Located on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park occupies nearly one million acres filled with sub-alpine forests, wildflower-filled meadows, rainforest habitat and a rugged coastal shore. The entire park can be accessed from Highway 101, which circumnavigates the Olympic Peninsula; and each area of the park features a small visitor center or ranger station which offers exhibits on the local ecosystem and the history of the area.
Insider Tips
Save some time for a soak at Sol Duc Hot Springs when you visit the park. There’s ramp access to the Sol Duc Hot Springs front office, with barrier-free access to the pools in back. The mineral wading pool is reserved for children under three, but the Large Mineral Fountain Pool and the Freshwater Pool feature ramp access. There is also a portable pool lift available for these pools or for the Medium Mineral Pool, which isn’t ramped.
One of the most accessible waterfalls in the park — Madison Falls — is located on Olympic Hot Springs Road, just south of Highway 101. A .1-mile paved level trail leads from the picnic area through the forest to the base of Madison Falls. The overlook features lowered railings for optimal wheelchair viewing, as well as a bench for slow walkers.
For a very comfortable – and romantic – overnight in the park be sure and book a cabin at Kalaloch Lodge, which is located on the Pacific Coast. This remote lodge offers an accessible cabin, with a great coastal view, as well as a small restaurant and grocery store. Everything you want and need for a blissful getaway!
Nicknamed the “American Alps”, North Cascades National Park is one of the most rugged and remote national parks in the US. Filled with black bear, mountain goats and bald eagles, the park is also home to a historic hydroelectric dam. That said you just can’t beat the scenery in this northwestern gem, which ranges from jagged mountain peaks, evergreen forests and alpine meadows, to crystal-clear lakes and a collection of formidable glaciers.
Insider Tips
Don’t miss the Gorge Creek Falls Overlook, located along State Route 20, halfway between Newhalem and the Colonial Creek Campground. This unusual overlook features two grated footbridges that are located on each side of the highway, where visitors can look down and get a bird’s eye view of Gorge Creek Falls. Best of all, they are both wheelchair-accessible.
The Happy Creek Forest Walk is a nice accessible trail, although it’s easy to miss the poorly marked turnoff. Start looking for it on the right as you head east on State Route 20, just past milepost 134; and don’t feel bad if you have to make a U-turn up the road and double back. There’s level access over to the .3-mile hard-packed dirt and boardwalk trail that meanders through the fir, cedar and hemlock forest, before it crosses over the cascading waters and loops back to the trailhead. This old growth forest is also a great place to escape the midday heat when the mercury rises.
Located across from the Skagit Visitor Information Center in Newhalem, the Skagit General Store makes an interesting stop. The building dates back to 1922, when the store was established as an employee commissary for the workers on the Skagit Hydroelectric Project. Today it offers a good variety of general grocery items, snacks, sandwiches and delicious homemade Skagit fudge. It’s also the only place along the State Route 20 section of the park that offers anything to eat.
Located in northern Ohio, Maumee Bay State Park is a nature lovers dream; but that doesn’t mean you have to rough it when you overnight there. Quite the contrary, as Maumee Bay Lodge (www.maumeebaylodge.com/) offers a comfortable and accessible alternative. Not only can you spend the night in this wheelchair-accessible Maumee Bay cabin, but you’re also just a stone’s throw away from some great accessible trails.
Spend the Night
Billed as Ohio’s premier resort, this family friendly lakeside property features accessible parking in the lodge lot, with a barrier-free path to the lobby door. Alternatively, there’s a large drop-off area directly outside the lobby entrance. Inside, there’s wheelchair access to all the public areas, including the Water’s Edge Restaurant and the Icebreaker Lounge; and plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair or scooter to the front desk.
Accessible Cabin 17 is located a short drive away, along a road that overlooks the adjacent marsh. Accessible parking is available in a paved area in front of the cottage, with a wide level walkway up to the front porch. Although there’s a small lip at the transition from the walkway to the porch, it’s doable for most folks with a little assistance. The four-bedroom deluxe cottage features wide doorways and excellent pathway access to all the first-floor rooms, with stairway access to the two upstairs bedrooms.
