John Fritzell (WI)

I had a wonderful experience hunting and socializing with Wyoming Disabled Hunters during mid-September of 2026. After learning of being chosen for an antelope hunt, I quickly started assembling my gear, including, importantly, upgrading my scope to one appropriate for 200-300-yard shots, something I hadn’t taken in all my years hunting in the north woods of Wisconsin. I talked to Pat (the lodging & accessibility coordinator) about my needs and the needs of my 87-yr old mother who accompanied me on the long drive to WY. Pat assured me that they could accommodate for all our mobility & weakness issues. Upon my arrival at the Bull Moose Retreat, I was shown my first-floor room with a full private bath and king-sized bed which was more than adequate, although the bed-height proved a little challenging and would have also to even a 60-yr-old Henry VIII I’m sure .  Prior to making the trip, I also sent a few texts to Myles, the hunt coordinator, and discussed bringing my Freedom Trax (smallish tracked wheelchair) along for the hunt. It turned out that bringing the Freedom Trax along enhanced my hunting experience to the level of my dreams. My gracious hunting companions Jessie, Rick, and Gunner were all excited to see what it could do on the steppes of the Absaroka Range. We made two nice stalks before getting the perfect shot opportunity. Jessie carried my .243, Rick carried the Bog tripod, and Gunner carried the old boat cushions which, when placed on my lap, provided for the perfect rest for the ~200-yard shot. After spotting our second decent buck, we exited my Braun Mobility van and Rick’s truck onto an expansive, downward, southeast-facing slope of typical late-summer dried pasture, mostly devoid of sage at the top with flattish embedded rocks exposed on the slope. I could see and breath forever here at about 6,800 feet of elevation, and the Freedom Trax handled the terrain well. Of course, the buck too could see and breath forever here and quickly moved on us. Fortunately, as he moved, he failed his geometry test, angled to my 200-yard comfort zone and stopped for a glance. Jessie confirmed the range with his range finder as Rick set the tripod and Gunner helped me place the cushions. I think I murmured something like “here we go” as I settled in for the shot. It all happened in a flash, and my companions were as stoked as I was when Jessie “took a walk” and gave us the thumbs up from the slope of the ridge. What a fabulous day, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. The immensity of the landscape with the mountainous backdrops inspired my soul, it’s no wonder the antelope, with their eyes for distance, have come to live and thrive here, I did too, if even for a few short days. If you’re disabled and into hunting or just into getting outside in BIG humbling country, I’d can’t think of a better group to take you there than Wyoming Disabled Hunters (WDH). So many thanks to all who make it happen!