Outdoor Buddies

The Outdoor Buddies hunting program for mobility-disabled persons includes a very large variety of hunting activities including big game, turkey, upland bird, waterfowl, and other types of hunting. The big game hunting program includes hunts for pronghorn, deer, and elk. Hunting activities are generally held on private land, rather than where the presence of the general public makes it more difficult for disabled hunters. Outdoor Buddies provides experienced able-bodied volunteers (Able-Buddies) to accompany disabled participants (Handi-Buddies) on the activities. For 2023 - Outdoor buddies performed approximately 80 antelope hunts, 25 elk hunts, 15 deer hunts, and 2 goose hunts.

The Outdoor Buddies fishing program is designed for mobility-disabled persons and includes a variety of fishing activities. Our model of pairing experienced able-bodied volunteers (Able-Buddies) with disabled participants (Handi-Buddies) has been a successful concept. Fishing activities are typically conducted in a group format of anywhere between four to twelve participants. Outdoor Buddies fishing activities are held in public locations as well as on private land. Outdoor Buddies Youth Programs (1) increase public awareness and education about Colorado's natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities, and (2) develop relationships with other organizations who work with youth to provide opportunities to engage youth in outdoor recreation in Colorado. Unfortunately, COVID 19 protocols reduced this program activities in 2020 since most youth activities are in groups.

Warriors On Cataract Canyon sponsors 4-day whitewater trips on the Colorado River through Canyonlands National Park from Moab to Lake Powell for our disabled veterans. Last summer we were able to provide four trips, each taking about 25 Wounded Warriors, their caregivers and families on each trip. We accommodate veterans with very significant levels of disability, such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic injuries, multiple amputations, burns, depression, substance abuse, and those with wheel chairs and service dogs. Each year over 8,000 veterans succumb to their hopelessness and depression and die by their own hand. This is more than have ben lost in 18 years of combat in the conflicts in the Middle East. This doesn't have to be. We find that this whitewater trip is a watershed for many of the Wounded Warrior participants, giving them new hope and perspective, and forming a support group of other combat veterans, thereby putting them on a path to recovery and reintegration.