One downstairs bedroom is furnished with a bunk bed and a twin bed, while the other bedroom has a 24-inch high king-sized bed. Upstairs, one bedroom has a bunk bed and a double bed, and the other bedroom has a double bed. The ground floor bathroom is equipped with a roll-in shower with a fold-down shower bench, grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. Other access features include a roll-under sink and toilet grab bars on the back and right walls (as seated). The second-floor bathroom has a low-step shower, but it lacks grab bars or the space to maneuver a wheelchair.
Shower in cabin 17 on the ground floor
Toilet and sink in Cabin 17 on the ground floor
Downstairs you’ll also find a gas fireplace, a washer and dryer, a spacious deck and a standard hot tub. Top it off with a well equipped kitchen and you have everything you need for a family getaway at this wheelchair-accessible Maumee Bay cabin.
Ground floor of cabin 17 at Maumee Bay Lodge
Explore Maumee Bay Lodge
There’s certainly no shortage of recreational activities at Maumee Bay Lodge, many of which are accessible and can be enjoyed by the whole family. There is barrier-free access to the indoor splash area, which includes seven splash features, as well as a waterfall that spills into the pool. There is also an accessible locker room nearby, which is equipped with roll-in showers.
Soft Play Area at Maumee Bay Lodge
If you’d prefer to keep your little ones active but dry, then check out the soft play area for children, which includes pirate-themed climbing features on a cushioned floor. There is level access to this brightly colored indoor play area, and plenty of room to roll around the climbing features.
Outside, there are a number of accessible options, including bicycling or hiking on one of the many bicycle trails throughout the park. Although the trails weren’t specifically designed to be accessible, most of them are level and very doable for wheelers and slow walkers.
If you want to learn a little about the native flora and fauna, head over to the Trautman Nature Center, located next to the lodge. There is barrier-free access to the building, which houses a number of interpretive exhibits detailing the nature and history of the area.
Maumee Bay Lodge boardwalk
Finally, save some time for a first-hand look at the local inhabitants on the two-mile boardwalk, just east of the lodge. There is barrier-free access to this excellent loop trail, and interpretive signs along the way. Best of all, one side of the boardwalk is pleasantly devoid of railings, so wheelers can enjoy unobstructed views of the surrounding wetlands. It’s the perfect way to top off your wheelchair-accessible Maumee Bay cabin stay.
Barrier-Free Travel National Park Lodges for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Located in Southwestern Colorado, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/colorado/canyons-of-the-ancients) is home to a high density of archeological sites filled with well preserved Native American artifacts. Although many sites on the 170,000 acre preserve lack wheelchair access and are located along dirt and gravel roads, it’s still possible for wheelchair-users and slow walkers to explore part of this national treasure.
In fact the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum (www.blm.gov/learn/interpretive-centers/CANM-visitor-center-museum) is home to a substantial collection of artifacts and interpretive exhibits, as well as two excavated pueblos. And not only is it reachable without a four-wheel drive vehicle, but it also boasts excellent wheelchair access. So pack a picnic lunch, hit the road and enjoy a day immersed in the Ancestral Puebloan culture.
Learn About the Ancestral Puebloans
Pit House exhibit in the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum
The Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum is located on Highway 184 in Dolores, which is about 10 miles northeast of Cortez. There’s accessible parking in the large lot, with ramp access up to the museum. A wheelchair is available for loan at the front desk, and there are also wheelchair-accessible restrooms in the building. And although there’s a small admission fee, there’s no charge for folks with an America the Beautiful Access Pass.
There’s level access to the theater, with plenty of room for wheelchairs on the sides. Two films are shown throughout the day. One presents two perspectives of the Four Corners area — from both archaeologists and Native Americans; while the other focuses on how to visit the sites with respect.
