The biggest thing that helped me regain some normalcy in my life was getting back into hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. Before my accident I was very active in high school sports and the outdoors. I participated in football, wrestling, and baseball in high school. When I did have free time I was doing something outdoors. When I had my accident at the age of 15, all of that changed. I did not think I would be able to do what I could before.
When I was 19 years old in my second year of college, I was contacted to go on a disabled archery hunt not too far from my hometown with an organization called Twist of Fate. This is a group of outdoorsmen who decided to give back by taking out handicapped individuals on a three-day archery hunt. I was lucky enough to be one of the first selected for the inaugural season. At first I didn't think I was going to be able to hunt because I hadn't done anything like that since my accident. But this group gave me a crossbow and within a couple weeks I had it mounted to my wheelchair and was flinging arrows just like the old days.
This group that got me back into the outdoors not only gave me that part of my life back, but also gave me the confidence to do other things in life. The personal confidence they gave me was immeasurable. That confidence has gotten me to where I am today. Along with the confidence, getting back into the outdoors made a huge difference in my life.
Since 1998 I have been chasing game every fall during archery and rifle seasons. My favorite hunts of the year are when I am chasing whitetail. I average around 20 sits with crossbow for deer every fall. But I also get out in the spring chasing turkeys. I have two different crossbows that I can attach to my wheelchair with different mounts that I have had made specifically for myself and my chair.
I didn't start shooting rifle until around 2008. The rifle mount is made professionally and mounts directly to my wheelchair. I also like to do a lot of fishing, all year round. Even on the ice. I was given an electric fishing reel during college and had a fishing rod mount made that attached to my chair. All of these devices work really well but we are always tinkering to make them a little bit better.
My hunting opportunities have taken me to northern Minnesota chasing black bear with my crossbow, western North Dakota chasing pronghorn with crossbow, Wyoming chasing pronghorn with rifle, and my home territory of southeastern North Dakota chasing whitetail and turkey.
About the Author
Clint was born and raised on a farm outside of Enderlin, North Dakota. When he was 15 years old, he was in a hunting accident that left him paralyzed as a C4-5 paraplegic. Clint graduated from North Dakota State University in 2002 with a degree in Mass Communication. He is president of his local wildlife club, assistant coach for high school trap team, Hunter Safety volunteer, active in summer baseball program, and a Mossy Oak Pro Staff member. Clint writes as much as possible about his activities, and hopes some of his ideas can help others get out and enjoy the outdoors.
Clint's ride is a Quickie S-646 SE
Most of the stories here on Live Quickie were submitted by readers. Do you have a story to tell? We'd love to hear it. Submit your story here.