers for their dedication and guidance. Special thanks to Mike Wipfli, Brian Oleson, Guy Nue, and Darrell Kauth for their role in the hunts. We also appreciate Lynn Coleman’s generous memorial donation honoring her husband, Ron Coleman’s commitment and service to USSA. Lastly, thank you to all the financial donors who make these trips possible for our veterans. God bless!
If you are interested in getting involved or know of a deserving veteran, please contact us at [email protected].