Ozark National Scenic Riverways Honors Veterans with Special Hunt

Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) recently hosted its 9th annual Exceptional Warrior Mobility Impaired Managed Hunt on October 22 and 23 at Big Spring.

In its ninth year, the Exceptional Warrior hunt offers a more accessible hunting experience for military service members who have impaired mobility. Each year, ten to twelve hunters are accepted for participation, with each allowed to harvest two deer. The hunt has grown to include over 30 sponsors and volunteers whose primary goal is to honor veterans by providing a special and memorable experience. For the past seven years, the out-of-pocket expenses that would have been incurred by each hunter have been paid for by sponsors, resulting in a no-cost experience for each hunter.

The event kicked off on the evening of October 21 as all hunters, assistants and volunteers gathered for a pre-hunt meeting and dinner, provided by Outdoorsmen With a Mission. During the evening each veteran newcomer, whether they were a hunter, volunteer, or sponsor, was presented with a handmade quilt by the Van Buren Quilts of Valor Chapter, which operates on donations and has presented over 360 quilts worldwide. The mission of Quilts of Valor is to ‘cover all our warriors and combat veterans who have been touched by war or wounded with our healing and comforting Quilts of Valor’. Chapter Coordinator Marian Piper said, “We just love these guys and all they have done for us.”

The evening continued with door prizes, a recap of rules and regulations, hunters meeting their sponsors, and lots of good-natured teasing between military branches over dinner.

One returning hunter captured it best: “Thank you for all the planning and work you did to make such a special and memorable weekend deer hunting. Everything was truly wonderful. My hunt assistant was a perfect match… it was my honor and pleasure to know [him]. The staff, donors and all the volunteers are special people and will not be forgotten ever.”

Saturday morning brought cool morning temperatures and calm winds; ideal conditions for a successful hunt, made evident when several hunters filled or partially filled their quota the first day. Volunteers eagerly assisted in retrieving and processing deer and packing on ice for each successful hunter. Temperatures neared the upper 70’s as hunters and assistants made their way into the check station for lunch.

As hunting stories and jokes were told over a fried fish meal, provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation, it was evident to anyone in attendance there is more to the event than just providing service members with an opportunity to hunt. For most, it is a complex healing experience from the inside-out. It’s also about giving back to those who have sacrificed so much. Many memories and lasting friendships were made not only by the hunters, but also by ONSR staff, volunteers, and sponsors who participated in the hunt.

ONSR Natural Resource Program Manager and hunt coordinator Kim Houf reflected, “I’m grateful and in awe at the many expressions of support we received this year. From food donations to volunteers asking to be involved in some way, there was an overwhelming demonstration of respect and gratitude for these exceptional warriors.”

ONSR Superintendent Jason Lott, a veteran himself, was deeply touched by the experience. “I was truly humbled to meet the exceptional warriors who have sacrificed so greatly and to witness the outpouring of support from the local community to make this an unforgettable hunting experience for them.” He continued, “I’m proud of the efforts put forth by our National Park Service staff, volunteers, and generous partners to host this event for our veterans.

We would like to thank the following volunteers and sponsors for helping make the hunt successful: The Foundation for Exceptional Warriors (The FEW), Outdoorsmen with a Mission, Quilts of Valor - Van Buren Chapter, The Missouri Department of Conservation, Ozark Riverways Foundation, OA Rental Properties, Scenic River Cabins, Dale & Rob Braden, Gene Riddle, Jolly Cone, Van Buren Youth & Community Center, ScreenShots, Eric Daniels, Michelle Daniels, Derek Saffle, Jamie Ladner, Emily Sellinger, Valerie Voyles, Morgan Beyer, Lee Bland, Rick Halbert, Joby Sanders, Evan VanWinkle, Todd Wilcoxon, Mark Jackson, Corbin Dougherty, Adrian Burnham, Glen Sanders, Randy Clark, Matt Jackson, Adam Helvey, Charles Gordon, Randy McElroy, and Dale Ross.

As an additional demonstration of our nation’s gratitude and support, veterans of U.S. Armed Services and Gold Star Families can now obtain a free lifetime pass to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. Those passes will become available starting on Veterans Day, November 11. For more information about the pass, including details on how to obtain one, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/11-8-2022-lifetime-pass.htm