The bulk of the exhibits in this excellent archaeological museum focus on the Ancestral Puebloans and the historic cultures of the Four Corners Area. Once called the Anasazi, their civilization flourished for about 700 years and then mysteriously disappeared around the late 1200s. Exhibits include a large collection of baskets, pottery, weapons and knife blades, along with a large model of a two story pithouse. There’s barrier-free access throughout the galleries, and lift access to both levels of the pithouse.
A good chunk of the exhibits are devoted to archeological digs done in the area, and they include descriptions of the work at the sites, and artifacts excavated from them. There are lots of hands-on exhibits about the general work of archaeologists, and displays about how sites are excavated. And there are even real artifacts excavated from Ancestral Puebloan sites that you can pick up and touch. It’s a very comprehensive museum, with excellent wheelchair access.
Visit the Pueblos
The Escalante Pueblo Ruins
In addition to the museum, there are also two pueblos to explore at this site. These multi-room units sometimes had more than one story, and included a subterranean ceremonial chamber, or kiva.
The Dominguez Pueblo is located along an accessible level path, right outside the museum. Although it dates back to 1123, it wasn’t excavated until the 1970s. It’s named for one of a pair of Spanish explorers who discovered other Puebloan ruins in the area. This four-room structure is believed to have been home to two families. A kiva was also discovered during the excavation, however it was later backfilled in order to protect the integrity of that fragile structure.
The Escalante Pueblo is located about a half-mile from the museum, along a paved trail. Although the trail was built to ADA standards, it’s uphill with level stretches to rest along the way. Benches and interpretive plaques dot the trail, and there’s level access to several ramadas which have standard picnic tables near the beginning of the trail. The trail is quite doable for power wheelchair-users, but manual wheelchair-users may need some assistance in a few places. The trail gradually climbs to the top of the hill, and offers some nice views of the countryside along the way.
There are level trails around the Escalante Pueblo, and a number of interpretive plaques offer insight to the former residents. This larger communal dwelling was also excavated in the 1970s, and it contains at least 20 rooms and a kiva. It’s believed to have been constructed in 1129, but it was subsequently occupied by two other groups in 1150 and 1200. There’s level access over to a nearby shade structure, and there’s also an excellent view of the reservoir from this hilltop perch. It’s a great way to end a Canyons of the Ancients visit!
Barrier-Free Travel
Utah National Parks for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers
There’s something more than a bit unsettling about visiting a museum that’s located within spitting distance of a territorial prison. Be it the razor wire, the guard towers or the overly secure gates, it just doesn’t make you feel all warm and fuzzy. Add in some of the grizzly artifacts in the Museum of Colorado Prisons (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Museum%20of%20Colorado%20Prisons/255235554627336/), and you’ll get a definite chill up your spine. That said this Canon City favorite is definitely worth a visit, as not only does it present a comprehensive history of the Colorado prison system, but it also manages to inject a bit of humanity into the mix.
The Museum of Colorado Prisons
Located in historic Cell House 4, the museum building once housed female inmates. And although it’s a historic building that dates back to 1935, they’ve done a pretty good job with access. There’s stairway access in front, but there’s a ramped entrance and accessible parking in back. Just ring the buzzer and someone will open the door. To view the downstairs gallery, go out the back entrance and roll around the building on the level sidewalk to the accessible lower front entrance. And while you’re in front, don’t forget to have a look at the vintage gas chamber exhibit.
Gas Chamber at the Museum of Colorado Prisons
Upstairs there’s level access down the cellblock corridor, where there are artifacts from the old prison system, vintage prison garb, inmate art, and lots of photos. Some of the cells also contain themed exhibits, and although they may be a bit tight for power wheelchair-users, you can still get a pretty good overview of the exhibits from the hallway. Some of the themed exhibits feature details about escape attempts, behavioral control, executions, and the prison section of the public cemetery known as Woodpecker Hill. There’s also a large collection of contraband, skillfully crafted prison weapons, and more than a few creepy prisoner creations.
