Safari Club’s annual hunt rolls to success
The Lowcountry Chapter of Safari Club International held its 6th annual Wounded Warrior and wheelchair deer hunt November 8 – 9. Nearly 40 Wounded Warriors came from Parris Island Marine Base in Beaufort and from around the country to participate.
South Carolina Disabled Sportsman President Bobby Harrell and QDMA’s Ace Basin Chapter were there to provide support, along with a boatload of volunteers. SCI helped to provide the rifles for those that needed one and the hunter and guide pairing took place at the organizational meeting at Nemours Plantation. Live oaks wrapped in patriotic bunting, flag waving volunteers, and even a Marine Corps band greeted the hunters.
SCI hunt organizer Mark Peterson said, “Volunteers get out of this hunt what they put into it and some of them come from other SCI chapters, while others are caring members of the local community. SCI’s logo is First For Hunters and this hunt is a great example of the psychological benefits to everyone from simply going hunting.”
With a spectacular fall flavor to the weather, the hunters and guides fanned out across 20 different properties in Beaufort and Colleton Counties to hunt for white-tailed deer. While not everyone gets to harvest a deer, everyone gets a piece of venison to take home from the total harvest. Those who harvested a buck receive complimentary taxidermy thanks to Mike Dryden of Beaufort’s Lowcountry taxidermy who challenged his peers to donate taxidermy services to the Wounded Warriors.
The NRA donated a knife to each hunter gift bag and a free one-year membership. “We support this event each year and we have a 139-year history of supporting military causes,” said Herb Lanford, a board member of the National Rifle Association.
Patriotism was in focus and other speakers noted that freedom comes at a price and that these assembled wounded warriors have paid a toll so that others can enjoy freedom. It was agreed that the support for veterans needs to continue and that momentum needs to be maintained on this front. Assembled dignitaries included Congressman Joe Wilson, Gen. Padilla (Commander of Parris Island), and outdoor writer Jim Zumbo who brought his television crew to film the hunt.
Youngsters also hunted through the Outdoor Dream Foundation and SCDNR’s Take One Make One program as the plantations of the Lowcountry hosted two hunters each. Hunter Chad Fullwood of Fort Pierce, Florida was on his first deer hunt in the Lowcountry and managed to harvest a nice 6-point buck. Hunter Tucker Hudson was able to harvest two does during the evening hunt, and then a big 8-point the next morning.
Ernie Wiggers, Executive Director for Nemours Plantation said “this hunt would not be possible if it weren’t for the private landowners opening up their properties for these special hunters.”
To see more photos from the event or to leave a comment visit the SCI post on the SouthCarolinaSportsman.com forum here.
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