11 challenged hunters expected from across country

The Physically Challenged Deer Hunt keeps increasing the number of hunters who participate each year.

“This is the third year that we have done a hunt in Alabama,” coordinator Dirk Price said. “Last year, we had nine hunters and this year that number has gone up to 11.”

Out of the 11 hunters, five of them are blind just like Price.

“We have five blind hunters, two that are paralyzed from the waist down, one with only one arm, one that has cerebral palsy, one deaf guy and a Vietnam veteran who has pancreatic cancer,” Price said. “We have a lot of volunteers and guides that are going to help these guys as much as they can. We have a tripod for the guy missing one arm so he can rest his gun, guides that can aim for the blind, the young man who is deaf will have his father signing out there for him and the kid who has cerebral palsy will have someone push him out there in the wheelchair and we will have a tripod for him.”

Price said that the best part of the hunt is seeing the camaraderie between the hunters and volunteers.

“It is amazing to witness, with just a little bit of assistance through volunteering or technology, these hunters can overcome their disability,” Price said. “To see everyone come together and experience new friendships is amazing.”

This year the Andalusia Lion’s Club is the sponsor for the hunt, and Price believes that they raised more money this year because a local club is sponsoring it.

“The community has really stepped up,” Price said. “We raised more money this year than we did in the past and I think that is due to the Lion’s Club sponsoring it. We raised close to $5,000.”

The money raised for the event will go to housing, food and hunters’ licenses.

“We have people coming in from New York state, Kentucky, Daytona Beach, Defuniak Springs and all around South Alabama,” Price said. “With this money we are able to house them, give them three meals a day and pay for their hunting licenses.” 

Along with the deer hunt, the Andalusia Lion’s Club is hosting a Wild Game Dinner at the Coleman Center in Andalusia at 7:30 p.m., Sat., Jan. 19.

Tickets are $10 and are still available at the Andalusia Chamber of Commerce, David’s Catfish House, CCB Community Bank, Southeast Gas or any Lion’s Club member.