Veterans Find Comfort and Comradery on Guided Hunt

It’s hard to measure the healing powers of the great outdoors, but it’s easy to see and feel the impact. Pheasant Bonanza in northeast Nebraska became an idyllic backdrop for a group of U.S. armed forces veterans and civilian supporters to turn a guided hunt into an experience filled with stories, comradery and comfort. Veteran organizations team up with Pheasant Bonanza Hunting Club and Bobcat to provide these heroes with an opportunity to find adventure and fellowship through a shared experience in the outdoors.   

The group of local veterans and hunting guides from Pheasant Bonanza joined outdoor enthusiast Rick Kreuter from Beyond The Hunt TV and business leaders from Doosan Bobcat. The veteran hunters were invited to stay at the lodge and share a meal with the rest of the group. They exchanged stories about the hunt, their experiences serving in the military and life in general. While the experience was underway, a new story was unfolding, and a future with hope for continued healing came along with it.

Bobcat® UTVs played a role in the experience by transporting the hunters, dogs and gear to the fields. The guided hunt was made more accessible with help from two innovative brothers-in-law, Ed King and Steve Gettelfinger, who developed a cart that could be safely attached to the front of a Bobcat UTV. The cart allows more veterans, who may be physically limited, to participate in the fully guided hunting experience.  

The group found success on many levels. The experience’s value wasn’t measured by the number of pheasants they harvested but by the memories made and bonds created over the thrill of a shared adventure.