Ohio Chapter’s Wheelin’ Sportsmen Hunt Hits the Mark
NWTF volunteers in Ohio provided an enriching opportunity at a recent Wheelin’ Sportsman event, which saw over two dozen deer harvested.
The NWTF’s Wheelin’ Sportsmen program showcases the passion and dedication of the NWTF’s volunteers – across the country, volunteers from state and local NWTF chapters help people with mobility impairments and other limitations enjoy the great outdoors by hosting hunting and shooting sports events.
Recently, 16 Wheelin’ hunters got the curated opportunity to hunt lands not typically open to hunting in Ohio.
The 1,336-acre Maumee Bay State Park is a unique environment created by the convergence of land and Lake Erie. The park boasts a wide range of outdoor opportunities for Ohioans, including an archery range, boating, fishing and more; however, the state park is not open to public hunting, but the NWTF Maumee Valley Chapter volunteers secured an opportunity to host its annual two-day Wheelin’ hunt at the state park..
Thirty-five NWTF volunteers from across the Buckeye State showed up at the Lucas County state park to ensure the Wheelin’ hunters had everything they needed for a successful two-day hunt. The volunteers performed an array of duties, whether it was helping guide the Wheelin’ hunters, tracking and transporting deer or simply whipping up some hot meals for more than 50 volunteers and hunters gathered to celebrate the outdoor lifestyle.
Among the volunteers were Jason Wojdyla, Sandusky County Chapter president and NWTF Ohio State Chapter board member, and Brent Combs, Wheelin’ Hunt co-chair, both of whom have been helping orchestrate the event for almost a decade.
“Our hunting heritage is something we want to share with anybody interested,” Wojdyla said. “With 35 volunteers from across the state ready to offer their time and experience with the hunters, it speaks to how passionate our team in Ohio is.”
Additional partners and sponsors of the event included Genoa Bank, Wright and Sons Construction, The Friends of Maumee Bay State Park and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
“Without these folks and all the volunteers, this would not be possible,” Wojdyla said. “Seeing the friendships being made and the stories being told is great. I look forward to this hunt every year and already am looking forward to planning next year's event.”
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