Organization grants teen’s wish

THE ADVOCATE/MARK SALTZJ.R. Owens demonstrates how he uses his mouth to control sighting his rifle while he hunts deer at Beechwood Grove Plantation in Clinton. At left, peering from behind the equipment, is Frank Pirie, one of two men who arranged for Owens to have special equipment to make the hunt possible.’” o:button=”t” href=”http://media.2theadvocate.com/images/peo+hunter+020309.jpg” alt=”J.R. Owens demonstrates how he uses his mouth to control sighting his rifle while he hunts deer at Beechwood Grove Plantation in Clinton. At left, peering from behind the equipment, is Frank Pirie, one of two men who arranged for Owens to have special equipment to make the hunt possible.” o:spid=”_x0000_i1025″>

MARK SALTZ/THE ADVOCATE

J.R. Owens demonstrates how he uses his mouth to control sighting his rifle while he hunts deer at Beechwood Grove Plantation in Clinton. At left, peering from behind the equipment, is Frank Pirie, one of two men who arranged for Owens to have special equipment to make the hunt possible.

• By EMILY KERN HEBERT
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Feb 3, 2009 – Page: 1E – UPDATED: 12:45 a.m.

A paralyzed teenager from Zachary hunted for the first time since his accident using special equipment designed just for him that he operates using his head.

Several people and organizations working together made the trip possible for 18-year-old J.R. Owens.

The assistance came from both former and current sheriffs, companies in Indiana and Denham Springs, and two local men who have made it their ministry to take disabled children hunting.

The hunt was successful, with Owens killing a mature doe on the first day of the trip.

“I shot the deer one time,” Owens said, the happiness evident in his eyes and smile.

“It didn’t run. It dropped right there,” he said.

Owens, a quadriplegic, had last hunted during the 2005 season, in either November or December. He was 15 years old.

He was hurt July 23, 2006, while riding dirt bikes with friends. The accident happened 10 days before his 16th birthday.

The boys were making circles around a group of trees, Owens’ mother, Gayla Burke, said, and Owens’ bike flipped on top of him. His head was pushed up against a tree and he was not breathing.

Although a friend immediately started CPR while another went for help, doctors at the hospital that night told Owens’ mother he would not make it through the night.

“They told me definitively he would die,” Burke said.

The next morning, Owens was still alive, but the prognosis from doctors remained grim.

“I had three different doctors tell me he would never form a cognitive sentence,” Burke said. “He wouldn’t talk, wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t know what planet he was on.”

Today, Owens is an honor roll student at Northeast High School and scheduled to graduate in May.

At a party celebrating Owens’ 18th birthday, former East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Greg Phares asked Owens if there was something he wanted to do that he hadn’t been able to do since the accident. Phares had kept in touch with the family after the accident since Burke works as a sheriff’s deputy.

Owens mentioned hunting.

Phares contacted Andy Bishop and Frank Pirie, who are affiliated with the United Special Sportsman Alliance.

The organization grants wishes to critically ill and disabled children. It specializes in sending them on the outdoor adventure of their dreams, according to the Web site, http://www.childswish.com.

Bishop and Pirie have taken other children on hunting trips, including those with leukemia and spina bifida. But, they had never worked with someone with physical limitations as severe as Owens’.

Still, they were determined to make this hunt happen.

“If I was in the shape J.R. was in, I would hope someone would take the time for me,” Bishop explained.

“These families are suffering. They live in this daily. If I can take them out of that environment for one day, it’s worth it,” he said.

Owens’ mother sent the men pictures of Owens’ wheelchair and explained how he is able to control it using a toggle switch he operates with his chin.

The men arranged for a Columbia City, Ind., company, BE Adaptive Equipment, to build a rifle cradle to support Owens’ weapon along with a special triggering device that Owens activates by sucking on a straw. The company’s motto is “If you can dream it, we can build it.”

Similar to his chair, Owens uses a toggle switch to position the gun back and forth and up and down.

He sights his prey using a special video monitor that fits on top of the rifle scope. It was designed and built by Ricky Hope in Denham Springs by his company; Wildlife Optics. The name of the sighting device is the Trophy Shot.

