Disabled Hunters Reunite in Pennsylvania to Celebrate 25 Years of Wheelin’ Sportsmen

Before the sun rose on a cold, clear morning, 20 hunters with disabilities met with their guides and set out for their blinds. Shortly after, dedicated volunteers led by Tara Wetzel, USACE biologist, gathered at the visitor center to plan the morning’s first deer drive. They stood in a line and began slowly walking through the forest to drive any deer out toward the hunters. Volunteers strategically conducted several more deer drives as the morning went on to help as many hunters as possible. 

There was also a group of students from Juniata College that came to volunteer and drive deer for the disabled hunters. 

Wetzel has been involved with the chapter’s Wheelin’ Sportsmen hunt since the beginning, missing only the first year. She has been pivotal in organizing the hunt and ensuring it continues seamlessly year after year. 

“I have met so many great people through this event,” she said. “Now, my family comes to help volunteer and meet the same people I got to meet. I was born and raised in a family that views hunting as a tradition. I think it’s important to be able to continue that tradition and make sure it's available to any person, regardless of their ability.”   

The morning yielded success for two hunters early on, including Marv Miller, a Vietnam veteran, who shot a doe at an incredibly difficult angle and distance. Miller said he plans to give his harvested meat to his neighbor that is going through a difficult time.  

Volunteers met Miller at his blind to find and field dress the doe, which is something they did for each participating hunter. One of those volunteers was Wetzel’s youngest son, age 6, who was eager to participate. 

Miller has had the opportunity to watch the boy grow up over the last few years by attending this event. This year, Miller gifted the boy a .177-caliber Ruger air rifle for Christmas and gave it to him at the lunch that followed. 

As the morning became the afternoon, volunteers and hunters started to pack up to warm up. Seven does were harvested in total, which were all processed on-site for hunters to take home. Following the hunt, everyone was invited to the Smithfield Fire Hall for lunch. Here, hunters retold stories from their blinds, and the room erupted with conversation and laughter.  

The hunt was co-founded by Chris Bowser, former NWTF Terrace Mountain Chapter president, and Jeff Krause, USACE chief of natural resources management, when the NWTF first launched its National Wheelin’ Sportsmen program. The pair thought it would provide an opportunity for hunters with disabilities to enjoy the outdoors, while also controlling the population of deer on the property.  

“A lot of these hunters kill their first deer with us,” said Denny Horn, current NWTF Terrace Mountain Chapter president. “For a lot of people, this is the only opportunity they have to get out and hunt. They like coming back and being a part of what we do.”