Fort Custer Hosts 19th Annual Freedom Hunt

The Michigan National Guard hosted 35 hunters for the 19th annual Freedom Hunt Oct. 14 to 18, at Fort Custer, Michigan.

The event is an autumn white-tailed deer hunt for hunters with disabilities, many of whom are military veterans. More than 50 community and military volunteers assisted the hunters in harvesting 13 deer.

“This event is important to our office for a couple of reasons,” said Brian Huggett, Fort Custer environmental specialist. “It's a great way to show our disabled veterans how we care about them and that we want them to know we still honor their contributions to our nation. It is also a great occasion to provide access to recreational opportunities to folks with physical disabilities.”

Organized by the installation's environmental team, the annual tradition provides an adaptive hunting opportunity at zero cost. Lodging and hunting grounds were arranged on-site.

The hunt was made possible through the support of local businesses, civic groups, and conservation organizations, including the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and Hunters Feeding Michigan.

Huggett credits the volunteers for helping maintain a healthy deer population on the installation by enabling a successful hunt.

“We have volunteers who set up the more than 35 pop-up blinds and 50 feeders; volunteers who track, drag, and field dress the deer after the hunters have done their part; and volunteers who get up at 3 a.m. to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the hunters and folks that run the show,” said Huggett. “These volunteers are some of the most dedicated groups of people that I’ve had the honor to work with.”

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