Last weekend, Lake Sakakawea State Park near Pick City hosted its eighth deer hunt for persons in wheelchairs.

John Tunge, park manager, said over the years the event has evolved into a hunting experience geared to be as authentic as possible.

Tunge said he got the idea for the hunt after visiting with a friend, Dan Trimble of Pierre, S.D., who is in a wheelchair after being hit with a grenade tossed into his bunker in Vietnam.

Tunge said the event in Pierre had hunters lined up side by side, each with about a 100 yard shooting lane.

If a deer happened to cross through their shooting lane, they could take a shot.

Tunge thought it could be done differently, giving the hunter more of a flavor of a traditional hunt.

For Carl Monson of Bottineau, last Saturday's hunt was as close to the good old days as it can get.

Monson, a life-long outdoorsman, fell from a tree while setting up a tree stand on Sept. 9, 1999.

He said he made the mistake of not being harnessed securely and the 8-foot fall left him paralyzed from the waist down.

Monson said this was his fourth year hunting at the state park. He said last season was the only time he didn't fill his tag.

"I may have been a little too fussy," he said.

This year, though, he shot a mature 5-by-5 whitetail buck about an hour into the hunt.

Tunge said thanks to the support and donations from a variety of sources, those who are able to participate get a true-to-life hunting experience.

This year, Tunge said donations helped buy new ground blinds and a few shooting sticks.

The blinds are unique in that they open completely on the back side, flipping up to accommodate a wheelchair.

The blinds are set on plywood floors with ramps and park personnel take the hunters to the blind, help get them set up and from there, it's up to the hunter.

"It's really up to them how they want to hunt," Tunge said.

"They can have someone in the blind with them or they can go it alone."

He said each year the park receives more and more calls from hunters who want to participate because of a particular handicap.

The park is closed during the hunt, which is normally held the second weekend of the deer gun season. Hunting is not allowed in most state parks.

Tunge said because of the number of requests, it was decided to limit it just to those in wheelchairs.

The blinds are equipped with shooting rests built to the proper height for each hunter.

The needs are different for each hunter, Tunge said. Some have regular wheelchairs, but with different sized wheels, while others have electric models.

"Most of these hunters have specific needs," he said. "So it takes some notice to fit what they need."

Supporters of the hunt include the Beulah Chamber of Commerce, the Mercer County Peace Officers Association, the Washburn American Legion and the Time Out Tavern in Wilton.

Jim Wenning is a detective with the Mercer County Sheriff's Department.

He's been on board with the hunt since it began. A hunter himself, Wenning said it's difficult to explain why he helps out each year.

"I enjoy hunting myself," he said.

"This gives them the opportunity to continue hunting ... and it reminds me not to take for granted what I have."

Monson said for him, an avid bow hunter in the past, the hunt at state park is very authentic.

"You're out here on your own, hoping to be in the right place at the right time."

For Pat Harland of Hazen, it was his first hunt there.

Growing up in the small town of Cando, he said hunting and fishing were a part of his life growing up in the small town.

In 2005, a car accident changed that when he was ejected from his vehicle.

"If I had been wearing a seat belt, I don't think I'd be in this position."

Harland couldn't say enough good things about the hunt.

He shot a small buck, something that will put meat in the freezer for his family, but that was only a small part of the day.

"You're out here in nature ... the geese are honking and the pheasants are cackling. It was just a great experience."

For the deer camp experience, hunters and volunteers gather at the park shop for a meal and to swap stories.

As in past years, the food was prepared and donated by Joe Hall, a resident of the area.

For the most part, the hunt is about as controlled as it can get while allowing the hunters to go it alone.

Monson says hunting always has been a part of his life. As the crew shared stories over a bowl of deer sausage chili, sloppy joes, bars and kuchen, he talked about his son who had just shot his first mule deer.

He wished he could have been out in the Badlands with him to share the experience.

But coming to Lake Sakakawea State Park, Monson is creating new memories and stories he can share with his son and others.

"These guys do a great job here," he said.

"They go above and beyond to make sure we have a good experience."

Harland said even if he hadn't taken a deer, the hunt would have been worth it regardless.

"To be out here and be able to be out in nature, that's what it's about."

(Reach reporter Brian Gehring at 250-8254 or brian.gehring@

I applaud all those involved in hosting this. Thanks for all your efforts.

A great hunt!    I wonder if Riverdaleman nailed a big one this year.  With his little sidekick beside him!   (oops - medium sized sidekick, now!)

This is really cool. Good job to all those involved.  Also, it should be a good reminder for the rest of us to be cautious when setting up stands or sitting in them. It only takes one mistake. Congrats to all the hunters as well.

 

rdaleman Said:
 

“  Whoever said   that the fun ends once you pull the trigger must have never field dressed their  buck”   

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!  I love it!  Glad he got in there, got his hands dirty and loved it!

Great job guys, glad you had a wonderful hunt.  Congratulations to all who participated!!