2015 SCI Wounded Warrior Deer Hunt

TOMO hunter Jackson Thorpe with SCDNR's Mark Ferrell

For Veterans, Disabled and Youth hunters 

With ten years of experience putting on a whitetail deer hunt for U.S. veterans and others, organizer Mark Peterson had to postpone this special hunt for the first time ever. Wet weather had turned Lowcountry dirt roads to mud and the originally scheduled hunt dates of November 9 and 10 had to be pushed back one week. Changing logistics in such a drastic manner proved to be no obstacle though for this deer hunt and its core of volunteers who conducted the entire event with military precision under sunny skies.

Therapy Dogs work the event each year

While the Lowcountry Chapter of the Safari Club International (SCI) is the host organization for this annual Wounded Warrior deer hunt, they also choose to partner with other groups. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources sent Take One Make One (TOMO) director Mark Ferrell to the Lowcountry this year in order to take some youths hunting. White Hall Plantation hosted these youngsters and Jackson Thorpe was able to harvest a huge 8-point buck on that hunt.

Part of the mission statement for this annual hunt is to show the participants that hunting deer can be a therapeutic outdoor activity. As someone who has been attending the hunt for eleven years now, I’d say that goal is always accomplished. You can factor in the hospitality of the volunteers, and the beauty of the plantations of the ACE Basin, but it’s the natural resources of the Lowcountry that always shine brightly.  Finally, this hunt is a fine way to express appreciation for the patriotism, service and sacrifice of the Wounded Warrior hunters and it’s going to stay an important date on the deer season calendar, come rain or shine. 

To view this feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

Caterer Ben Moise and Organizer Mark Peterson

To view past blog entries on the SCI Wounded Warrior deer hunt click 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

To view past blog entries on SCDNR whitetail deer management click here.