On Sept. 15 and 16, disabled outdoor sportsmen (men, women and children) from around the country descended upon Bear Creek in Chatham County for the annual Back in the Woods Again Hunt. The event, now in its seventh year, was founded in 2011 by Tommy Estridge (a paralyzed former bull rider) and Jerome Davis.

The purpose of the event is to provide hunters who have physical disabilities with a safe hunting environment and a chance to get into the woods again. It is currently the largest event of its kind in the United States. By providing lodging, gear and an area to hunt, local landowners, donors and churches work together to create a memorable experience for each and every hunter in attendance.

This year, 87 hunters and hundreds of volunteers and donors were in attendance. Employees and members of the Commission’s Law Enforcement Division assisted with planning, licensing hunters and educating participants on hunting best practices and different methods of take. Track chairs were provided by the Commission to assist those who found it difficult to traverse the terrain via wheelchair, and meals were provided by local churches and volunteers.

The diverse group of hunters had a successful weekend, which concluded with more than 70 deer harvested over the two-day event. The deer were taken using various methods, including archery, rifle and shotgun. Commission staff assisted with registering the deer, weighing and aging them and collecting samples for Chronic Wasting Disease testing.

The Back in the Woods Again hunt occurs on the same weekend every year, so if you or someone you know is disabled and would like to attend this fantastic hunting opportunity next year, bookmark the Back in the Woods Again website and look out for a registration announcement in the near future.