Support from Local Couple and Neighbors Fuels Record Deer Hunt for Disabled Sportsmen

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 Missouri Disabled Sportsmen’s Record Hunt Focuses on Inclusion, Accessibility 

By Echo Menges 

With the help and support of Randy and Jenny Walker of rural Knox County, the Missouri Disabled Sportsmen hosted their largest hunt for mobility-challenged hunters in the history of the organization earlier this month during the 16th annual Timmy “Taters” Smith Memorial Deer Hunt. 

The Walkers, whose property is nestled in the southwest corner of Knox County with land extending into Macon County, enlisted their friends and neighbors to welcome hunters from throughout the state. 

“It was the largest deer hunt we have ever coordinated, and none of it would be possible without the amazing support of the area landowners that provide us access to their properties,” Missouri Disabled Sportsmen President Pete Eisentrager said in a Facebook post. “We welcomed 21 hunters and close to 50 mentors and volunteers into camp. There were 14 mobility-impaired hunters and seven youth hunters, which included four young ladies who participated. They all did an amazing job working with, learning from, and listening to our mentors.” 

The mission to help people is the driving force behind the Walkers’ efforts to facilitate the annual event, which has humble beginnings. The couple’s first mobility-challenged hunts were held to help two of their friends, Rick VanDyke and Tim Smith, who would not have had the opportunity without the Walkers’ efforts. 

“I called a buddy, Rob Gerling, and told him what I had in mind, and he didn’t even hesitate to say, ‘Yes, let’s do this.’ I shook that friend’s hand yesterday as he rolled out of camp. He’s still a large part of this event’s success,” Walker said. 

“This year, we had 32 blind locations scattered over four counties,” Eisentrager said. “These are not just average properties; these are properties that allow our hunters a high percentage of success. These landowners who open their farms are neighbors, past clients and just people who hear about what we do and ask, ‘What can I do to help?’ Of the 21 hunters in camp this weekend, 17 of them were successful.” 

The majority of the hunters and volunteer mentors camped at the Walker farm, which served as the base camp for everyone involved throughout the weekend. The hunt was held Dec. 13–15, with rain and mud making the event a challenge. 

“Despite Mother Nature’s attempts to make the weekend an extremely wet and very muddy affair, our team adapted to the conditions and did not allow the less-than-ideal weather to negatively impact their spirits or ability to get out into the blinds. When the mud finally settled, a total of 31 antlerless deer tags were successfully filled by the hunters,” Eisentrager said. 

Hannah Montgomery, 15, of Memphis, Missouri, was among the mobility-challenged hunters welcomed to this year’s hunt. She harvested a deer on the second day of the event and was celebrated by her team of mentors. 

“I didn’t know I was going to be paired with Hannah before I came up,” said Chris Pardue of Springfield, Missouri. “I sacrificed getting to see my daughter’s dance recital to be here. She’s 10. Getting to know Hannah, and hearing her story, has really hit home for me. She was the same age as my daughter when her paralysis set in. Hannah is an amazing person.” 

“It takes an army of dedicated, passionate and driven individuals to continually provide the outdoor opportunities and experiences our organization does, and we are absolutely blessed to have the awesome family of volunteers we do. They continually step up and give freely of their time, knowledge and passion to serve others,” Eisentrager said. 

“None of this is possible without the generosity of the mentors, landowners and sponsors. [It was a] great weekend reminiscing with old friends and welcoming new friends to the family,” Walker said. 

On the second night of the hunt, the Walkers welcomed everyone to their farm for a meal and an opportunity to wind down after the second day of hunting in the field. The hunters and their volunteer mentors spent the evening recounting the weekend’s harvests, the near harvests, joking and laughing before the event came to a close the next day. 

Anyone interested in learning more about the Missouri Disabled Sportsmen can find them on Facebook or at missouridisabledsportsmen.org.