Annual Stockton Lake Managed Deer Hunt a success

Mike Schlitz, Nixa, was one of the first hunters to bring in a deer at the Stockton Lake Physical Handicap Hunt held last weekend. (Submitted photo)

The 19th annual Stockton Lake Managed Deer Hunt for hunters who have physical disabilities was held this past weekend, before the regular statewide firearm deer season.

The hunt was located in three area parks around the lake. Hawker Point, Orleans Trail South and Masters had deer stands available for the handicapped hunters.

Thad Cheaney, Natural Resource Specialist and Park Ranger, headed up the hunt. He said, "This was one of, if not the best hunt I have participated in. The weather was just right and all the hunters reported seeing lots of deer."

Cheaney continued, "Everything went well thanks to all the help we had, including the Stockton Lions Club, the Missouri Department of Conservation and all the volunteers which made it a success. The annual hunt is a great program for the mobility-impaired hunters that allows them to hunt in the closed park areas where the deer population is high.

"We had hunters from all around, including two from the St. Louis area. There were hunters from Mount Vernon, Springfield, Fair Play, Verona, Nixa, Republic, Ava, Stockton, Bolivar, Greenfield, Mindenmines, Cape Fair, Crane, Mountain Grove, Sparta in Missouri, also Moore, Oklahoma."

Mike Schlitz, Nixa, was one of the first hunters to bring in a deer. He said of his morning hunt, "The doe came out around 7:30; I fired one shot and had my deer. They have a really good setup here, well organized, and makes it possible for handicapped hunters a chance to get a deer. It cooled off this morning and the deer were moving. It was my third year to participate in the hunt, and I have taken a deer each year.

"All of the people who make the hunt possible do a great job. You couldn't ask for anything better. I have hunted deer for 45 years, but since I was hit with Agent Orange, I can't climb the hills anymore; but the way this hunt is set up, I can enjoy being out there in the woods."

Roy Collins, Republic, has participated in the special hunt for the past six years and has been successful every year except the first one. He said, "This hunt is a blessing (and) the things they do to make it work (are) amazing."

Rick Burtchett of Ava, was hunting with his granddaughter as his guide. He said, "I have hunted here since 2011, but this year I shot my largest deer. It was a 10- point buck."

The big buck was the talk of the day as other hunters came by to admire the deer.

Burtchett noted, "I have been hunting ever since I was 8-years-old. My guide for the day was my granddaughter, Brooke Groth. When we saw the deer, we knew it was a good one. It will join other big deer I have taken over the years and hang on the wall to remind me of this hunt."

Gary Madley, Dadeville, was one of the last hunters to check out Sunday. He was on the alternate list and was able to hunt Sunday.

Roy Collins, Republic, with a deer he shot early Saturday. He has had success each year for the six years he has participated except for the first year. (Photo by Ken White)

During the interview, he said, "I hunted here three years ago and saw what a good event it is. I had a very good hunt. I saw the doe come by and started to shoot. Then I saw an eight-point buck following the doe, so I picked it off first and the doe was still around ---- so I finished my tags for the season in a short time.

The hunters harvested 27 deer in the two-day hunt.

Hunts for the disabled are also held by the Corps of Engineers at Truman, Smithville, as well as Bull Shoals Lakes.

The successful hunters saw Corps workers and volunteers drag out the deer, field dress, skin and quarter the animal before putting them on ice. The hunters had the choice of taking their deer to a processor or taking it home. Most hunters let the workers handle it.

Brad Shoemaker, Verona, with the deer he shot Saturday. Shoemaker is a veteran hunter at the special hunt His first hunt at this special physical handicap hunt was back in 2004. (Photo by Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail)

The antler point restriction was waved for the special hunt, allowing the hunters the choice of shooting any deer.

Rick Burtchett, Ava and his guide and granddaughter Brooke Groth with a 10 poing buck he shot Saturday in the special physical handicap hunt. (Photo by Ken White)

A group of hunters take time out to discuss the adventures of the day at the special hunt. (Photo by Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail)