Are you yearning to wake up in the wee hours of the morning and head outside with a rifle or fishing pole in your hand? The Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF (National Wild Turkey Federation) organization gives people with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors by wheelchair accessible hunting, fishing and shooting.
Created in 2000, the group partners with state and federal wildlife agencies, NWTF chapters and corporate sponsors to hold events across the country. They welcome the participation of people with any type of disability to most of their programs. Occasionally, Wheelin’ Sportsmen teams up with Disabled American Veterans in order to target returning veterans with disabilities.
Anyone can become a member of Wheelin’ Sportsmen, but membership is not necessary to participate fully in their events. The organization is dedicated to the promotion of confidence and self-esteem. Making friends and getting outside are encouraged in all of their activities.
Members receive Wheelin’ Sportsmen magazine at no extra cost. A recent issue featured articles on fishing, growing your own bait, a Turkey Call photography contest, profiles of four youth who have enjoyed the program and an alligator vendetta initiated by a man whom the reptile left paraplegic.
A sampling of Wheelin’ Sportsmen events on their website lists Ultimate Team-Up hunts where an able-bodied person is partnered with a hunter with a disability, the Does for Does program that features women with disabilities pairing for non-competitive hunting and fellowship with able-bodied women hunters, Ultimate Duos for youth hunters and Fishing Round-Ups for all ages.
Visit Wheelin' Sportsmen for more information.
