No physical challenge too big for this hunt

McCOOK, Neb. -- Opening up the world of hunting to physically challenged individuals is the goal behind a special hunt this weekend in Southwest Nebraska.

John Brod of Bloomfield, Indiana, president of the non-profit Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America, Inc. (PCBA), is in McCook this weekend to help with the event. The organization has helped thousands of physically challenged people learn how to participate in the sport of archery in spite of their disabilities.

The hunt is planned for today, Friday and Saturday. Anyone with a physical challenge and interested in participating is encouraged to call the Nebraska representative, John Fox of Culbertson, Nebraska, at (308)278-2165 or 340-7462.

The organization survives on donations from individual and corporate sponsors and has about 800 members. They come from across the U.S. and often have saved all year to go on a hunt, Brod said. "They're not looking for the big bucks or trophies, just the chance to go out and hunt," he said Wednesday night. PCBA helps in finding adaptive equipment for the hunters and local representatives find volunteers to assist those who are hunting.

About 15 hunts are organized each year. The first hunt in Nebraska was last year in Lewellen, Nebraska, but that land has since been leased out to other hunters, Brod said.

But Southwest Nebraska landowners have stepped up and offered their property this year, said Fox. He's been working for about a year on contacting landowners, local businesses and volunteers, who were willing to donate land, blinds or time for this hunt.

Getting people out among nature and the camaraderie among the hunters is the best part, said Mike Skolout, one of the landowners who has donated a portion of his property for the hunt. There's a lot of downtime waiting for deer, when hunters talk and swap stories. "It's a very enjoyable sport. It's not so much getting the animal but the experience of the hunt. There's a lot of gratification in creating a memory for someone," he said. Another landowner, Mike Langan, wants to share archery and the outdoor experience with those who normally don't get to such things. "There's a lot of wildlife out there and the world of these people gets pretty closed in. This is just a very peaceful place to be."

There is no physical challenge -- or mud or weather conditions -- that will keep them from getting someone out on a hunt, Brod said, citing other participants that were wheelchair-bound, blind or not having the use of arms or legs. "We're all equal out there," he said. "This is a life-changing experience for many."

Those donating land for the hunt include Skolout in Red Willow County, Langan in Hayes County and Greg and Terry Bauer in Culbertson. Helpers, those who assist in the logistics and manpower for the hunt, are Tanner Bauer and Todd Bauer of Culbertson, Dave Carfield of McCook and Dennis Dahlkoetter of Grant, Nebraska. Donating blinds are Todd Rippin of Culbertson, Rick Klug of McCook, Carfield and Dahlkoetter.