Hunterdon County Commissioners attend kickoff luncheon for annual Whitetail Deer Hunt for Individuals with Disabilities

RARITAN TOWNSHIP, NJ (Hunterdon County) – Hunterdon County Commissioner Director John Lanza, joined by Commissioner Susan Soloway, Department of Parks and Recreation staff, County Park Rangers, and representatives from the National Wild Turkey Federation, recently attended the kickoff of the annual Whitetail Deer Hunt for Individuals with Disabilities at the Heron Glen Golf Course in Raritan Township.

This three-day event offers an inclusive outdoor experience and underscores the county’s commitment to providing accessible recreational opportunities for all residents.

Director Lanza expressed his gratitude to those involved in organizing the event: “I want to thank everyone who contributed to making this event a success. The Whitetail Deer Hunt for Individuals with Disabilities is a testament to our community’s dedication to inclusivity and the outdoors. Your hard work ensures that we continue to offer meaningful, enriching experiences for all members of our community.”

The event, organized by the Hunterdon County Department of Parks and Recreation in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Wheelin’ Sportsmen program, began in 2007. It is held annually on county parkland.

Each day of the event starts with a welcome lunch for participants. Attendees then participate in guided deer hunts, with experienced volunteers ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. This hunt is also a part of the county’s deer management program at Heron Glen Golf Course. This year, approximately a dozen disabled hunters took part in the event and harvested 10 deer. The County Parks and Recreation Department also organizes wheelchair-accessible hunting blinds for participants.

Several of the hunters were former servicemen and members of the Wounded Warrior Project.

Commissioner Lanza also shared information about a new initiative to support veterans: “The Hunterdon County LINK system previously handled most transportation needs for veterans to doctor’s appointments at the Lyons VA Medical Center and VA East Orange Hospital. However, we learned that veterans were facing long wait times due to the demands on the LINK system. To address this, we partnered with goHunterdon, a local nonprofit, to arrange transportation with private companies such as Lyft and Uber if the LINK service is unavailable. This partnership ensures that our veterans can get to their medical appointments, and I’m pleased we were able to address this important issue with input from local veterans’ organizations.”