Taking a horseback fly fishing trip in CO next year so a return trip to Africa's been postponed. Good thing as a friend called and said he'd like me to guide him to South Africa to hunt as his college graduation gift (2018, 19, or 20). I told him I'd ask a few questions and get back to him.

Joel Tavera ) Here's the deal. Joel was badly wounded in Iraq and ended up badly burned, totally blind, and missing a lower leg. I met him when I was stationed in Tampa as a HQ commandant and visiting our wounded guys at the local VA. He's amazing and in the year's since his injury, he's taken deer, hog, turkey, Pronghorn, and this Fall, God willing, a bison.

Joel hunts using an iScope so his PH would direct the hunter via a device hooked to Joel's scope. I'm thinking he'd be an ideal candidate for a blind hunt, although he took his Pronghorn via a 200+ yds shot via spot-n-stalk.

Oh yeah, and he's become a bad-ass, skydiving as well. In his own words "really, what am I gonna see that'll scare me?"

Any RSA PH's have any experience with this sort of hunt?

I know of one sightless elk hunter who was positioned in a blind with another sighted hunter. He was a bow hunter and, when told, drew his bow and was assisted in aiming. Took a beautiful 6x6. Bull was mounted in a little shop in Keokuk, Iowa. Met the gentleman. Didn't think it would be possible but when you see what a sightless person can do when he sets his mind to it you would be surprised.

The SCI North Texas chapter has done things like this. Unfortunately, I don't know the details. PM me and I'll try to put you with those who know more.

At the DSC Big Bore Shoot one year there was a blind man shooting & did quite well.
Seems he had been to Africa on safari.
He had an assistant looking over his shoulder helping guide his shots.
I was very impressed with him.

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil:
At the DSC Big Bore Shoot one year there was a blind man shooting & did quite well.
Seems he had been to Africa on safari.
He had an assistant looking over his shoulder helping guide his shots.
I was very impressed with him.

He has hunted Africa, Alaska, etc-

If it is who I'm thinking of-
I have shot with him a few times since-
He is in the process of moving to AZ from Tx-