Sports & Recreation — Hunting

All year around, the great outdoors beckons. As thousands of outdoorspeople take to the wild to hunt, many people with disabilities who have the desire to take part may think those activities aren ’t open to them.

However, as groups like Buckmasters American Deer Foundation (BADF) Disabled Services have shown countless times, hunting is very accessible to people with disabilities. And they’re only one of the many organizations available to help a disabled sportsperson head outdoors.

All it takes is the desire, the support of some like-minded friends, and maybe some adaptive equipment. If you supply the desire, you’ll find the rest of the ingredients are readily available.

Just about everyone, including those with quadruple amputations, vision loss, and stroke survivors, is able to experience the thrill of being part of a hunt.

RESOURCES & UPCOMING EVENTS

RESOURCES Buckmasters American Deer Foundation Web site: http://www.badf.org/ Colorado Division of Wildlife Mobility-Impaired Hunting and Fishing Access Website: http://wildlife.state.co.us/ Handicapped Hunting Resource Guide Web site: http://www.disabledhunting.net/ Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Website: http://fwp.state.mt.us/insidefwp/ctb/huntingopp.html   National Wild Turkey Federation Publisher of Wheeling Sportsman Magazine Web site: http://www.nwtf.org/ Outdoor Buddies Web site: http://www.outdoorbuddies.org/ Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Website: http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/disabled/hunting.html Wheelin Sportsmen Magazine Web site: http://www.wheelinsportsmen.org Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Website: http://gf.state.wy.us/index.asp UPCOMING EVENTS The Montana Access To Outdoor Recreation (MATOR) program strives to increase opportunities for participation in wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, and other related activities for Montanans with disabilities, veterans, and those who are aging. MATOR offers the following services: Recreational Equipment Library Borrow recreational equipment free of charge Demonstration Events Try out equipment, meet the staff, learn about how MATOR can help you get out there Education and Awareness Learn about adaptive equipment, practices and outreach opportunities Volunteer Network Check out the many ways you can support individuals through MATOR The MATOR program is especially committed to enabling Montanans to participate in outdoor recreation in a location and at a time of their choosing with friends and family who may or may not have disabilities. MATOR is offered in partnership with the University of Montana MonTECH program, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and other state agencies and individual supporters. Learn more about how you can support MATOR by volunteer mentorship, helping with demonstration events, contributing to equipment available for loan, or financially contributing! Contact us to learn more: MATOR Staff 1-406-243-5751 http://recreation.ruralinstitute.umt.edu mator@ruralinstitute.umt.edu