Whitetail Heritage of Ohio creates special experience for hunters

While bow season for deer hunting opened Sept. 28, a special hunt took place recently.

On Oct. 5 dozens of hunters with handicaps who may have never before fired a crossbow ascended on Pilgrim Hills Campground near Tiverton Center to enjoy the annual Whitetail Heritage of Ohio Deer Hunt.

The Whitetail Heritage group brought in 32 hunters to the event this year, many of them people with disabilities including individuals with developmental disabilities and people who are paralyzed, deaf and even blind.

The group sets up each individual with a specific hunting area, the guide and videographer and even provided a new crossbow and all the necessary gear, free of charge to each hunter.

“Our goal is to connect with first-time hunters and to create a wonderful experience for them,” said Mose Keim, board member president. “This event has been a blessing to all of us, and it’s wonderful to see the excitement and emotion in each person. It’s a day that has become so meaningful and important to everyone involved in so many ways.”

Also included in the day is a full breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with a morning practice session that provides valuable training for the hunt. In addition, the group has prepared special equipment for each hunt when necessary, allowing individuals to hunt who never thought it would be possible.

It’s a heartwarming day of people taking care of people, one that means as much to the board members as it does to the hunters.

“Any single one of us would love to go out to hunt ourselves, but this day is so much more meaningful than that,” event coordinator Mark Schlabach said. “It is rewarding to see each face light up, see them gain confidence, and it is incredible to hear the stories from family members who talk about the amazing impact this has made. That is so rewarding, and all of our volunteers and property owners are so selfless and giving, and hopefully, we’ve opened the door to a new experience for people who might have thought they’d never have this type of opportunity.”

It is a day-long experience, beginning with breakfast and the practice schedule, followed by the hunt.

Once the day is complete and hunters begin bringing in their deer, those in attendance including family, friends and volunteers provide a welcoming gauntlet, with each individual becoming the focal point of the celebration one person at a time.

While they can’t guarantee a deer for each hunter, the majority of them come home having bagged one, and the thrill of the hunt alone makes this an experience to remember.

Each hunter’s experience is complete with a field guide and a videographer, who goes along to capture each moment. In addition, the Whitetail Heritage members will have each harvested deer processed, providing quality meat for families, and it also pays for mounts and deer rugs.

Schlabach said this is one day each year that brings out the joy for everyone involved because it is such a touching time of fellowship and exploration of the great outdoors.

Board member Curt Yoder said about 20 years ago, a deer management coop began in the area. That coop remains intact, and six years ago, the board members began talking with area landowners about allowing those with special needs and disabilities to come hunt on their land for the event.

The response was nearly overwhelming.

“They’ve invited us in with open arms, allowing us to hunt freely on their land, and they have been an incredible blessing to all of our hunters who are experiencing the hunt, many of them for the first time,” Yoder said.

He said the organization has landowners on a waiting list, and with 32 new hunters in the fold this year, Whitetail Heritage is at its max right now, having received 65 applications for the hunt this year.

“Each of our hunters is special, and each one is why we do what we do,” Yoder said.

This event actually began nearly 20 years ago when they began offering hunts under the national organization Quality Deer Management Association, part of the National Deer Hunters Association.

However, in 2018 Whitetail Heritage became its own nonprofit entity and has created an exceptionally memorable day for hunters with disabilities.

Each year they host a fundraiser at Mt. Hope Event Center, and Schlabach said the support and compassion shown by many has been inspiring.

“The outpouring from the community has been unreal,” Schlabach said. “It’s incredible to see their hearts open up for the right reason. All of the money we raise goes right back to the families in our community. This is a blessing to all of us, and getting to share this experience is incredibly touching for all of us.”

Once the event is complete, the videos will be compiled, and videographer Adrian Stutzman creates a video of the day.

Each hunter receives that video along with footage from his/her own hunt.

“We want this to be an inspiring, memorable event for them,” Schlabach said.

For more information on the hunt, visit whitetailheritageofohio.net. Donations to the organization also can be made there, and there is an application form that can be filled out for future hunts.