What an incredible experience hunting with Wyoming Disabled Hunters was. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our time there from the accommodations to the food and the wonderful volunteer guides that made it so enjoyable and successful!Thank you Wyoming Disabled Hunters for the hunt of a lifetime, without you ALL I would have never been able to fulfill the dream of hunting big game in the state of Wyoming. Joe & Clara Stutzman

I can’t say enough good things about WDH. This was my second hunt with them. I harvested a nice mule deer buck in 2016. This year I hunted pronghorn and had another great experience. The guides will do everything possible to make sure your hunt is successful. Everyone that is part of WDH are great people they will make sure that you entertained lodged and feed. There are many great local attractions like the Buffalo Bill Museum and Yellowstone park if you fill your tag early in the hunt. This year the airlines canceled my flight the morning I was supposed to leave and WDH went above and beyond their responsibilities and provided food and lodging for the extra day but also gave me a personal tour of Heart Mountain by Brian Peters. When you hunt with WDH you will leave with lots of great memories and new friends. Make sure to bring your camera or video recorder to capture the wildlife, scenery and people. That way you can enjoy the experience for years to come. Alan BrackettBrowns Summit, NC

I may be a man who takes your generosity A bit more to the heart, Gratitude is what I have for all of the crew & the other hunters You folks bring people together, with theW.D.H. Disabled men & women hunters, great food, great bunkhouse😂 great guides, wonderful people. I hope to be back. It’s kind of a retreat with a great hunting trip. It’s a great experience thank you all at WDH Bob Helms

This is the hunt of a lifetime, I don't think I can put into words the great time I had.  Not just hunting but the hospitality, lodging, meals and the friendliness of everyone.  The morning of the hunt Terry picked me up after breakfast and we headed out. We met up with the guides and went out shoot and confirm that the rifle was on. We loaded up the truck and was heading out to the hunt area. We came across elk, set up a site, waited took one shot, the elk took three steps and dropped. The guides cut it up and gave me the ivories. I thought they were

just a souvenir.  After the hunt Terry out did himself keeping me busy, showing me all the wildlife (bighorn sheep, bison, mule deer, and a herd of elk.  Then he took me to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. There I went to all five museums, the Plains Indians Museum I thought was the most interesting. There I read about their beliefs with the ivories. I am going to follow suit and get two necklaces made for my granddaughters.  The meat processing is the best I ever had, vacuume sealed, froze, and labeled.   It would be hard to improve the way that the

Wyoming Disabled Hunters organized everything. From the application process to boarding the plane to go home, and everything in between. and the follow up the next day to see that everything was good on the trip.  I would like to thank all the sponsors, volunteers, guides, landowners and organizations that donate time money equipment and the Wyoming Disabled Hunters Organization. Without all of

you the handicap wouldn't have the opportunity to be able to do all of this. And thanks Terry for all the talks we had.

  Thanks again Terry and Corey for the great experience.    -Larry Tierney

       My hunting experience with WDH was the hunt of a life time for me.  The hospitality was great from Mr & Mrs Winlow.  They

picked my partner and I up at the airport in Cody and took us to the hotel room and made sure everything was good to go with us.  When we got to Ten Sleep for the hunt the accommodations were great!!  There was plenty of food for all of the hunters, I think I gained 10 lbs while I was out there!!  The guides, Charlie and Walt, took us to the blinds and made sure I was comfortable and taken care of.  I did kill a cow elk at the conservatory and it was a sight that I'll never forget.  We probably saw over 200 elk and literally had to wait for elk to clear so I could shoot one!!  When I harvested my elk, Charlie made sure the elk was taken care of as far as field dressing.  I got to meet new friends that I hope to stay in contact with for a life time.  I didn't have to do anything except for show up.  Everything was taken care of for me.  Room & board, food, travel to and from the hunting areas & the gun and ammo.  The whole trip was seamless.  Also, after the animal was harvested, we had an extra day so Charlie took me on a sight-seeing trip and let me see some beautiful country.  Overall, the hunt was outstanding!!  I can't thank your organization enough for all of the effort that is put forward to make this hunt happen.  It was a once in a lifetime experience for me.  If there was one criticism it would be that I received about half of my elk meat from the processor.  I killed close to a 500 lbs cow elk and only got 80 lbs of meat.  This elk should have yielded closer to 200 lbs of meat.  Attached is a picture of the elk that I harvested.

Thank you for all you do!!

Larry Moss

Great hunt! Caring staff. Mr. Skinner was helpful and patient throughout the whole process. These people treat the disabled with the utmost care. The guides were awesome. Best of all they got me a good size antelope. Would go on another hunt with disabled hunters in a heart beat. Additionally, great accommodations.  –Mike Wells, Esq. US Army

I would like to say a few words about my experience with the Wyoming Disabled Hunters over the weekend of November 1-3, 2019.  I arrived early afternoon on 10/31/2019 and called Corey to make sure I was in the right place.  He was very accommodating and sent me Bruce’s phone number.  I called Bruce and he told me to go in and make myself comfortable.

I did and Bruce his Wife Anne, Brian Peters and Rich arrived shortly after that and made me feel like we were all part of a family.  Accommodations were very comfortable, Anne is a Great cook and the guys could not have been better during the hunt.  They worked hard and put in their time effort and energy to make sure we all had a really enjoyable as well as a successful hunt which we all did.  I can’t say enough about the men and women who volunteer to help people who are less able have a fun successful time.

 I applaud all who helped and say a Great Big Thank You! -Richie

My hunting experience with WDH was by far the best hunt of my life and a hunt of a lifetime. This was my very first time hunting outside of my state of Ohio. I haven’t seen other wildlife

to hunt besides what’s in Ohio. The first time I saw a Mule deer standing next to the road, I squealed like a little kid in a candy store. The first time I found an Elk in my binoculars, I was

in AWE of its beauty and its size. When my guide and driver found an antelope my heartrate went up, I started to get excited. This antelope had a group of females, one female took off and he tried keeping her with the other females. They ran all over the Plains. I wasn’t able to get a good shot on him, so my driver and guide

decided to check another area. We went to the other side of the mountain. The driver/guide saw a group of antelope and asked me if I wanted a heart shape antelope. I didn’t know what he meant, but I did tell him “Yes!” We turned the truck around, found the group of antelope and since this was my first antelope hunt my guide and driver talked me thru which antelope, where to aim my gun on him. I did everything they suggested and when I pulled the trigger the antelope ran 20 yards and fell over and expired.- Elizabeth Shank

Dear Wyoming Disabled Hunters

Thank you for letting me come down to Cody and hunt. I know You can only have so many hunter's there and I am very grateful you accepted me to go

hunt with you guys.

This hunt meant so much to me because the things I can do are limited but hunting is one of the biggest things I can and love

to do. When I hunt I always get the satisfaction of a new story to tell and hopefully a cool new rack on the wall and some tasty meat in the freezer. The best parts about my hunt in Cody were spending time with my Grandpa and little brother Finn and my Dad, along with staying at Heart

Mountain and meeting other disabled Hunters. Also I am very grateful for the tremendous amount of help I received on the hunt. Lastly I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to hunt my first Whitetail. Because, there is not even close to as good Whitetail hunting in Pinedale as

Cody. I came to Cody to get my first whitetail but what I got was even better, an amazing experience, a cool new story to tell,  an awesome new rack on the wall, and memories that will

last me a lifetime   Sincerely Aiden Rhea

This organization is hands down, one of the best out there! What they do for not only disabled civilian hunters, but for disabled veterans as well, is absolutely amazing! I was extremely fortunate and blessed to be able to attend the 2019 Mule deer hunt as a disabled veteran. It was always a dream of mine to come to Wyoming and harvest a muley. Wyoming Disabled Hunters made that dream come true!! From all the board members, the guides, and the volunteers, they all made us feel like family, and ensured we were well taken care of! It was an absolutely amazing experience, with great people, in a beautiful part of the country! This was an experience I’ll never forget!