The best part, Owens said, is now he can hunt every year with assistance.

“I was with J.R. when he pulled the trigger,” Pirie said. “It was the most challenging and the most exciting hunt I’ve ever been on. It couldn’t have been more perfect.”

Burke said she wants to let others in Owens’ condition know that the possibility to hunt exists.

“If it hadn’t been for Greg (Phares), I wouldn’t have known about any of this,” she said.

Others who were instrumental in making the hunt happen included Roy Paxton, a range instructor for the Sheriff’s Office, who helped Owens practice.

Burke said Paxton spent all day letting Owens get comfortable with the gun.

Current Sheriff Sid Gautreaux gave Owens permission to practice at the range and gave Burke time off from work to spend with her son.

The hunting trip took place over two days — the first day at John Barton’s Beech Grove Plantation in Clinton, while the second day took place on property owned by Ken Phares, Greg Phares’ brother.

On the hunt, the group met a father and son taxidermy team from Eunice. The men, Julius and Ben Bischoff, offered to mount the deer for free and send it to Owens.

“It made me feel very special because they didn’t know me,” Owens said of everyone who made the hunt possible.

MARK SALTZ/THE ADVOCATE

J.R. Owens demonstrates how he uses his mouth to control sighting his rifle while he hunts deer at Beechwood Grove Plantation in Clinton. At left, peering from behind the equipment, is Frank Pirie, one of two men who arranged for Owens to have special equipment to make the hunt possible.

FEATURES

Organization grants teen’s wish

• By EMILY KERN HEBERT
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Feb 3, 2009 – Page: 1E – UPDATED: 12:45 a.m.

A paralyzed teenager from Zachary hunted for the first time since his accident using special equipment designed just for him that he operates using his head.

Several people and organizations working together made the trip possible for 18-year-old J.R. Owens.

The assistance came from both former and current sheriffs, companies in Indiana and Denham Springs, and two local men who have made it their ministry to take disabled children hunting.

The hunt was successful, with Owens killing a mature doe on the first day of the trip.

“I shot the deer one time,” Owens said, the happiness evident in his eyes and smile.

“It didn’t run. It dropped right there,” he said.

Owens, a quadriplegic,  had last hunted during the 2005 season, in either November or December. He was 15 years old.

He was hurt July 23, 2006, while riding dirt bikes with friends. The accident happened 10 days before his 16th birthday.

The boys were making circles around a group of trees, Owens’ mother, Gayla Burke, said, and Owens’ bike flipped on top of him. His head was pushed up against a tree and he was not breathing.

Although a friend immediately started CPR while another went for help, doctors at the hospital that night told Owens’ mother he would not make it through the night.

“They told me definitively he would die,” Burke said.

The next morning, Owens was still alive, but the prognosis from doctors remained grim.

“I had three different doctors tell me he would never form a cognitive sentence,” Burke said. “He wouldn’t talk, wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t know what planet he was on.”

Today, Owens is an honor roll student at Northeast High School and scheduled to graduate in May.

At a party celebrating Owens’ 18th birthday, former East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Greg Phares asked Owens if there was something he wanted to do that he hadn’t been able to do since the accident. Phares had kept in touch with the family after the accident since Burke works as a sheriff’s deputy.

Owens mentioned hunting.

Phares contacted Andy Bishop and Frank Pirie, who are affiliated with the United Special Sportsman Alliance.

The organization grants wishes to critically ill and disabled children. It specializes in sending them on the outdoor adventure of their dreams, according to the Web site, http://www.childswish.com.

Bishop and Pirie have taken other children on hunting trips, including those with leukemia and spina bifida. But, they had never worked with someone with  physical limitations as severe as Owens’.

Still, they were determined to make this hunt happen.

“If I was in the shape J.R. was in, I would hope someone would take the time for me,” Bishop explained.

“These families are suffering. They live in this daily. If I can take them out of that environment for one day, it’s worth it,” he said.

Owens’ mother sent the men pictures of Owens’ wheelchair and explained how he is able to control it using a toggle switch he operates with his chin.

