Five hunters came together for a weekend in the outdoors Oct. 2-3, but the success of the Coal Fields Special Sportsmen and Hands of a Sportsman hunt went beyond the six deer taken.
For organizers, the gathering was also about opening opportunities, making friends and sharing an experience that participants could carry home.
Three hunters from Buchanan County joined one from Pike County and another from North Carolina for the event, according to Buckey Blankenship, who shared a recap of the weekend.
“While six deer were harvested, the true success of this weekend cannot be measured by the number of deer taken,” Blankenship wrote. “It is measured in the smiles, friendships, opportunities, and memories made along the way.”
Coal Fields Special Sportsmen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of people facing challenges through guided outdoor experiences. Its work focuses on providing safe, ethical and educational hunting opportunities for people who may face financial, physical, social or other barriers to participation.
The organization seeks to help participants connect with nature while building a supportive community where they can find enjoyment and a sense of belonging outdoors.
The weekend gathering began with a meet-and-greet and an evening practice shoot on Friday, giving participants time to get acquainted and prepare for the hunt.
Hunters headed to their blinds Saturday morning with snack bags provided by Food City. Two hunters successfully took deer during the morning session before the group gathered for lunch at Breaks Interstate Park.
Blankenship thanked the park for its continued partnership with Coal Fields Special Sportsmen.
Participants returned to the woods for the evening hunt, when two of the remaining three hunters were also successful. Organizers reported that six deer were taken over the weekend.
As daylight faded, the group gathered around a campfire to share stories, laughter and memories from the day.
“Those moments of fellowship are what make weekends like this so special,” Blankenship wrote.
The event drew support from organizations, businesses and volunteers who contributed time and resources to make the experience possible.
Blankenship thanked Hands of a Sportsman, the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors, SWVA Sportsmen, CNX Resources, Tim Ivy Boutique, Breaks Interstate Park, Food City, RMEF and Whitetail Ridge Outdoors, along with the volunteers and other supporters of the organization.
“Your kindness, generosity, and willingness to give your time and resources make these experiences possible,” he wrote. “We simply could not do what we do without you.”
Blankenship said the organization’s work extends beyond the hunt itself.
“At Coalfields Special Sportsmen, our mission is about so much more than the hunt,” he noted. “It’s about providing opportunities, removing barriers, building friendships, and ensuring that everyone has the chance to experience the joy and beauty of the great outdoors.”
More information about the organization and its mission is available at www.coalfieldsspecialsportsmen.org.
