I have said it before, but I love what I do for a living. My job has allowed me to meet incredible people over the years, and this year has been no different. I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Mr. Larry Frandson, who is the Vice President of the Wyoming Disabled Hunters organization, located in Cody, Wyoming.
The Wyoming Disabled Hunters organization was established in 2008, as a non-profit, all volunteer organization that provides hunting opportunities, for the disabled, at a minimum cost to the hunters due to generous donations from local, state, and national organizations, as well as many individuals. With the generous donations received during 2012 they were able to help defer the cost of licenses, transportation to Cody and many other associated costs.
Donations to this wonderful organization doesn’t start and end with money, but they also include places such as The Bull Moose Retreat up South Fork from Cody, and the Hyatt Ranch who provided the elk hunting location along with donated land owner tags. Food is donated to the organization for things such as the hunts themselves, banquets, and other gatherings, all organized to provide incredible experiences for the hunters and the means for these donations that keep this organization going strong.
It takes between 100 – 150 volunteers to successfully achieve the organizations goals through out the year and during the annual hunts. People like the Irma Flats Mothers Club, the Cody Cattle Women and the Cody High School Honor Students who took the time to prepare and serve the meals.
The Wyoming Disabled Hunters organization works closely with the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to help minimize the problems that the disabled hunters run into during the course of their hunt. Thanks to the organizations efforts, they had a part in the Wyoming Legislature in recently passing house Bill 0028 which will allow the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to draft regulations for the use of laser or artificial light for the visually impaired. The Commission is also working on simplified rules for companion hunter permits to allow a hunting companion of a disabled hunter to assist in tracking wounded game and eliminating the animal to minimize suffering by wounds inflicted by the disabled hunter. Incredible efforts to provide incredible experiences no matter the disability or impairment.
Take the time to visit their website at www.wyomingdisabledhunters.org, and take the time to visit and like them on Facebook. Also volunteers are always needed and they are currently needed for the 2013 season. Contact information is below. I would like to personally thank Larry for his, the boards, and all the volunteers for their efforts in changing lives for the better. I am a strong believer in the positive healing power of the outdoors, specifically hunting. Whether the needed healing is physical, emotional or even spiritual, hunting and having the full hunting experience has true healing power and the Wyoming Disabled Hunters organization is filled with incredible people on an incredible mission.
Contact them at: PO Box 2232 Cody, WY 82414; President Corey McGregor – coreym@wyoming.com, or Vice President Larry Frandson – lfrandson@gmail.com
HUNTING THE WEST 