ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Ten deer were harvested during Anniston Army Depot's Wounded Warrior Hunt, held Jan. 17-19. This was the second year the depot hosted the event.
"It was fantastic," said Ed Wood, a Navy Veteran who served in WWII and was participating for the first time. "I will take that memory with me to the grave."
Wood, a lifelong hunter said he killed the largest deer he has ever harvested in his life, a 163-pound, seven point buck.
For Wood and many of the other participants, however, the highlight of the event was meeting and being able to fellowship with fellow servicemembers from all branches of the military.
"My birthday present to myself was to go on this hunt," said Daniel Jackson who came with two friends and enjoyed catching up with them over the weekend.
Jackson killed a total of three deer during the span of the hunt -- two on Saturday, a doe and a four point buck, and a 12 point buck on Sunday.
Each wounded warrior was paired with a volunteer guide. The guides contacted the hunters ahead of the event to get to know them, often speaking with them frequently in the weeks leading up to the hunt.
"We talked every day until we got to the hunt," said Jackson of his guide, Daniel Lee.
"When I was accepted for the hunt, my guide got in touch with me and stayed in touch regularly," said Sgt. Michael Long.
Long shot one deer during the hunt, but it was not immediately located. For him, though, the weekend was all about the camaraderie with fellow servicemembers.
"I was just so proud to be part of the hunt and I look forward to participating again," he said.
In addition to the wounded warrior hunters, the depot opened a certain portion of the installation to hunters who are eligible to participate in Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities. These hunters, who were restricted to bow hunting, harvested three bucks.
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