300RUM Report post Posted May 1, 2017 Last year my hunting partner signed over a tag to Hunts For Heroes due to a family medical emergency. In the process we met Tom Wagner, the coordinator for Hunts For Heroes, and let him know we would be interested in helping get disabled veterans out hunting in the future. As turkey season approached we agreed to take an Army veteran on the 4A / 4B hunt. I contacted Joe to inquire how we would need to adapt the hunt to accommodate his disability. Joe informed me he had lost his left leg below the knee but walking on a prosthetic leg he would get around fairly well. Thinking of all the stumbling around I have done in the woods over the years I was a bit skeptical. The weekend before the hunt my partner, Chris, scouted the spots we were interested in and I cleaned and loaded the trailer, got groceries, and gathered any gear we felt may be useful. Opening morning I arrived in the area where the camp was intended to be and just didn’t like it. What can I say, I’m picky. I moved about ¾ miles North and found a closed off trail off the main road by an interesting little canyon and set camp. Joe arrived early in the afternoon. We got acquainted then geared up and headed out. Deciding to tackle the canyon tomorrow we went to a tank where Chris had seen fresh tracks but only found deer and elk tracks. As we headed back to an area Chris felt may contain roost trees I was amazed that Joe was able to keep my pace. Along the way Joe spotted a heard of elk. We arrived and found a neat little canyon with a grassy bottom and many pools of water along the drainage. We climbed the ridge and checked for roost trees but were unable to locate any. Along the way back we picked a spot to sit and listen until dark. I occasionally made “turkey noises”, I don’t consider myself good enough to say I am a turkey caller. It was disappointing to not hear even one gobble. We headed back to camp in the dark. Chris was there when we arrived. Now we had a turkey caller. After grilling some burgers and sharing a bunch of laughs we got to bed. It was still dark and Chris and I were up making a plan. The little canyon I liked began to erupt with gobbling. Multiple toms, and close! Joe came out of the trailer and I helped him and Chris get geared up and moving. As I watched them head out toward all of the gobbling I felt like the dog that had to stay on the porch while the others got to go play. There was a caller and a shooter heading out, anyone else was additional motion, noise and therefore a liability. My job would be to stand on the ridge, listen, and try to pinpoint where the roost trees were in case they did not get one this morning. There were 5 toms gobbling from different directions. BOOM! I was pretty sure I was out of a job. Joe and Chris returned with Joe’s first turkey. It was not even 6:00. We had breakfast, took pictures and just sat there and enjoyed the success. I sent a text to Tom, who was over in 5A with 2 veterans and not much help, offering to come assist. With the gobbler down Chris headed back to town since he could still make a ball game his son was playing in. A text came back from Tom that help would be appreciated. I told him I was on my way. Rather than head for home Joe insisted on coming along to help, he is just that kind of guy. Chris and I were talking about what to do for deer this year and decided to call Joe and see if he would like to apply with us. The invitation was accepted. I hope we get drawn because I already know the time in camp will be a blast. 15 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azbow Report post Posted May 1, 2017 Awesome write up on a wonderful experience. Nice that it worked out so well for all of you and one of our countries heroes. Well done! Congrats Joe and Thankyou for your service! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MT_Sourdough Report post Posted May 1, 2017 big thumbs up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoshi Report post Posted May 1, 2017 Congratulation!!!... And Thanks For Your Service!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
218buck Report post Posted May 1, 2017 Very nice congrats to all who helped and to Tom on his bird Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildwoody Report post Posted May 1, 2017 There you go, killer.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted May 1, 2017 Awesome job! Huge props to you and your buddy for helping and volunteering! Good luck on the deer. Congratulations to Tom on a fine gobbler. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted May 2, 2017 Absolutely awesome job! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lv2hnt Report post Posted May 5, 2017 Just an FYI --- it was Joe that tagged out on his 1st gobbler, not me. Kudos to Lee and Chris for coming through to help make Joe's hunt a resounding success!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted May 7, 2017 Just an FYI --- it was Joe that tagged out on his 1st gobbler, not me. Kudos to Lee and Chris for coming through to help make Joe's hunt a resounding success!!!Sorry about that, congratulations to Joe! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
