NECEDAH --The second annual Wisconsin River Power Company Deer Hunt for Disabled Persons met with fantastic, though cool, hunting weather recently on the company's property just east of the Petenwell Dam. Five of six hunters were successful with the sixth seeing plenty of action but unable to capitalize.

A highlight of the hunt was the 8-point, approximately 170-pound buck taken by Carl Winger, Farmer City, Ill. Carl was an army chemical weapons destruction supervisor in Iraq when he was inadvertently exposed to wartime chemical agents, which was compounded by a bout with Multiple Sclerosis.

All who took part in the event, including the hunters, family members and WRPCO volunteers, were extremely pleased.

"I knew we'd have a good hunt," said Greg Egtvedt, environmental manager who organizes the disabled hunt along with Darrin Johnson of WRPCO. "But five out six might have even exceeded my expectations. It's very gratifying to take part in the kind of event that can bring some joy back into the lives of people who have disabilities."

Hunter Chad Degroot of Waterford, injured in a fall several years ago agreed. "Since my accident, I haven't been able to enjoy too many things. I definitely enjoyed this hunt and just want to thank Greg and the other really fine people who helped with this," he said.

Company volunteers set up deer stands before the hunt and accompanied the hunters during the event. Others helped coordinate transportation, meals and field dressing the animals.

"We have about 400 acres suitable for hunting," Egtvedt said. "We were able to increase the number of stands this year to accommodate six hunters, up from four last year. My hope is that we can clear some other areas that are just too thick to hunt now so we can maybe increase the number of hunters that can participate next year."

Wisconsin River Power Company is owned by Wisconsin Public Service Corp. and Wisconsin Power and Light. It is operated by Wisconsin Public Service and includes the Petenwell and Castle Rock dams on the Wisconsin River between Wisconsin Rapids and Wisconsin Dells, totaling 35 megawatts of potential electric generation.

Contributed by Wisconsin River Power Company.