Safari Club Hunt for Disabled Sportsmen Succeeds

The Lowcountry Chapter of Safari Club International held its fourth annual Wheelchair and Wounded Warrior deer hunt Oct. 28 and 29. Eleven veterans in the Wounded Warrior program, soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, came down from Camp Lejeune in North Carolina to participate. Six youngsters also hunted through the Outdoor Dream Foundation helping contribute to an overall tally nine bucks, six does and a wild hog harvested on 12 Lowcountry plantations.

South Carolina Disabled Sportsman President Bobby Harrell and SCDNR invited nine hunters this year. One such invitee was Daniel Smith, a retired Army sniper living in North Augusta and attending the SCI hunt for the first time. He brought his own gun and was paired with an SCI guide 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. Smith shed a tear and said, “This is kind of overwhelming, because you don’t get to come to a place like this every day.”

The National Rifle Association donated money and resources to this year’s hunt with NRA Vice-President Ron Schmeits and NRA Secretary Major Edward J. Land, USMC (Retired); both attended and offered remarks. The Honorable John Dalton, secretary of the Navy under President Clinton, also attended and spoke passionately about why the Wounded Warriors and all U.S. servicemen deserve the country’s support. Brigadier General James B. Laster attended from Parris Island Marine Recruit Depot and honored participants with the presence of the Parris Island Marine Color Guard.

Marine Tommy Lee Travis Engle came down from Camp Lejuene on his first trip to the SCI deer hunt. He was injured along the Iran/Iraq border when an IED threw him out of his vehicle, and he sustained several injuries from flying debris. Engle harvested an eight-point buck while hunting and had a shot at some wild pigs. He said, “This is the best time I’ve had since I was back in the war.” SCI is having the deer head mounted for Engle.

SCI organizer Mark Peterson of Bluffton appreciates the continued support of sponsors Benelli, the Schwabel Corporation, Knives of Alaska, La Bella Vita Images, Wild Game Deer Processing and Taxidermy of Sheldon and Black Death deer scent company. Nearly 100 volunteers donated their time and resources for this annual hunt dedicated to giving the gift of the outdoors to veterans and the disabled. Plantation owners who open their properties to share the blessings of the Lowcountry with these special hunters ask for little thanks in return.

Steve Murphy is an Army veteran from Greenwood, SC, and an above-the-knee amputee. He attended the SCI hunt for the first time with buddy and guide Phil Lucas, a member of the Marine Corps League, a group founded in 1937 by Congress to support veterans’ activities such as the Wounded Warrior Project. Murphy was successful on the hunt, harvesting a doe. He said, “This hunt helps to get your mind clear of other things.”

During the welcoming lunch of Friday, which included a whole hog prepared by servicemen from the Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station, all the hunt participants were gathered together. Most of the military men were grouped together and standing or sitting on command at this point. These men in uniform appeared whole, but scars both deep and long tell of injuries sustained in combat. Perhaps an arm or shoulder droops, or when they are seated a leg does not fold comfortably any longer, small details that are permanent disabilities for these warriors of the United States. The SCI hunt is a small thank you for that service.

The Lowcountry Patriots, a Beaufort-based Friends of the NRA group, sent Dan Spies and a few others to volunteer at the hunt. He echoed the remarks of NRA V.P. Ron Schmeits and said, “I love hunting and want to help these sportsmen share in that experience. These men fight for our freedom, and that freedom is not free.” The Lowcountry Patriots will be holding a fundraiser in Beaufort on November 22 to raise dollars to support other wounded warrior endeavors.

Benelli’s clay target sharpshooter Tim Bradley attended the hunt for a second year and put on a skeet shooting display. When asked why this event is on his schedule he said, “Veterans are close to my heart, and I like to talk to them to hear what they have been through. I’m glad to join the good people gathered here to make this hunt a success.” Bradley and his Benelli M-2 semi-automatic shotgun will travel to Kansas City for his next demonstration.