SUMMERS COUNTY W.Va. (Hinton News) – On Dec. 31, Warriors in the Field, a nonprofit group that provides outdoor experiences for veterans, made one last stop for the year in Summers County. Four deserving veterans were treated to the opportunity to take a whitetail doe on the final day of the West Virginia antlerless deer season. After a chilly start, the weather was extremely cooperative, and the veterans and volunteers were all able to harvest deer.
Army veterans Johnny Ratliff, of Hinton, West Virginia, Charlie Treadway, of Oak Hill, West Virginia and Shaun Crook, of Hinton, West Virginia were all successful at harvesting deer. Reservist, Sargent Ambrose “Sully” Webb, also of Hinton, West Virginia was able to take the first whitetail of his young hunting career.
While the organization has held other doe hunts to the north, this was the first of such hunts in the southern part of the state. The group was invited by Henry Guerriero, the landowner, to help with the management of the whitetail population on his farm outside of Hinton. The group is grateful to Guerriero for his hospitality and patriotic spirit. Additionally, Warriors in the Field want to thank Kenny Meadows, of Hinton, West Virginia. Not only did Meadows help coordinate the hunt, but he also volunteered to help on the day of the hunt.
Warrior’s volunteers Chris Gilbert and Tom Conway, both of Hinton, West Virginia, obtained blinds and other hunting necessities and with the help of Veteran Ratliff, set up the sites for the hunters and dismantled them after the hunt.
Shaun Crook called the hunt, “One of the best days I’ve had in a long time.” His hands were still shaking from the adrenaline rush 20 minutes after he took his deer. Charlie Treadway pointed to Shaun’s shaking hands and said, “That right there is what this is all about.” Sully Webb said of the hunt, “That was awesome. Can’t wait to do that again.”
Finally, the group would like to thank their fine sponsors, Safe and Sound Security Systems, Inc. and Gone Fishin’, of Hinton and PC Outdoors of MacArthur, West Virginia. Without their generous support and the support of all of the donors in 2023, Warriors in the Field could not provide these opportunities to veterans.
The group is looking to provide new and exciting opportunities to provide veterans in 2024.
If you would like to donate to Warriors in the Field or know of a deserving veteran that you would like to nominate for a trip, please visit the website at: www.warriorsinthefield.org.