Thank you to everyone involved!! -Joe Wesner

Hello my name is John Wood and I was lucky enough to be drawn on a hunt that was sponsored by Wyoming Disabled Hunter's for the 2019 season, for this thank you note I should tell you who I am and why this hunt meant so much to me. I am 100% disabled combat veteran from Orofino, Idaho I am not ashamed to say that I have severe PTSD and hyper vigilance and because of this certain arrangements had to be made by WDH to accommodate me during my time in Cody and if it wasn't for Terry and Corey this hunt wouldn't have taken place. I am sure that you will read many testimonials about how great the hunting was and how many deer and elk were harvested and that is great and I myself took a nice buck but my testimonial will be a bit different I would rather talk about the people who made this happen for me and the other civilian disabled Hunter's and veteran's I spent time with in Cody.                                                              

There are certain experiences in life that be them good or bad will stay with you for life and people who you will cross paths with that will help you to understand that no matter how bad things get in your own life someone else is fighting with everything they have to overcome their own obstacles, I was hit in a mortar attack and I had recently had my 44th orthopedic surgery two months before my hunt and to be honest I wasn't in the best place emotionally when I arrived in Cody, but that all changed on the first morning

when I met a young man from back east and his father. Without permission I don't want to mention names but he was wheelchair bound and had limited use of his arm's and was sighting in his crossbow with adaptive equipment, to see this young man who traveled so far sitting in his chair in Cody Wyoming with a wind-chill of about -10 and smiling and laughing and having such a positive attitude put my own issues into perspective and things for me that weighed on me heavily just two hours before weren't as bad as I had thought they were and I am blessed to have met him and felt his love for life and this experience he was having.                                                Wyoming Disabled Hunter's do more than put people on deer and elk they are the channel for helping people with disabilities like myself to heal and come out of the experience better human beings to our fellow man because after all of the stories and the tall tales I think everyone there whether they realize it or not the experience has changed their own view on life, sacrifice and true heroism by witnessing what other's face in life. Through my life I have taken many trophy mule deer more than most men will see in a lifetime but I can honestly say that the 4x2 that I took with my brother and Rod who I can't thank enough and I'm pretty sure he enjoyed our time together as much as I did means more to me than all of them.                                                          This organization from all the wives that work so hard to take care of the Hunter's to the folks at the lodge and the administration are doing something very special that means the world to a heck

of a lot of people and my thanks to them runs deep, keep fighting the good fight and as Theodore Roosevelt said in his speech the man in the arena, The credit belongs to the man who if he fails at least he fails while daring greatly unlike the cold and timid souls that will never know victory or defeat. SEMPER FI BROTHERS!- John Wood

I am still on cloud nine after my hunting trip with Wyoming Disabled Hunters. I am grateful I had the opportunity to harvest such a beautiful mule deer. It was a bucket list hunt that I didn’t

believe would be possible after my accident. Thanks to Wyoming Disabled Hunters for making that dream possible again and helping me check this off my list. Words cannot describe how amazing this organization is. As soon as you get to the lodge, you feel like part of the family. The guides and staff will do anything to make sure you have an experience of a lifetime. I also want to thank all the land owners that opened up their land to us so that these dreams can come true. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity and the memories I have made with this top notch organization and can’t wait to come back to go after another species. –Kevin Churkey

Deer Wyoming disabled Hunters, I'm writing to you as a thank-you + the chance to give you some constructive criticism on the elk hunt I had in October of this year. First I greatly enjoyed meeting Russ we spent some very wonderful quality time together he is a great guy and a great host and I truly hope to get to see him again soon. As for the hunt the hunt was once in a lifetime opportunity to come to Wyoming to go after a bull elk I truly I hoped and prayed that it would be a wonderful opportunity and be able to harvest an animal we went the morning of the hunt to the place where we go to hunt and to be perfectly honest we saw almost nothing my only criticism would be it would have been great if we would have had prior permission to be able to go to another Ranch because there was a ranch that literally was beside us that we could see with binoculars elk but they had everything they needed they had cover their food and then we're going to go anywhere and we couldn't get permission to go on to that ranch until it was too late that I truly is my only criticism I greatly enjoyed it that people were fantastic the accommodations were wonderful the food was wonderful and again I really enjoyed meeting Russ and Russ's family and this game to spend time with them so I want to thank Wyoming Disabled Hunters and maybe someday in the future if I'm physically able I may be able to come back and try it one more time God bless you Merry Christmas and thank you.

Sincerely Robin King

WDH strives to provide each hunter with the best hunt experience possible and the best opportunity to harvest within the properties to which we have been granted access.

Hello, my name is Genna Williamson and I am extremely grateful for all the Wyoming Disabled Hunters Organization and their sponsors did for me.  The experience of being able to drive cross country with my parents and brother from east to west was just amazing. We did some sight seeing in Jackson Hole, and was able to see a part of Yellowstone.  Wyoming is a beautiful state and something I will never forget.  Without the hard work and contributions from WDH I never would have thought it would be possible for me to hunt an Elk in Wyoming;  New York is a long drive,  let alone me being able to actually harvest one.  Thank you so much to Wyoming Disabled Hunters and the wonderful guides that made my dream come true.  All the accommodations and food were truly appreciated. The site seeing, Cody Museum, and the wild life we were fortunate to see is indescribable.  The best part of the whole trip was meeting new people and the memories to last a lifetime.  Hopefully someday I will be able to see you all again, but college first.  Thank you do much for all you do and may God continue to bless you.

Wyoming Disabled Hunters

P.O. Box 2232Cody, WY 8241

The heartbeat of America is still great and powerful in Cody, Wyoming as this story will tell.

Wyoming Disabled Hunters, Inc (WDH), is a non-profit organization that provides opportunitiesto disabled civilians and disabled military veterans to hunt big game in Wyoming free of charge.It is a combined effort between WDH officers & directors, volunteers, guides and ranch owners to make it all possible.The city of Cody and the surrounding communities all participate in support of the disabled hunters and many people even schedule their vacations to volunteer and provide free labor for the hunters. In addition to sponsoring the disabled hunters, WDH also sponsors attendance for their caregivers or hunter companions for the duration of the hunt period.

Hunters and caregivers participate from all over the United States. For example, the 2019 hunts had hunters from Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming and other states as well.Some in wheelchairs, some canes and other supporting devices, but all physically handicapped.

The author of this article is a 100% disabled Korean War veteran, who was allowed by draw to participate in the 2019 WDH hunts. He provides his own personal observations and experience while sharing conversations with hunters, their caregivers, volunteers and ranch owners. WDH is aware of his efforts, but has no liability or responsibility for his statements. information provided or actions in any form or matter.The pictures, data and details mentioned herein have been approved and released with their consent.

Usually, people see or read about disabled hunters and their success in hunting, and say to themselves, that’s a good thing for the disabled person to share. Seldom does one give thought to all the efforts of others and the money spent to make it all possible.As a recipient of all the efforts of others in our behalf, I was also privileged to share and converse with the caregivers that went on the trip with us. It made me realize just how far-reaching an influence these hunts benefit the caregivers and families involved.

Let’s start with the Aiden Rhea family from Pinedale, WY., as a great example that spans several generations. There is grandpa Chuck Rhea, age 70, Darren Rhea, age 42, his son and father of Aiden, age 13 and his little brother Finn, age 6. Aiden harvested a nice whitetail buck deer with the help of 4 guides-helper volunteers who made it possible. The loving sacrifices made by grandpa Chuck and father Darren are shining examples for Aiken and Finn to benefit and learn from. Each of the volunteer guides and helpers have families that will share in the benefits of helping others in their giving labor and personal expenses to do these things.

Oftentimes we try to tell about something that happened to us and words don’t seem to describe all that we experienced. Just like our bodies are wrapped around our soul, so the surface meaning of words, contain our soul and spiritual impact we are seeking to convey.

I’m trying to describe how the physical and emotional aspect of hunting success and joyful pleasures we felt, are secondary to the deep-rooted experiences we shared of the love and kindness we received.The united efforts of the people of Cody and the surrounding communities in such an unselfish manner, without financial reward, is difficult to fully appreciate. The (take-a-break) week of respite consideration allowed the caregivers cannot be truly valued. All these things have such a favorable impact on lives, both directly and indirectly.