Inmate Artwork on display at the Museum of Colorado Prisons
Downstairs there’s barrier-free access to most of the former kitchen and dining hall, which is filled with more exhibits. The exception is the small laundry area which has a few steps up; although you can still peer into it. Perhaps the most memorable artifact is the jumpsuit worn by an inmate in the Labor Day 2018 escape, that took place while people were visiting the museum. Imagine looking at a collection of prison weapons, then glancing up to see a prisoner scaling the adjoining prison wall. Fortunately the escapees were caught a few hours later.
Haunted or Haunting?
To be honest, it’s hard to go through this museum without having a chill or two run up your spine. And if you think you may be overreacting or perhaps the victim of an overactive imagination, then think again. The Museum of Colorado Prisons has been singled out as one of the most haunted sites in the state by many paranormal organizations. And in fact ghost hunts and haunted tours are held there throughout the year.
So why is it haunted? Well first off, it’s in close proximity to an active prison that dates back to 1871, where torture, floggings and other brutal practices were commonplace. And then there were the executions, which were far from humane. Take the automatic hangman for example. This tool was designed to relieve the guards of guilt from pulling the trap door lever at hangings. Instead, the device was activated when the prisoner stepped on the platform, and a weight slowly triggered the mechanism that controlled the trap door.
And of course there’s no shortage of weapons on display in the museum, many of which were possibly used to brutally end a person’s life – be it an inmate or a guard.
Is the Museum of Colorado Prisons haunted or just haunting? Who knows; but as one museum employee shared, “I’m sure there are some spirits here. I often hear noises, footsteps and sometimes whistling when I’m here alone. And I know I’m not imagining that.“ Either way, this often overlooked attraction is definitely worth a stop. Is it really haunted? Judge for yourself on your next Canon City visit.
Barrier-Free Travel
Utah National Parks for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers
Located along the Historic Columbia River Highway in Dalles, the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center (gorgediscovery.org) is a must-stop on any Northern Oregon road trip. If you’re already on the historic highway, just follow Taylor Franz Road and Discover Drive to the museum; and if you’re on Interstate 84, then take exit 82 and follow the signs. Either way it’s easy to find.
The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, which is located in an award-winning 48,200 square-foot building, serves to create appreciation for the Columbia River Gorge through the interpretation of cultural and natural resources. To that end it presents a comprehensive history of the area, offers daily raptor shows and has a wheelchair-accessible trail that’s filled with native plants and exhibits. And it’s also the starting point of the accessible Riverside Trail. It’s a great primer for any Columbia River Gorge trip, and a must do on a Historic Columbia River Highway excursion.
Discover the Gorge
Access is good at the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center, with plenty of accessible parking, level access to the front door; and ample room to maneuver a wheelchair inside. There’s elevator access to the second floor, and accessible restrooms are located near the boardroom. And if you’d like to bring along lunch, there’s a picnic area with accessible tables in back.
There’s good pathway access throughout the Discovery Center, which focuses on the history of the the gorge from the ice age to present day. Exhibits include displays about the geology of the gorge, Lewis & Clark, gorge ecology, the Oregon Trail and transportation. There are a number of interactive and tactile exhibits, and the whole museum offers a comprehensive look at the Columbia River Gorge.
And don’t miss the live raptor presentations that are held in the theater. These educational seminars are included with admission and in addition to having a raptor — or two — present, they also offer a good overview of raptor habits, behavior and habitat. And there’s barrier-free access to the theater, with plenty of room for wheelchairs in the front and on the sides. Check the theater schedule when you arrive so you don’t miss this educational and entertaining presentation.
A Little History
Display inside the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center
The Wasco County Historical Museum, which is located in the east wing, also has excellent wheelchair access. Established in 1854, Wasco County is home to portions of the Lewis & Clark Trail and the Oregon Trail; while Native Americans, missionaries, pioneers and folks looking to strike it rich in the gold rush also inhabited the area over the years. And the museum offers a wide variety of displays on the diverse history of the area.
There’s plenty of room for a wheelchair to maneuver around the exhibits about the early inhabitants, shipwrecks on the Columbia River, the former cannery, a rail depot and the old Umatilla House hotel. And there’s even a turn-of the-century street scene of Dalles. Round it out with a agriculture exhibit and a gallery filled with George Lawrence Company saddles, and you get a pretty good picture of the early settlers of Wasco County.
Take a Hike
Along the Native Plant Walk outside the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center
Finally, save some time to explore the outdoor areas of the museum. There’s level access out the back door to the paved Native Plant Walk. Make a left as you exit the museum and head all the way to the end of the trail to the Columbia River scenic overlook, where’ you’ll get a good view of the river with the Klickitat Hills in the background.
Next head back to the museum — past some evidence of beaver activity — to the Native American petroglyph rock art near the back door. The remainder of the trail winds past Olney’s cabin, Crate’s Cabin and a tepee, and includes over 40 identified plants. Pick up a guide at the front desk and see how many you can find. The whole trail is paved and wheelchair-accessible.
And near the end of the Native Plant Walk, you’ll find the beginning on the Riverfront Trail. This wide paved trail winds along the southern bank of the Columbia River, from the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center to the Dalles Dam Visitor Center. The trail is an excellent option for wheelchair-users and slow walkers; and the great part is, you can do as little or as much of it as you want. That said, even if time is short, try to fit in a short stint along this scenic thoroughfare. It’s the perfect way to top off a visit to the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center.
Barrier-Free Travel Washington National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Located near Whitehall, Montana, Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park (fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/lewis-and-clark-caverns/) is named for the famous explorers, even though the closest the duo ever got to their namesake caves was the Jefferson River, some 1,400 feet below. Although the caverns are a definite highlight of the park, visitors can also enjoy the scenic drive up the mountain, and spend the night in a comfortable camping cabin at the park campground. And although caves can be problematic for people with mobility issues, some wheelchair-users and slow walkers may be able to manage a portion of the tour of this 350 million year-old cavern.
Enjoy the Drive
The best place to begin your visit to Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is at the main visitor center, which is located near the park entrance. There’s accessible parking in the large lot and level access to the building. Inside there’s ample room to maneuver a wheelchair or scooter through the galleries. Pick up a park map and learn a little bit about the geology, flora and fauna in the park.
From the main visitor center it’s about a three-mile drive to the top of the mountain, where the Cave Visitor Center is located. It’s also the starting point for the cavern tours. Take your time to stop along the way to enjoy the view from the numerous pullouts. And even if you don’t have time to stop, there are some great windshield views, going in both directions.
If you’d like to enjoy lunch al fresco, there are also a few options along the drive. The first picnic area is located close to the bottom. It features accessible parking, an accessible vault toilet, and a do-able pathway to some of the closer picnic tables. Up the road, the next picnic area has a level unstriped parking area, and level access over to several picnic tables. The remainder of the tables are located down some steps and over a bridge. And finally, there’s Vista Point. Although there are steps down to the viewing platform, there’s level access over to two shaded tables near the level parking area.
Explore the Caverns
Up at the top of the mountain, there’s accessible parking in front of the visitor center, with ramp access up to it. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the historic stone building is well preserved, and includes the original fireplace. The walls are lined with vintage photos, and there’s also a movie that’s shown throughout the day about the development of the caverns. There’s a cafe and gift shop across the parking lot, with accessible parking nearby.
Cave tour tickets are available at the kiosk next to the visitor center. Tours are only available from May 1 to September 30. Of the tour offerings, the Paradise Tour is the most accessible choice. The 1.5-hour tour requires about a mile of walking or rolling. Unlike the Classic Tour, which includes 600 stairs and a number of tight spaces, this tour is level, with the exception of about 15 steps at the end. The cavern entrance is about a quarter-mile away from the visitor center on a dirt trail covered in crushed granite.
