I should have written this up long ago but sometime it seems time just gets away from us.

A couple of years ago our own Bama15 wrote me an e-mail saying that he had a blind friend James that wanted to shoot a black bear. I was of course a little apprehensive but I contacted James and found out that he had done quite a bit of hunting since he lost his sight in a hunting accident. In fact he had taken quite a few animals and even hunted with a bow.The guy's spirit was infectious to say the least and I set out to find him a great hunt. I gave it some thought and came up with Dave Hentosh/Smoldering Lake Outfitters in Maine. Dave does a lot with Wounded Warriors providing moose crop deprivation and spring turkey hunts for these deserving soldiers as well conducting his own hunting and fishing business. Dave provides a superior baited black bear hunt in that he takes fewer hunters, hunts only the prime time and has a success rate way above the norm for Maine.

Dave immediately was interested. Dave called James and through their communication they both felt comfortable that they could kill a good bear. We made an arrangement for Dave to hunt 1x1 with James and sit in the blind with him throughout the hunt. James' two buddies that came along also wanted to hunt and did the more traditional hunt 3x1 being dropped off at their respective blinds or stands and picked up at days end.

James utilized an iScope on his 308 that uses an iPhone attached to a telescope and allows for a sighted persons to sit directly behind the hunter and see the imagine in the scope. So a little left, a little down, hold and shoot equaled a very dead black bear with one shot. James' buddies were also successful and as it should be James shot the largest bear.

James was over the moon and it was a very satisfying experience for all involved. James and I are talking about an elk hunt now and I think I have something for him in Colorado when he's ready.

Mark

Good for him!

I have a client who is blind and is also an avid hunter. I have mounted pistol scopes on his rifles for him and his son in law looks over his shoulder and between the two of them they get the job done every year. These kind of stories gives an able bodied hunter some perspective.
Steve

Mark, that is just plain flat COOL!

Thanks; really enjoyed reading this.

Hats off to James!
I admire his determination to overcome his handicap and live his life.

Human endeavor plus technology, equals an awesome hunt.Very cool.

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Awesome ! Congrats to the hunter(s).

Thanks for posting this.

Charlie

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I cant imagine what it must be to have no sight! Congratulations to the hunter and good job Mark for helping him achieve his dream!

Bloody nice bear too......

Arjun

That is indeed a great story.

Those bears are huge!!!

Outstanding Mark!

Guys,

Thanks for all the kind words. Putting James on this hunt was definitely one of the high points of my time as a booking agent.

Mark

Great job, Mark!!

Mark, just saw this. James is a lot of fun to hunt with and it is unbelievable what he can do, makes his own buckskin outfits, repairs saddles. When it is cold, James pulls his stocking cap all the way down to his chin. It really looks weird sitting behind him, I told him never walk into a bank like that.

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When it is cold, James pulls his stocking cap all the way down to his chin. It really looks weird sitting behind him, I told him never walk into a bank like that.

Well done James and Mark!

That is fantastic Mark.

This speaks highly of everyone involved. His will to do the hunt, yours to set it up, and Dave's to follow through. Everyone should have friends like his.