The men arranged for a Columbia City, Ind., company, BE Adaptive Equipment, to build a rifle cradle to support Owens’ weapon along with a special triggering device that Owens activates by sucking on a straw. The company’s motto is “If you can dream it, we can build it.”

Similar to his chair, Owens uses a toggle switch to position the gun back and forth and up and down.

He sights his prey using a special video monitor, the Trophy Shot, that fits on top of the rifle scope. It was designed and built by Ricky Hope in Denham Springs under his company name; Wildlife Optics. For more information on this product you can look at their web site: www.wildlifeoptics.com

The best part, Owens said, is now he can hunt every year with assistance.

“I was with J.R. when he pulled the trigger,” Pirie said. “It was the most challenging and the most exciting hunt I’ve ever been on. It couldn’t have been more perfect.”

Burke said she wants to let others in Owens’ condition know that the possibility to hunt exists.

“If it hadn’t been for Greg (Phares), I wouldn’t have known about any of this,” she said.

Others who were instrumental in making the hunt happen included Roy Paxton, a range instructor for the Sheriff’s Office, who helped Owens practice.

Burke said Paxton spent all day letting Owens get comfortable with the gun.

Current Sheriff Sid Gautreaux gave Owens permission to practice at the range and gave Burke time off from work to spend with her son.

The hunting trip took place over two days — the first day at John Barton’s Beech Grove Plantation in Clinton, while the second day took place on property owned by Ken Phares, Greg Phares’ brother.

On the hunt, the group met a father and son taxidermy team from Eunice. The men, Julius and Ben Bischoff, offered to mount the deer for free and send it to Owens.

“It made me feel very special because they didn’t know me,” Owens said of everyone who made the hunt possible.

My guides Jason, Paul, Terry, and myself with my Pronghorn.

Jim Zumbo and Devia

The camera mounted on top of the scope is the Trophy Shot by Wildlife Optics

After a short time, Jason, who was now in the driver’s seat, started to wonder why I hadn’t taken a shot and looked away from the buck to see what was going on with me. We quickly repositioned, and Terry decided to hold onto the handgrip under the barrel at the window while Paul slid in behind me and held the butt of the gun tight to my shoulder. After that, I could clearly see the buck through my Trophy Shot (see pic). We quickly settled the crosshairs on the antelope’s shoulder and … he moved! My buck started to walk away, turning his butt toward me as he did. I was afraid we’d spooked him, afraid I’d missed my chance, when all of a sudden he stopped again and turned broadside. Once again, we lined him up and this time I pulled the trigger … Bang!

Devia with her 14" Pronghorn Antelope

Jason, Paul, Tami, Mike, Terry, myself and my pronghorn

The Story of Spencer McMillen’s Elk Hunt

By Rick White

In September of 2004, Spencer McMillen, came to the Outdoor Buddies sight-in at the Lockheed-Martin shooting range southwest of Denver all the way from his home just east of Greeley. His mission was to make sure that Outdoor Buddies was confident that his shooting skills and safety met the criteria needed to harvest an elk near Estes Park. A long time friend Roger Viefhauf accompanied Spencer.

Spencer qualifying without the Trophy Shot

Sid Sellers, Dwaine Robey and Larry Davis all attended the sight-in day at the shooting complex. Sid was most concerned that Spencer might not be able to get ready for a shot at an elk quickly enough and also was concerned that by having two people look in the scope there was a high probability that a clean harvest of one of the Estes Park elk might be compromised. It was decided that Spencer, with Roger’s help, would need much more practice. Thus Spencer left pretty dejected when he was told he was not going to get to hunt that fall.

All felt that Spencer and Roger needed to develop a method that would allow Spencer to stay locked in on the elk, rather than move his head and perhaps pull himself off when he moved.

