Hover scores during Wheeling Sportsmen hunt

By By Mike Giles / outdoors writer
Jan. 17, 2003
Several years ago a hunting accident out West almost took the life of Darrell Hover. With a strong will, a lot of hard work and a lengthy rehabilitation program, Hover has overcome the odds and is now back in the woods at every opportunity he gets. Initially it looked like he would never be able to hunt again. However, through the help of the NWTF/Wheeling Sportsmen's Ultimate Team Up last year, he was able to go hunting for the first time in several years.
During that three-day hunt at A and B Sportsmen's Club he was able to harvest his first deer in quite some time. That was something that he thought would never happen again. That hunt got him going and started a dream of harvesting a buck. This year he got the opportunity to participate in another Wheeling Sportsmen event held at Chunky.
Conservation officer Billy Murphy and Wayne Jones of P&P Outdoors accompanied him on his hunt. Ordinary day-to-day activities are difficult at best for Hover, but hunting from a motorized wheelchair is nigh on impossible, without some help. On this day he had some fine guides who also knew a thing or two about hunting. Ironically, Hover was able to hunt the same field that he scored in during last year's hunt.
Moment of truth
With the help of his guides, Hover got settled into the stand and started scanning the wood line and field. The deer didn't seem to be cooperating on this day as none appeared nearby until late in the hunt. Finally about 4:45 p.m., a lone buck came out. During the hunt, the rules stated that the deer had to be at least an 8-point and have a spread at least as wide as the ears; a fully mature deer.
The excited trio studied the deer intently while deciding whether he was a shooter. "He was definitely outside the ears, and definitely older than two and a half years old, so we had two out of three," stated Hover. "We just needed to spot one more point. So we went ahead and done that and decided to shoot the big boy. Once we pulled the trigger all we had to do was go pick the deer up." Hover had scored on a nice nine point that weighed in at 165 pounds.
Like most hunters, Hover was keyed up and excited about his hunt. In fact, he didn't sleep a wink that night. It was literally a dream come true. He had not hunted since the Ultimate Team Up last year, and the opportunity to get back into the woods was much appreciated.
These hunts have provided Darrell and others with the opportunity to get back into the woods and participate in a sport that would otherwise not be available to them. With the impetus that these hunts have provided, Hover and others are now starting to make preparations of their own to get into the woods more often. In fact, with the help of his sons and others, he has now gotten a shoot house that can be pulled behind an ATV. Hopefully, he will be able to use that portable stand and harvest many more deer.
Volunteers
Just as able-bodied hunters depend upon others to work together at the deer camp and in the woods, the Wheeling Sportsmen's organization depends heavily on volunteers for help. With more than 600 events a year held around the country there is no shortage of things to do. Our area is blessed to have many people who are willing to get involved and help out. Many of our conservation officers from this part of the state are quick to join in and help in any way possible as well.
A and B Sportsmen's club owner Jimmy Alexander is quick to give praise to many of the conservation officers who participate in these hunts because he has seen the results of their hard work first hand. Along with the participants and other volunteers, it is truly a blessing for one to be involved with the outdoors and Wheeling Sportsmen in particular.
If you don't think our conservation officers do anything but write tickets then think again. All you need to do is come out to the next hunt and help out and see for yourself. I guarantee you that everyone connected with Wheeling Sportsmen will be happy to have your help. Just ask hunters like Darrell Hover. It will be obvious when you see the smile on his face.