Paralyzed Vets enjoy hunting experience at Townsend Range

A group of Georgia Air National Guardsmen assigned to Brunswick's Townsend Bombing Range and a handful of local outdoorsmen are making a big difference in the lives of paralyzed American military veterans.

On Veterans' Day weekend, volunteers including 14 Air Guardsmen hosted 12 paralyzed American veterans during a three-day hunting experience on the sprawling 5100-acre National Guard range in south Georgia.

"We love getting these guys back out in the woods to hunt," said Master Sgt. Brian Leverette, who organized the first hunt back in 2003 and has been involved each year in the annual event.

For many vets the hunt offers the opportunity to be outside and enjoy a sport that many thought may have been no longer possible to them.

Since the first PVA hunt, more than 50 disabled hunters have shared the excitement of a hunt at Townsend Range. Leverette said that the aim of this hunt, and of many outdoor sports activities sponsored by the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), is to improve the quality of life of paralyzed and disabled veterans. It provides them opportunities in sports and recreation, especially activities that enhance lifetime health.

This year, the 12 disabled military vets were paired with the volunteers for the three-day event. Kicking off at 4:30 a.m., the veterans were escorted into the dense woods and swamplands around the range to hunt for deer and wild hogs. The range is rich with wild game and annually hosts several controlled archery, black powder and rifle hunts for local outdoor enthusiasts.

"As with any hunt, safety is of overwhelming importance," said Leverette. Every hunter and volunteer carries a radio, and every blind is carefully plotted on a map. The local game warden briefs hunters daily on hunting safety. All food plots are carefully located on maps and hunters are strategically located both for individual safety and for ideal hunting opportunities.

From dawn to dusk each day, the vets are positioned in ground blinds or hydraulic lift deer stands throughout the property. This year's hunt resulted in ten deer and two hogs being taken. A disabled Iraqi veteran participating in the hunt for the first time bagged an 8-point buck. T

he PVA hunt also attracted the interest of “Tall Tales,” a regional outdoor sports TV program. The special Townsend hunt segment is scheduled to air early next year.

Another thing that makes this hunt different is what awaits disabled hunters when they return each day from the field. "We make sure that a hot and fulfilling lunch with a local flair is ready for them when they come out of the woods," say Leverette. Over the three days, Leverette and his volunteers prepared southern meals of steak, shrimp and fish for the hungry hunters and volunteers. The afternoon break provides time to compare notes and share in the camaraderie before they go back out in the afternoon.

For those lucky enough to have taken game, local hunters are on hand to take care of the game and prepare coolers for the hunters to take at the end of the hunt. B

eyond the annual PVA hunts at the range, Leverette, an avid hunter and fisherman, often personally hosts disabled vets sent to him by the PVA on hunting and fishing excursions to south Georgia. "

What I receive from these hunts? Lots of smiling faces," admits Leverette. It’s a sentiment echoed by many of the volunteers. “It's also rewarding to know that for some of these guys just getting back outdoors on a hunt restores their spirit and provide hope to do the things they once felt impossible,” he added.