Not wanting to leave Spencer without better direction, Outdoor Buddies Larry Davis and Dwaine Robey did some research into available special equipment that had actually been used by blind hunters and proven to be successful. After some research, they found Wildlife Optics, via their Internet web site (www.wildlifeoptics.com), located in Denham Springs, Louisiana. Wildlife Optics had developed a device they call Trophy Shot. The Trophy Shot mounts on the scope of a gun and displays the actual scope picture that you or I would see onto a screen. With that screen clearly visible to Roger who looks over Spencer’s shoulder, what Spencer would be seeing in the scope could be seen by Roger without anyone having to move. Spencer could align and shoot without ever moving once the shot was set. This device seemed perfect!

Since it is not the policy of Outdoor Buddies to purchase special equipment for any individual hunter, a few people raised the money and the device was purchased. (Wildlife Optics did sell us the device at cost. A large Outdoor Buddies thanks to them for developing the device and discounting it back to Outdoor Buddies.)

Upon obtaining the device it was shipped to Spencer for mounting on his firearm and the practicing began almost immediately. As Roger and Spencer worked on the best method to use the device, they also decided that they should be able to get on an animal quickly and practice enough for them to be able to get both horizontal and vertical adjustments done swiftly.

With that in mind, Spencer and Roger devised another apparatus for the hunt. Roger, having worked for the Weld County shops for years was very clever in developing a two-seater shooting platform. It was mounted in the back of a truck. (Yes, Spencer did have his permit to discharge a firearm from a vehicle.) The device seated Roger behind Spencer and then it pivoted quickly to a position that was vertically in place. All that was left then was for Roger to give Spencer some hand signals whether to raise or lower his firearm. Roger signaled with squeezes on the shoulders. The system was used during practice session after practice.

The team was now ready to try the Outdoor Buddies hunt readiness test again. In early November, Roger and Spencer traveled to Estes Park to prove to Larry Davis that they could now pass the test. As hunt coordinator, Larry called me almost immediately to inform me that they had passed with flying colors. They were able to get on the target quickly and shot a very impressive pattern at 100 yards. After a year of preparation and numerous trials and errors, the two were ready to go elk hunting.

December17, 2005 found Spencer and Roger in Estes Park teamed with Lowell Fairchild, a Handi-buddy from Kansas and his long time friend JR Heldenbrand. JR is the President of Outdoor Buddies of Kansas, located in Kingman, Kansas. Outdoor Buddies hunt coordinators Larry Davis and Rick White joined these hunters.

It was a beautiful day and lots of elk were seen, but no cow elk were on any property that Outdoor Buddies can hunt on.

The morning of the 18th started the same way. About 7:30 A.M. some elk were spotted just behind one of the properties we have permission to hunt on. The elk however, had different ideas than to wonder through our property. While Roger and Spencer were in the shooting device and waiting for the elk to come to us, the elk sensed the danger and went the other way! While we were sitting there, local residents, Steve Toms and his son were searching for an elk. They know Larry and stopped to inquire what was happening. Larry explained what we were doing and the locals asked if they could help. Larry said no thank you, unless you could make some elk appear! With that the groups split up and we went back to hunting.

As we rounded the next corner, here was Steve whom we had just met waiving us down. He informed us that there were three elk, two cows and a spike bull, on a piece of property that they had permission to hunt.

They opened the gates, the truck was pulled in out of site until Spencer and Roger could get back into position. The truck was backed up to put Spencer in position for a shot. Spencer made a good shot on the elk and the fat cow was his. As is often the case, high fives were given, pictures were taken, a little remorse was felt, and a slap on the back was given to all who helped.

This ‘Blind Hunter’ hunt epitomizes Outdoor Buddies. It takes perseverance to overcome each individual’s limitations. It takes preparation and practice in real life shooting situations. It takes Able-Buddies who care, who want to help in any way they can. It takes cooperation from landowners who allow us to hunt and from hunt coordinators who sacrifice their days off to be part of these great hunts We are blessed to see God’s awesome creation, the Rockies, the elk, coyotes and deer; and if God so allows us that day, it all comes to fruition. If we do not harvest an animal that is OK too, but with the harvest comes the icing on every hunter’s cake.

SPENCER MCMILLEN 10 2009

NWTF LETTER FROM ANDY SINGLETON 4 2010

NWTF TURKEY HUNT 4 2010

Hey Ricky,

Here are some pictures of my moose and mule deer. The Trophy Shot camera has been working great.

                       Your friend:     DILLON.

DAN PRESKEY WITH HIS 2010 MOOSE AND HIS TROPHY SHOT

DAN WITH AN IMPRESSIVE WHITETAIL

DAN PRESKEY WITH ANOTHER 2010 MOOSE

THIS IS WHAT THE TROPHY SHOT IS ALL ABOUT

DAN CAN ONLY SEE 20 YARDS OR LESS AND HAS TO USE A WALKER TO MOVE AROUND BUT STILL KILLS THE BIG ONES USING HIS TROPHY SHOT

A CANCER PATIENT WITH HELP SIGHTING IN THE ANIMAL USING THE TROPHY SHOT

cancer hunter w TS getting help

Target practice before hunt with sight in helper

With the Trophy Shot I was able to put the crosshairs on this nice doe, twice. The first time I lined her up with my beadaptive HQ 100 rifle rest, she decided to turn and head the opposite direction before I could pull the trigger. I followed her and eventually she stopped and gave me enough time to make it count. She only ran about 50 yards.

Thanks Ricky.
Sincerely,
Brian Woodward
<<Brian and deer.JPG>>

Brian Woodward with his Trophy Shot doe

Hello Everyone,                                                                                

My sincerest congratulations for your successful corroboration and hunt!

Vanessa Ross

National Rifle Association Manager, Disabled Shooting Services

Hi all,

 Mike and I have another successful hunter on our hands. Congrats to them!!!! They used the Trophy shot camera equipment and claw. 

 Thanks to Ricky and Cade for all your support…. And the NRA Vanessa

Mike and Chele

—– Forwarded Message —-
From: Kim Hodges <horriblekimhodges@gmail.com>
To: Mike Sanders <mikeupdates@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sun, November 21, 2010 12:53:14 PM
Subject: Deer pictures

Here is the picture from right after the kill. It was one shot and it went down where it was standing. The shot was difficult because we were in a tree stand and the buck came from behind and to our left. The rail on the left was too high for where I was sitting so I had to hold the gun on my bicep to angle it down and to the left while I continued facing forward. My buddy Dan told me lower and I was on the deer. I was still holding the rifle with one arm and he told me a little to the right, a little more and then down and fire. I squeezed the trigger and the shot was perfect. I was so excited that I hollered so loud the rest of our hunting camp heard me 600 yards away; lol. This was an awesome experience and I can’t wait to go again. My buddy Dan was almost more excited than I was. For reference the deer might look small but it’s a decent size. I’m just a large man (6′5 and 250lbs); field dressed the deer weighed in at the processors at 120lbs so we are really happy. This is just the beginning and it’s all thanks to you guys. We will plug you and mike and the creator of the Trophy Shot camera and the claw with the Department of Natural Resources here so they can help other blind folks hunt or learn to hunt. Thanks again and God bless your family.

Kim Hodges

Sent from my iPhone

Another successful blind hunter with deer 11 20 2010

DEVIA ELLER STORY – HUNTER PROFILE

My hunting history…

SIGHTING IN HER NEW TROPHY SHOT WITH RIFLE

My name is Devia Eller. I’m 36 years old and I was born and raised in North Carolina. I wasn’t really that into hunting growing up, but in my teens I used to go out with my dad into the woods when he’d go whitetail deer hunting. He showed me what to look for, like noticing such things as rubs and bedding areas, in order to find deer. And he taught me how to use his grunt call and rattling horns. The more he took me out, the more I learned. The more I wanted to experience it for myself.

 So, I asked, and dad told me the first thing I needed was to shoot. Next thing I knew, we were out shooting with his 243 at deer shaped target. I quickly learned where the vital areas on the targets were and where I needed to aim to take down the deer in one shot.