For example, let’s talk about Pat Tanner and his dad, Glenn from West Virginia. Glenn has had two strokes and can barely walk with cane support, yet he got up early every day and hunted elk all day without killing one. He remained calm and happy just to be noticed and the center of so much attention and love. He was still smiling when we said our goodbyes. His son Pat, is a traveling evangelist with his wife and four daughters as the musical group accompanying him.Yet, he came as a caregiver for his dad and waited on him hand and foot. We all gave Pat & Glenn all the attention and love we could that week. You can well imagine how a rejuvenated Pat is going to spread the Word and good news among the people in his mission travels in a fifth-wheel trailer. Pat can be reached for donations www.evangelistpattanner.com.

Now let’s talk about Kevin Churkey, (wheelchair hunter), and his dad, Duane Churkey from Wisconsin. Kevin is a quick, sharp minded individual with severe physical handicaps. He struggled through each day in snow & ice; but had a successful hunt using special scope and accessories WDH provided. He is very independent minded and insists on doing things for himself as best he can. Duane is the long-suffering caregiver for Kevin and stands patiently by until Kevin finally asks for his help. It is an unusual father-son relationship as well as a patient-caregiver situation.The thrill of success in the hunt exhilarated Kevin and gave him renewed purpose in living. When I asked him to describe what that moment felt like when he harvested his deer; he replied, “It was surreal”. Meaning a dream come true, unbelievable, fantastic.When I spoke with Duane about it, he expressed such a feeling of satisfaction and pride for Kevin with relief and joy that he was able to do it. WDH provided a great respite for them both as a true blessing from all those in Wyoming.Then we have Joe Stutzman (wheelchair hunter) and his wife (caregiver) Clara from Wisconsin also. Joe went elk hunting high in the mountains every day until he finally got one. Clara helped cook & clean in the lodge during the day and took care of Joe in the evenings. Hearing Joe’s story with his face filled with pride is something money cannot buy, but does make it possible, when mixed with the unselfish loving efforts of the WDH communities and their supporters.

I met two other disabled veterans besides myself and Elijah Austin (my neighbor disabled marine) who helped me on the trip. Steven Holden from San Antonio, TX enjoyed his successful hunt and the Buffalo Bill Cody western museum. He and Joe Wesner (disabled veteran who got his deer also) from Ohio, spent hours in the electronic pistol target range at the museum competing against each other.

Now let’s take a brief glimpse at some of the leaders in WDH that helped make all this possible.

Corey McGregor is the president and a powerful influence in WDH. His personal experiences as a wheelchair hunter and the obstacles he has overcome is a living testimony for the inner man.In 2018 Corey received the Pathfinder Award by SCI Foundation for all he has accomplished.His wife,__________, and caregiver, cooked , cleaned and entertained for all of us that entire week at the lodge.

Another board member, Terry Skinner and his wife,_________, drove us around, spent an entire week meeting our every need, while showing supernatural patience and kindness to all of us. He never mentioned his painful knees, while hauling our luggage and ice chests around.His year long efforts to organize the applicant’s drawings and answer oh so many questions for WDH go unheralded by most people but the Lord knows and keeps records.

Board member Bryce Fauskee (wheelchair bound), and his mom, Bonnie were there daily, meeting our needs, cooking & cleaning without pay or compensation. His dad, Bruce, drove us around and cared for us at his own expense.We could go on all day trying to give credit to hunting guides like mine (Charlie Ziska) doing such a patient and caring job and all the helpers and people in and around Cody who made it all possible.

Wyoming Disabled Hunters dates back to the year 2000 when rancher Merlyn Ballinger built a 4- man hunting blind on his family ranch and allowed disabled hunters there.The owners of beautiful Bull Moose Retreat lodge near Cody, WY (Rick & Linda Hordichek) give a big discount to WDH for that entire week which helps make it all possible.

The average cost to WDH for every person on the total hunt is about $3000.00 plus all the personal labor and expense of everyone involved giving in loving kindness.Your donations make all this possible and are tax deductible.Please send to Wyoming Disabled Hunters, Inc. to send your share of love for others. P.O. Box 2232 Cody, WY 82414Or call____________________

Sincerely,Duane E. Starkey