"Chairman"

I was first introduced to hunting in 1992, through the Managed Deer Hunt for the Disabled program at Smithville Lake. It’s a 2-day hunt, held on the last weekend of Missouri’s firearm season. I exclusively hunted at Smithville Lake, until 1995. The hunting seed had been firmly planted, by then.

In 1995, I was invited to hunt in the Ozarks with my in-law’s. After experiencing hunting on private land, I knew what I had to do. I just couldn’t get enough, since the managed hunts only offers 2 days a year of hunting. My wife & I immediately started looking for our own hunting property. We were on a mission.

We moved to the West Central Missouri region, in the Fall of 1996. In March of 1997, we found what we were looking for. Eighty acres of hardwoods, with plenty of deer & turkey habitat. I became like a kid in a candy store. I’ve had nothing but hunting on the brain, ever since.

After settling in, I discovered that there was another managed deer hunt for the disabled offered locally. The Sunrise Optimists of Warsaw, and the Army Corp of Engineers, held their managed deer hunt a week before Missouri’s firearm season. I applied for the Truman Lake hunt, and was drawn for the 1998 hunt. I’ve been drawn for the hunt, ever since.

Personally, hunting has become about more than just filling my tags. It’s about spending time outdoors ~ getting away from the hustle & bustle of everyday life. In my opinion, there’s no better way to spend time with family & friends. Mother Nature has a way of melting away my problems, and recharging my batteries ~ so to speak. There is no better “therapy”, that I’m aware of.

Since I’ve started hunting, I’ve met some of the most kind, considerate & helpful people ever ~ hunters. They’re a top-notch bunch of folks, in my book. I hunt as much as I’m able, which wouldn’t have been possible without them.

When I first started hunting, I hunted the firearm season exclusively. Now that I own my own hunting property, I can hunt the bow & muzzleloader seasons too. Last year, I decided to try hunting with a handgun. I’ve come to recognize the fact, that the possibilities are limit-less. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.