The Red Hills Wounded Warrior Group hosted wounded warriors from several states at their annual turkey hunt at Southland Plantation last Saturday.
The stories the warriors shared with Walter Hatchett and Brian Proctor, who founded the Red Hills Wounded Warrior Group in 2011, were many and varied. They also hold a deer hunt for the wounded warriors each year.
“Our purpose is to is to organize outdoor hunting events for members and their fellow wounded soldiers who would otherwise not have such opportunities afforded to them,” Proctor said.
Participants who get turkeys either harvest the meat or have the beards mounted
“We appreciate the Bainbridge State College Student Veterans of America organization who donate the proceeds from their annual 5K and 10K runs to our Red Hills Wounded Warrior Group,” Proctor said.
Michael Bieble drove 17 hours from Hanover Township, Penn., to take part in the shoot and he said it was worth every minute of it.
A U.S. Army veteran, Bieble suffered a shoulder injury when he stepped on an improvised explosive devise in Afghanistan in 2006.
“This event was well worth the long trip and I would take it again,” Bieble said. “The hunt was great and the volunteer guides were very great and helpful, I did not personally get a turkey but we saw several. Meeting and sharing stories with other veterans was special.”
U.S. Army veteran half brothers Michael Johnson of Kissimmee Fla., and Marco Davis   of Tampa, Fla., said they had an equally great time. Johnson, who had knee and back injuries, and Davis, who suffered a crushed disc, both praised the volunteer guides. Davis, who got two turkeys, said the guides did a great job of calling the turkeys up with their call boxes.
“The two turkeys I got came up pretty close,” Dais said. “The experience was both a challenge and a thrill.”
Jason Hewitt of Tallahassee, Fla., who served in both the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army, and suffered a back injury in Afghanistan in 2009, said he got one turkey with the help of very efficient volunteer guide.
U.S. Army veteran and wounded warrior Jason Bass of Middleburg, Fla., said the Red Hills group, made up of wounded veterans from Georgia, Florida and Alabama, makes the other wounded veterans feel very special at the hunts.
Saturday’s hunt concluded with delicious meal provided by the Capital Rotary Club of Tallahassee, Fla.