CLARK COUNTY, Wis. (WEAU) – Each year, one week in October is designated as the Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities. The week gives all hunters in Wisconsin the chance to get outdoors.
Clack County is home to one nonprofit helping make this happen because the hunters may not get the chance otherwise.
“It really is a magical experience for someone in my situation or other situations similar,” Joe Fockler, a hunter and board member with Rock Creek Disabled Outdoors, said.
Before the deer hunting season officially starts, neon can already be seen in around 7,700 acres of private land in Clark County.
“It gives them a chance to get out to do something that each and every one of us loves to do,” Scott Hausauer, a board member with Rock Creek Disabled Outdoors, said. “Everybody in this organization is extremely proud of what they do and proud of the outdoors.”
Rock Creek Disabled Outdoors is hosting its 27th Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities.
“Those hunters come in here and their whole demeanor of life changes because they’re part of a group,” Chad Wiskow, a volunteer and board member, said.
“There are very few events in this area that you can get out and go, you know, do anything,” Fockler said. “This is one of the great ones.”
With the support of guides, these hunters can harvest deer in a community that prioritizes this experience for them.
“At any point in time, one of us could end up disabled and having an organization that provides that for those people, I think is very important,” Wiskow said.
For those involved, that’s the whole point. Sharing an experience they can all cherish.
“That’s the big thing to us, is, let’s give them something bright,” Hausauer said. “They deal with enough challenges the way it is in their life. Let’s give them something that they can forget about.”
“The hunters are so appreciative of what we do here, and the guides are so happy to take the hunters out,” Fockler said. “It’s just an unbelievably great environment to want to be a part of.
Rock Creek Disabled Outdoors is a nonprofit organization run solely by donors and volunteers. Those involved said the organization is always looking for more volunteers. If you are interested in participating in the hunt or volunteering, contact the organization at 715-937-5109 or send an email to sunsetpinesresortrcdo@gmail.com.
Donations to the organization can be made to Rock Creek Disabled Outdoors and sent to W9210 Rock Creek Road, Willard, WI 54493.