By Glen Wunderlich Outdoor Columnist Member Professional Outdoor Media Association
In 2007 I learned of Santa Rosa Island off the coast of California, which was home to over 1000 Roosevelt elk and Kaibab mule deer. Because the animals were not indigenous to the island, an underhanded maneuver by U.S. Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer of California has set the stage for total extermination of these animals by aerial slaughter by the end of year 2011. When then U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter proposed to allow paralyzed veterans to manage the herd through controlled hunting rather than total annihilation at taxpayers’ expense, his idea was shot down; so too will be these magnificent creatures. So much for supporting the troops!
Now, years later, when the boiling controversy has withered into oblivion, legendary outdoorsman, Jim Zumbo, has accepted an appointment by the Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans ), as the national spokesman for the organization’s Outdoor Recreation Heritage Fund. But, Jim’s doing a lot more than talking about helping our wounded heroes.
Zumbo’s 40-year career in the great outdoors makes him arguably the country’s most prominent big game hunter. He is a champion of ethical hunting, and has reached out to wounded service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, when he began taking them on no-cost hunting trips – a program he started five years ago. “I’m proud to serve as spokesman for the Outdoor Recreation Heritage Fund (ORHF), and am looking forward to representing this important function of PVA,” said Zumbo. “I’ve had my share of wonderful outdoor experiences in my lifetime and have enjoyed plenty of camps with all sorts of folks, but hunting and fishing with disabled military veterans has been a highlight of my trips. It’s my small way of thanking these heroes, for which I have the utmost respect, for their service and sacrifice.”
He added, “In addition to assisting in fundraising efforts for the ORHF, I eagerly anticipate sharing many more hunting and fishing camps with our disabled military.” In 2001, Paralyzed Veterans of America established the Fund as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to permanently support the organization’s many outdoor sports programs, including fishing, handcycling and triathlon, track and field events, and recreational shooting and hunting.
There are several ways you can help, too and all gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. You can make a personal gift and businesses can help through sponsorships. If you are so inclined, you can organize a fund-raising event, or even lend a helping hand by volunteering at one of the hunt events. Just log on to www.pvaheritagefund.org.
“It’s amazing what these trips do for their (veterans’) attitudes and confidence as they rehabilitate from their injuries and work towards building a new, productive and happy way of life”, says Chris Chaffin, national marketing and public relations coordinator for PVA-ORHF. Chris is ready to help and can be reached at Chris@ChaffinCommunications.com or by telephone at 321-729-0280.
