2013 SCI Wounded Warrior Deer Hunt - Day One

Parris Island Marine Corps color guard and quintet at the Wounded Warrior deer hunt

SCDNR law enforcement and a disabled deer hunter

Warriors check in with the WWP coordinator

The 9th annual SCI Wounded Warrior deer hunt began on Monday November 4 at Nemours Plantation. Nemours Director Ernie Wiggers addressed the gathered hunters to say that Safari Club International and the Nemours Wildlife Foundation are not alone in supporting this event, other sponsors include SCDNR, NRA and new for 2013 a cadre of service dogs. Hunt Director Mark Petterson shares that the goal each year os to have about 55 hunters come to the ACE Basin to hunt on properties that are rarely open to members of the public. The breakdown on hunters is usually 35 Wounded Warriors (mainly from Parris Island) plus ten disable hunters and ten youth special needs hunters. SCDNR's Lynwood Kearse, Junior Magwood and Chisolm Frampton were on hand to handle the deployment of the youth hunters. The live oak allee is draped in patriotic buntings and flag-waving supports gather for the 11 a.m. parade of Warriors as they arrive at Nemours. The registration serves to pair each hunter with a hunting guide from each property, and they receive a hunting gift bag that includes a blaze orange hat and hunting knife. The Marine color guard and quintet play the National Anthem so that all may remember the reason that they have gathered, to honor the sacrifices of those servicemen who go into harm's way so that others may live in freedom. A catered lunch is served and is a time of fellowship, with the Wounded Warrior Project officer ordering each Warrior to get to know their fellow brothers and to learn what help they might need. With much anticipation about hunting on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, the hunting parties depart into the ACE Basin.

This English Setter is a Therapy Dog

For past blog entires from the SCI Wounded Warrior deer hunt click 2012, 2011, 2010 or 2009.

Welcome parade with flags under the Oak Avenue