Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF hosts annual Ultimate Duo
Many children will be finding their “wild side” this holiday season during an exciting, fun-filled outdoor weekend at the Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF’s Ultimate Duo event.
Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF, an outreach program of the National Wild Turkey Federation, is hosting its annual Ultimate Duo event at Camp Team-Up in Union Springs, Ala. During the weekend of Dec. 28-30, disabled children of all ages will have the opportunity to hunt deer, create lasting friendships and enjoy exciting and memorable outdoor experiences.
Ultimate Duo pairs disabled children with able-bodied hunters to give children an experience they will always remember. Field activities to help teach the youth about hunting and the importance of firearms safety will include:
- Trap shooting
- Riflery
- Air guns
- Archery
One of the special participants this year is 14 year old Tyler Counts of Mt. Hope, AL. Tyler, who has been diagnosed with spina bifida, will be attending his fourth Ultimate Duo. Tyler said the thing he loved most about Ultimate Duo events was that he loves to meet new people and experience new outdoor opportunities.
“Last year after a hunt on Camp Team-Up during the Ultimate Duo, Tyler and his dad got out of the truck and Tyler was grinning from ear to ear,” said Tyler’s mom, Leigh Counts. “Did you kill a big buck?”
“No,” said Tyler, “but I did kill my first buck, it’s a spike.” He then asked his dad if he could get it mounted. The Counts now have a spike mounted on the wall of their home and Mrs. Counts says, “He is so proud of that deer, it’s like having a 12-point buck mounted.”
Tyler will cherish these moments for the rest of his life. And that’s exactly what Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF is all about — making memories for disabled people.
For more information about the Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF program or to learn more about the Ultimate Duo event, call 1-800-THE-NWTF or log on to our web site at www.nwtf.org. — Jonathan Harling
About the NWTF: In 1973 when the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded, there were an estimated 1.3 million wild turkeys and 1.5 million turkey hunters. Thanks to the work of wildlife agencies and the NWTF’s many volunteers and partners, today there are an estimated 5.6 million wild turkeys and approximately 2.6 million turkey hunters. Since 1985, more than $146 million NWTF and cooperator dollars have been spent on over 16,000 projects benefiting wild turkeys throughout North America.
The NWTF is a 390,000-member grassroots, nonprofit organization with members in 50 states, Canada and 11 foreign countries. It supports scientific wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands as well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport.
For more information on the National Wild Turkey Federation, call (803) 637-3106, check out our web site at www.nwtf.org or e-mail questions to nwtf@nwtf.net.
Uploaded: 12/13/2001