 Finally, the day came when it was time to go hunting. I don’t have to tell you how extremely excited I was. There I was in the woods, decked out in camo, being quiet and still, patiently waiting for a deer to show up. Unfortunately, nothing did. I didn’t see anything that first day, but I still had a couple days left before the season ended. I know. I know. I got started too late but better late than… you know. The last two days of hunting passed and I my tag went empty. Suffice it to say, I was disappointed, but I knew I’d be back next year. I knew then I’d have more time to prepare for the season, or least I thought I did.

 In June of the following year, I was in a car accident that left me with a C-4/5 sci (spinal cord injury). I was 19. It was the summer of 1991, and I truly believed, suddenly a quadriplegic, that hunting for me was lost forever.

DEVIA LOOKING AT THE SCREEN DURING PRACTICE

 Right after rehab, I decided to take a couple of years off to get used to my new life. I went back to college where I earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and started volunteering with a nonprofit organization near where I lived. I enjoyed volunteering and found it very rewarding, (that’s why I still do it still today), but come every fall when deer season opened, I found myself longing to go hunting again. Hearing the hunters in my family tell their stories when they came in and seeing the deer they had harvested made me quite envious. It got to be more than I could take. So I started looking. I got online and found a site called Care Cure where I came across some interesting threads, some threads about disabled hunters. From there I heard about another website called Follow Me Outdoors, this one, which had information on quads and some of the equipment that aided them in their hunting. The site’s creator, Chad, answered all my questions and gave me some people to contact in my area. I was beginning to believe that it might be possible. Through his contacts, I met George Bolender and Ed Mays, both of whom got me involved in their organizations and helped to fund my equipment, the High Quad 100 and Trophy Shot. Because of them I was able to get back into the woods, able to feel goose bumps and my heart race when I hear the sound of deer coming, able to get so excited that I can hardly breathe (you know the feeling), able to look forward to something again. Wow, I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed that last part. After receiving my equipment, the North Carolina Handicapped Sportsmen Organization put me on the list for a hunting trip to Caldwell County, NC. Now it was so close I could almost taste it. LOL! Dad put my rig together for me, mounted it on my power chair, and we pretty much practiced shooting as much as we could after that. In the fall of 2007, Dad & I arrived early on a Thursday afternoon in November for the 3 day hunt, my first in 16 years. Once we met everyone and got acquainted, my two guides Jerry & Richard took dad & me out to our blind.

DEVIA WITH HER GUIDES FOR THE HUNT

Me and guides Jerry Warren & Richard McGee during hunter orientation on the Caldwell Co. Hunt

This is the view I had on my very first hunt in 16 years. What a beautiful sigh

There I sat, covered in camouflage, inhaling cool air. I felt totally alive. I didn’t care if I even saw a deer. It was enough just to be in the woods again. I loved the solitude; it’s a part of life that’s still the same for me. It’s a little different, but it’s as close to normalcy that I can get. Suddenly, we started seeing some squirrels scurrying in and out of the trees toward the bait pile. For some reason I was getting anxious, something else I hadn’t felt in a long time. I hoped it wouldn’t be much long now. I hoped for a deer to come out. There I sat quiet and still, watching the field to the right, left, and in front of me. A gray fox came down the line and started across in front of us.

He paused, glancing down the field at something before running off into the woods. All of a sudden I felt chill bumps and my heart began to race. Seconds later, out he came. A beautiful six-point buck strolled out, making his way to the bait. Instantly I felt my adrenaline kick in. My heart beat harder as I focused on breathing and staying calm, which wasn’t easy. I started pointing my rifle in the direction I thought he would go, hoping he would continue on his path.

And here he came; up to the bait pile and turned broadside. It couldn’t have been more perfect. I sipped on the straw which touched off my trigger. And down he went. I couldn’t have been more excited at that moment. I had just taken my first buck.

If anyone wants to contact me to find out more about my rig and hunting experiences, you can email me at deviae@skybest.com.

 Hope you liked my story.

View Photo Album

Dr. Brunson and a successful hunter

George Bolender with a Great deer. George is a long-time supporter and user of the Trophy Shot and helps other hunters get units so they can get back in the outdoors. Thanks for everything you do George.

SPENCER MCMILLEN 10 2009