Once inside, a 538-foot tunnel leads over to the Grand Finale Room, which contains an impressive collection of stalactites, stalagmites and columnar formations. Despite the name it’s not the end of the tour, but it’s the farthest that wheelchair-users can go. From there, several staircases with 3-4 steps each lead over to the Paradise Room, which is the official end of the tour. There are railings on the stairs, but the ground is wet. If you can’t do the stairs, you’ll just have to enjoy the Grand Finale Room while the rest of the group visits the Paradise Room. Still the formations are beautiful in the Grand Finale Room, and you can roll around and get a closer look after the crowd moves on.
Spend the Night
If you’d like to spend the night in Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, there are several accessible campground options. At the top of the list are the three accessible camping cabins. There’s parking on a level cement pad next to the Morrison Cabin, with an accessible pathway to the front door. It’s furnished with a 27-inch high double bed, and a bunk bed with a 19-inch high lower bunk. There’s also a table and four chairs, some clothing hooks, a mirror and a night stand. Outside there’s an accessible picnic table on a cement pad, a standard grill and a water spigot. This cabin also has electricity.
There’s level access to the nearby shower house, which includes an accessible toilet stall with grab bars, and a roll-in shower with grab bars, a lowered control and an accessible pay slot. There’s also a small corner seat in the shower and a slatted bench in the dressing area.
The Smith Cabin and the Woodward Cabin are also accessible, but the Smith Cabin lacks a cement parking space, and both cabins are missing picnic table pads. They are also closer to the other campsites, and lack the privacy of the Morrison Cabin.
Accessible campsite E3 includes a cement parking pad, an accessible table, a raised fire ring and a level tent space. There’s a level sidewalk to the shower house, and it’s the only campsite with electricity. Proof of disability — such as a parking placard — is required to occupy this site.
Finally, the Peregrine Tent is ramped and includes four cots and a small table. There’s also a raised fire ring and a standard table on the grass in front of the unit. It’s not close to the restrooms, and not rated as accessible like the cabins, but it may be doable for some folks.
An avid South Carolina hunter, Jacob Beisecker had long dreamed about hunting big game out west. A bucket list item for many hunters, this dream trip seemed out of reach for Beisecker, a T11/L2 incomplete paraplegic. Says Jacob, “I knew that logistically and financially it (the hunt) would be a challenge.” Then after a few Google searches he stumbled upon Wyoming Disabled Hunters (WDH), which offers free accessible hunting expeditions. “When I found that my injury qualified me to participate with WDH it was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up,” recalls Beisecker. Although he wasn’t selected in the first draw of applicants, one hunter subsequently dropped out and Jacob was notified in late July that he was selected to fill the open slot. And so his big game hunting adventure began.
Wyoming Disabled Hunters
Based in Cody, WDH (wyomingdisabledhunters.org) has been providing affordable hunts for disabled hunters since 2009. Their first disabled hunting adventure consisted of just four deer hunters, but today they usually accommodate 20 hunters a year at their elk, mule deer and antelope hunts. And according to Terry Skinner, WDH President, they have 91% success rate overall, and a 100% success rate in the past two years.
The first WDH hunt takes place in mid-September and it’s open to antelope hunters; while the second hunt includes deer hunters and some elk hunters in the last week of October. Says Skinner, “WDH utilizes consistent areas through generous permission from private landowners allowing WDH to hunt their lands. We go to great lengths ahead of time to understand each hunter’s disabilities and everything they may need to be successful.”
WDH provides complimentary accommodations, meals and guides for the hunters. The hunters must foot the bill for transportation to Cody, arrange for their own personal care and pay for incidentals. WDH also covers meat processing costs for elk and deer.
