|
 OZARK
- On a cool, crisp November weekend, eight physically disabled hunters
were able to take part in an Arkansas tradition.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife officers from seven of the
state's 12 enforcement division districts nominated a physically
disabled hunter to participate in a hunt at Contran Corporation, a
privately owned recreational resort nestled in the Ozarks of northwest
Arkansas. All of the hunters harvested a doe over the three-day hunt.
This special hunt began seven years ago when Contran Corporation
manager, David Kinney, called Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife
management division and asked for help with the overpopulation of doe on
the 3,200-acre property. Contran was given extra permits to harvest the
doe.
AGFC wildlife officer Lt. Charles Bonner knew Kinney from working in the
surrounding district and suggested that Contran and the AGFC host a
physically disabled hunt with some of the permits. “This all came about
because the private land owner and wildlife officers had a working
relationship,” Bonner said. “We cannot express how much we appreciate
the land owner for his cooperation with these hunts.”
The Fraternal Order of Police Wildlife Officers Lodge 41 and the
Arkansas Wildlife Officers Association also assisted the hunt by
donating $600 to help three of the families with travel and lodging
expenses
This was the first time for most of the hunters to have a chance to
harvest a deer. Only one had harvested deer before an ATV accident left
him paralyzed.
“Under normal circumstances a lot of physically disabled hunters will
not have the opportunity to harvest deer, “ Bonner said. “This hunt
helps the landowner control the population and in return, provide a
safe, quality hunt for physically disabled people.
Shawn Bonner, 19, of Walnut Ridge, harvested his first doe, weighing 125
pounds, during the hunt.
Shawn was injured in a four-wheeler accident in May this year. The
accident left him a quadriplegic. “This feels wonderful,” Shawn said.
“You dream of coming to a place like this and getting the opportunity to
hunt.
The hunters, along with their guide and their parent or guardian, set up
in blinds on the property and waited for the right moment. After a
harvest, Contran employees field dressed, collected biological data,
checked, tagged and packed the deer meat for the hunters to transport
home.
The hunt is more than just trying to keep the deer population under
control.
“We would rather see the deer go to someone who has never harvested a
deer or had the opportunity to shoot a deer,” he said. “To see their
smile brings a great deal of enjoyment to us.” |
