If you live in rural America, deer season is a good time to lay low. Literally. Brandon forwarded me this story from the AP wire:
Center for the Blind students get a shot at deer hunting
11/6/2005, 12:05 p.m. CT
The Associated PressRUSTON, La. (AP) — Six people from the Louisiana Center for the Blind in Ruston got an opportunity this past weekend to do something they never thought they’d be able to do — go deer hunting.
Toting shotguns, the blind hunters were part of the “Shot in the Dark” hunt in Caldwell Parish organized by the National Wild Turkey Federation. The hunt on Saturday and Sunday was the first time the Wheelin’ Sportsmen, an outreach effort by the federation, has been held.
“This hunt was set up to help folks with disabilities get out and have an outdoor experience,” said Greg Brown, Wheelin’ Sportsmen regional coordinator.
The six hunters got their first chance Friday to practice shooting at the Ouachita Parish Public Shooting Range just east of Monroe.
Each is teamed with a guide who sits behind him or her.
As a hunter holds the gun, a guide looks over the hunter’s shoulder down the barrel and tells the hunter where to adjust the aim and when to pull the trigger.
Each hunter was also briefed on safety procedures.
Jumar Johnson, 29, smiled proudly after taking his first shots at a paper target. He carried around his target, which showed a bullseye hit in the center.
“I didn’t think anybody would trust me out in the woods,” Johnson said. “This will be my first time to hunt, and I’m looking forward to taking home the biggest deer out there.”
With the cooperation of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the hunt was held on an island near the Columbia Locks and Dam. Lead Park Ranger Tony Porter said the island features about 350 acres of good hunting land.
Blind hunters? Not as uncommon as you think. Check out Richard’s story, and others like him.