NYB is proud to announce US Army Sergeants Michael Bennett and Charles Harris took part in their most recent Wounded Veteran hunt which just concluded. Both men were given a Whitetail hunt which was donated by Ohio Trophy Buck Outfitters. NYB member support paid all other expenses for the two soldiers. Several members of NYB paid their own way in order to take part in this hunt and accompany these two brave American heroes. Twenty-three-year-old Charles Harris who hails from West Virginia lost both lower legs in an IED explosion approximately a year and a half ago. Sgt Harris who had hunted with firearms before his deployment always wanted to try bowhunting. On this trip he successfully took his first deer with a bow and arrow.
Sgt Bennett, who lives in the Adirondack region of New York, is dealing with a traumatic head injury (among other effects) as the result of an explosion in his vehicle which killed several of his fellow soldiers. This incident took place on his third deployment. He had a few close encounters with deer during the week long hunt, however passed up several opportunities that he felt were too far out of range for an ethical shot. He summed up this week as “…the best outdoor experience I have enjoyed in a very long time…”
Richard Kirschner, President of NYB claimed, “Being part of the camaraderie of this hunt and seeing the joy on the faces of these two American Heroes will always be one of the high points of my hunting career. I join both men in thanking the entire membership of NYB for making this hunt possible”.
NYB began its very own “Camo to Camo” program eight years ago which included; Outfitting several archery ranges for US troops serving in the Middle East. Another project which annually sends hundreds of pounds of gift boxes overseas to US military personnel. And most recently, though membership dues and fundraisers have sponsored several Wounded Veteran hunts.
For more information about NYB’s many programs that promote bowhunting, or to learn how you can help simply by becoming a member, check out the website at www.newyorkbowhunters.com .