SCI DESERT PARAPLEGIC DEER HUNT

How did you observe Veteran's Day? Las Vegas NV. paraplegic veteran Virgil Qualls celebrated it in style by taking a 9-point Texas whitetail thanks to SCI's Desert-Las Vegas Chapter.

Chapter President, and new Region 7 Representative, Dave Small was contacted by Virgil last year on behalf of Paralyzed Veterans of Nevada and asked if we had a disabled hunter program. Dave didn't like his answer, which was basically no. All the big game tags are on a lottery basis.

He thought about it for a couple months, and decided Texas was a better opportunity to make this work. With my chapter board's agreement, Dave was able to buy a donated management whitetail hunt at the Exotic Wildlife Association's trophy banquet in Kerrville. He explained the plan to the donor guides, Butch Hendrickson and Wendy White, and they were really enthusiastic to help. Virgil was a career Marine who has been paralyzed since a 1979 car accident. The morning of Veterans' Day found us in a blind built out of hay bales. After seeing more than 30 deer, Virgil killed his buck with one shot at almost 130 yards. What a great day!

Dave hopes this is only the first of what I think would be a great annual chapter program. He would like to thank the Cedar Canyon Ranch owner, Dr. Ned Kreidel, for making Virgil's hunt possible, and our guides, Butch and Wendy of Butch and Wendy's Hunting Adventures for making Virgil's hunt successful.

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