Hunts for Wounded Warriors

Each year TNSCI hosts hunts for Warriors. This amazing program has changed the lives of many of our distinguished veterans.

Third annual Sporting Clay Fun Shoot Fundraiser was a great success

Sporting Clays Fundraiser for Annual ‘Hunts for Warriors’
Posted on August 7, 2015 by Richard Simms in Featured, Rhea County Outdoors

Recent events in Chattanooga have compelled most of us to be more aware of our military men and women and the dangers they face. Thousands of these men and women have been overseas and have witnessed the horrors of war, and far too many have sustained injuries.

There are many ways to show gratitude and give back in some way to these injured warriors. The Chattanooga based Tennessee Valley SCI Chapter is holding a Sporting Clays Fun Shoot Fundraiser to generate funding for the 2015 “Hunt for Warriors”.

“We strive to give the warriors on these hunts the best of everything that we can afford and that takes dollars” says Chapter Treasurer Chris Willmore.

The Tennessee Valley SCI Chapter, in cooperation with the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, has been quietly giving back for the last several years by hosting groups of injured warriors during the “Hunts for Warriors,” a whitetail deer management hunt in the Chattanooga area.

For the rest of the article click here

Each year the Tennessee Valley Chapter SCI hosts a Sporting Clay tournament to raise funds for our Hunts for Warriors which enable present and past wounded U.S. Military personnel an opportunity for a quality deer hunt.This year 5 teams competed for multiple prizes. A great time was had by all. Gary Curtin won the door prize shotgun

The winning team this year included Connie Hood, Casey Smith, Jeff Bleil, Brian Weas.

Wonderful times at the 2015 Annual Hunt for Warriors (read article here)

Fall Creek Falls Hunts for Warriors

Sunday through Wednesday December 4th, 2014. Tennessee Valley SCI hosted our second Hunts for Warriors this year. This was the first time we have had a hunt at Fall Creek Falls State park. The park went all out for us providing meals and rooms for the hunters. Although the weather was less than optimal, all our warriors had a wonderful time and many amazing deer were harvested.

Amazing times at Enterprise south!

Sunday October 19th, 2014 started our Hunts for Warriors with a bang! It was a fun day of shooting and sighting in guns, socializing and ended up with a band, bonfire and excellent food. Monday and Tuesday were even better with several awesome deer harvested. Many of our warriors had never had the opportunity to hunt before. The smiles were wide and plentiful!
A warrior, Brett Bender, wrote, " Definitely one of the highlights of my life. I can't thank Tennessee Valley Chapter of SCI and TWRA enough for having the wounded warrior's out. Especially like to thank Mike McDowell for a great morning hunt. Tagged out in an hour and a half on the first day. "
Click HERE to see the article in noonga.com
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Soldier Shares Compelling Testimony of Hunt at Enterprise South

Several TN Valley SCI members and concerned hunters attended the Hamilton County Commission meeting in support of hunts at Enterprise South

During the summer of 2014 a renewed controversy came to light regarding deer hunts on the Enterprise South Nature Park. The current controversy was essentially put to rest Wednesday (September 24,2014) when about 20 hunters showed up at the Hamilton County Commission meeting, along with a TWRA representative—and no one showed up in opposition. Words written by one soldier participant (SSG(R) Shawn Pedigo), which did not come to light until after Wednesday's meeting, illustrate what the opportunity to deer hunt at the park meant to him. Click here for full article and to read Shawn's testimony

The movie above was made by SCI at our 2013 Hunt for Warriors at Enterprise South

OUTDOORS Nooga.com

Warriors take to the duck blind with Tennessee Valley SCI

By Richard Simms
Published Thursday, December 5th 2013

It was a duck hunt like dozens of others—camouflaged men (and one woman) lined up in an underground pit. Out front was a flooded cornfield, the smooth water covered with decoys. In the corner, a retriever sat anxiously awaiting its opportunity to join the fray. As night gave way to day, ducks circled overhead. Fingers rested lightly on gun safeties, awaiting the time when someone said the magic words: "Take 'em."

For full article click HERE

Well-armed wildlife researchers converge on Enterprise South Nature Park

By Richard Simms
Published Friday, August 15th 2014
Wildlife Officer Joe McSpadden tapped on the roof of the pickup truck, and driver Bill Swan hit the brakes."Ease forward just a little, past that one bush," McSpadden said to Swan. Once past the bush, we had a fairly clear view of the white-tailed doe about 50 yards away. "It's a doe, right?" .........
................The deer killed Wednesday night do not go to waste. The Safari Club volunteers paid a local processor to butcher them. "This fall, we'll use the meat to host a venison dinner during the annual Hunt for Warriors," Swan said.
Two limited deer hunts are scheduled for ESNP this fall. An archery-only hunt (80 hunter quote) will be held Oct. 6–7, and the Hunt for Warriors is scheduled for Oct. 20–21. SEE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

TWRA / TN Valley SCI "Hunts for Warriors" in Chattanooga October 2013.

During the Fall Deer Hunt--Keith Watson writes, "Yesterday I had the honor to guide sgt Shawn Petigo to his first deer ever ( using a shotgun and slug). Today I had the additional privilege to guide as sgt Pedigo recorded another first - with his bow. You want this guy on your side!" See article Below

Specialist Barbara Alvarez said she had never been hunting until she was injured and got involved with the Army's Healing Outside of Hospitals Program. Now, she plans to share what she's learned with her daughter. (Photo: Richard Simms)

Col. Greg Estes "on point" as ducks circle overhead. (Photo: Richard Simms)

Hunt host Kenny Louden's young retriever in action. (Photo: Richard Simms)

(From left to right) Sgt. 1st Class Bobby Daugette, hunt host Garry Mason, hunt host Kenny Louden, Col. Greg Estes, Specialist Barbara Alvarez and Tennessee Valley SCI President Keith Watson. (Photo: Richard Simms)