Additional financial assistance based on need may also be available for transportation to Cody. A financial assistance application can be found on the WDH website during the open application window. Says Skinner, ” Assistance includes reimbursement for a portion of motel costs (while traveling), and a rate/mile, or plane flight costs.” This is all in line with WDH’s mission statement, to provide an affordable hunt for disabled hunters.
The Accommodations
Snow covered landscape outside Cody
Jacob and his fellow hunters were housed at the Bull Moose Retreat, a VRBO property that borders BLM land. The eight bedroom house includes ramp access and a bathroom with a roll-in shower. It sits on 35 acres surrounded by the Carter Mountains, with plenty of hunting locations nearby. And according to Jacob they all had their own rooms, with plenty of space to spread out.
Jacob’s group included six wheelchair users (two quads and two paras) as well as two hunters with low vision. Their disabled hunting adventure included airport transfers as well as transportation to the hunting sites. The guides also provided the hunters with assistance, whenever needed.
All meals were included in the package. They were prepared by WDH volunteers and served family style in the large dining room at Bull Moose Retreat. Says Jacob, “Everything is top notch with WDH and they have contacts with great landowners who have properties with incredible hunting opportunities. They can handle just about anyone with a mobility challenge so definitely sign up and give it a try if it’s something you’re interested in!”
The Hunt
Jacob and his harvest
Jacob’s cousin from Indiana also joined him on the hunt, for camaraderie and to help out whenever needed. The first day was a range day, just to make sure everyone was comfortable with their firearms. Adds Jacob, “That evening my guide took us out to do some scouting from the truck to try and figure out where we should start the next morning.”
The three-day hunt began early the next day when they hit the road with their guide. And after a bit of scouting, the hunt began in earnest. Recalls Jacob, “We had ‘shoot from vehicle permits’ and you only had to get 30 feet — I believe — off the main roadway; so we were able to utilize some of the roads through the ranches to get in close enough to shoot from the truck. After a few close calls, I finally sealed the deal and took my mule deer buck on the first evening.”
After he harvested his buck, the guide transported him on a deer sled over to the kill site, so he could take photos with his prize. Says Jacob, “It took several people to make it happen but I’m so glad they put hunts like these on, and have such awesome volunteers and guides willing to do anything you need.”
The majority of the hunters in Jacob’s group filled their tags on the first day, and everyone tagged out at the end of the hunt. “We easily saw hundreds to thousands of deer a day and that’s just something I’ve never seen in my life before,” says Jacob. Jacob and his cousin also got to visit the Buffalo Bill Museum and Yellowstone National Park. And they helped some of their fellow hunters out in the scouting department.
The Application Process
If you’d like to take part in a disabled hunting adventure of your own, the first thing you need to do is apply. Applications are available on the WDH website beginning on December 1. The application period runs through January 25.
Applicants must also obtain a Wyoming Disabled Hunter Permit in order to to participate in WDH hunts. To be eligible, you must have one of the following conditions, which must be certified by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, or a personal physician.
At least a 70% service connected disability
Permanently unable to walk without a mobility device
Lung disease
Cardiac condition
Physical disability that prevents applicant from holding or shooting a firearm
Visual acuity that does not exceed 20/200
More information about the permit can be found at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/media/129/download?inline. There is no charge for the permit, and a Shoot From a Vehicle Permit is also included with the Wyoming Disabled Hunter Permit.
Applications to participate in WDH hunts are available on the WDH website. And if you have any questions or concerns you can contact Terry Skinner at tkskinner25@outlook.com or (307) 250-3771.
Once the application is complete, the selection process is pretty simple. Says Skinner, “We always receive more applications than available spots. We first confirm all the applicants online application information is complete and then we simply perform a random draw for the primary hunter list. We also draw alternate hunters just in case anyone from the primary list has to decline their hunts later on.”
These hunts are really a once in a lifetime experience, so make plans to apply now. Says Jacob, “It’s definitely a must-do and they are all some of the nicest, most accommodating people! Definitely apply and give it a shot if it’s something you’re interested in.”
