GATOR HUNT

            My job at Sport Fishing magazine required several trips each year to our headquarters in Orlando, FL, and I wanted to squeeze in some hunting after one such trip in January 2007. Shooting oversized mice at nearby theme parks was a tempting but illegal idea, so I decided to go for an alligator.

EVOLUTION OF MY SHOOTING SETUP

(PART 2 of 4)

WHEELCHAIR GUN SUPPORT

            Dealing with ALS has taught me the true meaning of “adaptive shooting gear” because I’ve had to keep adapting my strategies and equipment to stay in the hunt as the disease progressively eroded my strength and mobility.

            Here’s how I turned my battlewagon into a gunship:

A BEAR NAMED DESTINY

This week marks the sixth anniversary of my Vancouver Island black bear hunt, and I have every reason to celebrate.

I embarked on the adventure in early June 2006, shortly after learning I had ALS. Statistics show that most ALS patients die within five years of diagnosis. Not only am I still alive, I’m still hunting!

My neurologist had advised against going on such trips because “it might be too strenuous.” My wife and I agreed that the psychological benefits of pursuing my passions would justify all efforts involved. It would be far worse for my health to simply give up and stay home.

This was my first experience as a disabled hunter, and it gave me the confidence to plan and enjoy many more adventures.

Here’s the story: