Local group hosts hunting trip for wounded warriors Published Dec. 16, 2009 By Steve Berry 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Two veterans injured during combat in Iraq traveled from Pennsylvania to Illinois last week to participate in a morale-building deer hunt. Local hunters from the Shiloh Spurs organization treated the veterans to hunting on prime ground in Pike County, Ill. The wounded warriors began hunting Friday morning on private property near the town of Atlas, Ill. "Any hunter who hunts White Tails in the United States ... knows what Pike County is and what kind of deer are there, and the quality of the deer," said one of the hosts, William 'Slim' Boente, of O'Fallon. "Anybody jumps at the opportunity to hunt in that county." The veterans who traveled to Illinois for the hunt were Army Spc. Matt Houston, 25, and Army Sgt. Joe Jenkins, 41. Specialist Houston was working in Iraq as a military policeman in November 2003 when his leg was struck by a round from a .50 caliber machine gun. Specialist Houston's leg was amputated and he now uses a prosthetic leg. Sergeant Jenkins sustained a neck injury during combat near Fallujah, Iraq in April 2004. He is partially paralyzed and uses a wheelchair. Mr. Boente said the men had a successful hunt. Specialist Houston killed a doe and Sergeant Jenkins killed a doe and an eight point buck. The hunt was made possible through a network of hunters--many of which are members of the National Wild Turkey Federation. NWTF member Randy Rakers is the security manager at the U.S. Army Military History Institute in Pennsylvania. He is originally from New Baden, Ill., and played a big role in organizing the hunt. He is the connection between hunting outfitters, NWTF members and the wounded warriors program at Walter Reed Army Hospital. He said hunters and landowners in the state of Illinois have shown the most interest in hosting hunting trips for veterans, and the trips are very beneficial for wounded veterans. "It actually lets the guys know they can do things that they had given up on," said Mr. Rakers. "It's like I told the guys 'as long as you have the desire we will get you out there.' A lot of the guys haven't been hunting since they have been injured and its just one more thing that they realize that they can still do--its just they have to keep on trying." The area hosts and members of the Shiloh Spurs have big ideas for the future. Tim Kappert, of Mascoutah, Ill., said they would like to modify a camper or RV into a place where wounded warriors could stay and travel in to various hunting grounds Mr. Boente said the group would like to turn the hunting trip into an annual event with turkey hunting in the spring. The Wounded Warriors Hunt program gives injured servicemembers a chance to forget about their problems while enjoying a fun outdoor activity, according to Mr. Rakers. "The guys get to go back out and do what they did before and realize that they can still do it," he said.