Georgia Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Walter Rabon said the agency is committed to developing accessible opportunities for people with disabilities.
Earlier in January, DNR held its third adaptive hunt since 2021 when five hunters and a hunting buddy were paired with a guide for a two-day “Hunt and Learn” experience on private property in Newton County.
The hunt, specifically designed for novice deer hunters with mobility impairments, is a priority initiative for Georgia DNR, according to a release from the agency, and reflects its commitment to providing inclusive hunting, fishing and outdoor opportunities for all Georgians.
“Making the outdoors more accessible for all Georgians has been a priority of mine since being appointed to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources,” Rabon said. “Numerous barriers exist to getting involved in hunting and fishing and even more so for those with mobility impairments. We’re proud of our adaptive hunt program which seeks to remove many of these hurdles, giving more people the ability to enjoy the great outdoors.”
During the Hunt and Learn event, the hunters received valuable informational tools to aid them in future hunts, practice time at the rifle range, and a deer hunt utilizing recent advancements in technology, including the Action Trackchair.
Max Richardson, 17, was surrounded by fellow hunters, including his father Mitch, who watched his son fire a rifle alone for the first time using an adaptive trigger mechanism.
“What a wonderful event and opportunity for Adaptive hunters to be able to come together and share their abilities and challenges with hunting,” Max Richardson said. “Being able to fellowship with disabled hunters showed me new methods and hardware that can help me while in the field. I really hope this opens doors for more opportunities to hunt in the state of Georgia.”
The DNR’s Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Jasper County launched the adaptive hunt program in 2021 following the receipt of the Center’s first Action Trackchair. The Trackchair donation came as part of the All-Terrain Georgia Initiative.
Trackchairs are all-terrain wheelchairs that feature rubber tracks and the ability to navigate a variety of obstacles. The utilization of the specialty chairs allows participants to better navigate the woods to a specialized hunting blind.
Since 2021, DNR has provided 20 mobility impaired hunters, plus a buddy, an opportunity to hunt as part of this program.