Local NWTF Chapter Hosts Annual Veterans’ Bear Hunt

Veteran Kyle Abbott of Jacksonville, North Carolina joined three fellow vets, Jeff Frederickson of Kingsport, Tennesee, and Evan Matter of Fairfax, Virginia, in the annual Veteran's Bear Hunt put on by the Northern Catskills Longbeard's Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). Three vets harvested three bears, with a fourth taken by volunteer, Ryan Young 17, of "Chappy's Outdoors," an organization whose mission is to, "Conduct hunting and fishing trips for our nation's wounded veterans in order to facilitate physical, emotional, and spiritual healing through proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ." The bears were all harvested in or near cornfields sustaining heavy crop damage from nuisance bear activity.

By Larry DiDonato

The Northern Catskill’s Longbeard’s Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) held its annual Veteran’s Bear Hunt once again this year. Three veterans plus one representative from “Chappy’s Outdoors” shot a total of four bears during the early firearms season’s opening weekend on September 6th and 7th. The largest of the four weighed well over three hundred pounds and all were harvested at corn fields in Greene County experiencing heavy crop damage. So, while all the vets had a great experience bear hunting in the Northeast, they were actually providing a needed service by culling nuisance bears from the landscape. Veterans, Kyle Abbott of Jacksonville, North Carolina joined two fellow vets, Jeff Frederickson of Kingsport, Tennessee, and Evan Matter of Fairfax, Virginia, in the annual Veteran's Bear Hunt put on by the Northern Catskills Longbeard's Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). Three vets harvested three bears, with a fourth taken by volunteer, Ryan Young 17, of "Chappy's Outdoors," an organization whose mission is to, "Conduct hunting and fishing trips for our nation's wounded veterans in order to facilitate physical, emotional, and spiritual healing through proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ." The bears were all harvested in or near cornfields sustaining heavy crop damage from nuisance bear activity.

Bob Monteleone led a great group of local NWTF chapter members who expertly used their hunting skills and experience to make the vet bear hunt a resounding success. Bob expressed his great appreciation to James Novak, Sean Brady, Jeremy Fromer, and Dennis Eacott, for a job well done! They each got bears within range for a humane harvest.

Bob also thanks his family and all the volunteers who made this event possible by providing lodging, meals and other support.

The bear hunt is the second veteran’s hunting event in Greene County put on by Bob and the Northern Catskills Longbeard’s chapter of the NWTF. This past spring, 9 of 11 veteran hunters harvested at least one turkey in another great event boasting high success rates connecting our veterans with some nice gobblers. Bob. who is the President of the local NWTF chapter said, “It’s a great experience for both veterans as well as volunteers. Our members expressed great satisfaction in trying to give back and thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice keeping us safe in our homeland.”

Happy hunting, fishing, and trapping until next time!