NWTF Chapter Hosts Annual Wounded Veteran Hunt
EDGEFIELD, S.C. – The NWTF Northern Catskill’s Longbeards Chapter hosted its annual Wounded Veterans Turkey Hunt during New York State’s opening weekend, offering healing and camaraderie to those who served.
Ten veterans from the Carolinas, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Syracuse traveled to Freehold, New York, where they hunted Eastern wild turkeys alongside local mentors. These veterans were selected by Chappy's Outdoors, an organization that arranges hunting and fishing trips for wounded veterans, promoting physical, emotional and spiritual healing.
Bob Monteleone, president of the NWTF Northern Catskill’s Longbeards, revived and coordinated the event, which paired veteran hunters with 12 local hunters who took them out on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Monteleone was recently elected as the chapter’s president and hit the ground running making the plans for this event.
Monteleone’s dedication to the event is deeply personal. Before his father, a World War II veteran, passed, he would attend the event and share stories with the other veterans attending the spring hunt.
“I do it in his honor,” he said. “But I couldn’t do it alone and have a lot of thank yous to give.”
Throughout the weekend, eight wild turkeys were harvested, with tales of close calls and missed opportunities filling the camp. Sean Brady, chapter treasurer, led Pennsylvania veteran Samuel Ickes up a steep 500-yard hill just before the noon closing time. The pair got as close as they could before they set up. The tom came right into their calls, allowing Ickes to harvest the bird with just nine minutes to spare.
The event’s success was made possible through generous community support. Mike Barcone, owner of West Kill Brewing, helped fundraise by auctioning Yeti coolers filled with beer. Barcone was also a mentor. The Sunny Hill Resort & Golf Course graciously donated lodging to the vets as a thanks for their service to our nation. Friends, family and volunteers helped with set up and provided all of the meals for veterans.
All veterans received pot calls, mouth calls and a crow call courtesy of the Northern Catskills Longbeard’s Chapter of the NWTF.
“It was such an experience and a huge success thanks to all of the donations we had,” said Monteleone. “We can only grow from here.”
The Northern Catskill’s Longbeards Chapter’s Wounded Veterans Turkey Hunt is a testament to the enduring spirit of volunteerism and gratitude, offering a meaningful outdoor experience for those who have sacrificed so much for their country.