Nashville, TN—The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s (USA) Boots on the Ground program has teamed up with volunteers from the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) Locals 7 and 39 to offer more than 30 youth with varying physical and intellectual disabilities the opportunity to hunt whitetail during opening weekend of Ohio’s Youth Deer Gun Season on November 18 – 20.
Participants range in ages from 12 to 17 and were recruited from two Lawrence and Scioto County schools. Each youth and their family will receive a practice round and instruction at a local shooting range, a guided whitetail hunt, food and lodging for two nights at Shawnee State Park and an invitation to a kids-style banquet. Hunts will take place on public lands—specifically designated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources—in the Wayne National Forest as well as on select, private lands.
Spearheaded by George McCalvin from BAC Local 7 and run entirely by union volunteers, the project originated from a simple desire to provide access to kids who rarely or never get the opportunity to spend time in the great outdoors.
“This Boots on the Ground project should ring loud and clear with Ohioans and the American public” said USA Director of Recruitment and Fundraising Nate Whiteman. “Not only does it give these kids the chance to take part in one of Ohio’s most popular outdoor events, but it’s a great example of the good work union members are doing in their communities.”
The USA’s Boots on the Ground (BOTG) program brings together union members from around the country, who are willing to volunteer their time and expertise, to tackle conservation projects that improve and enhance public access, wildlife habitat and outdoor experiences for communities across America. This special youth hunt is the first of its kind for the program, which also strives to protect public land access for future generations.
This unique event is sponsored by the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, BAC Locals 7 and 39, the BAC Ohio Administrative District Council and Captrust. For more information about the BOTG youth hunt or to find out how you can help, contact Nate Whiteman at [email protected] or 440-867-8229.
The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) is a union-dedicated outdoor organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the Union community to expand and improve hunting and fishing access and wildlife habitat throughout North America. For more information, visithttp://www.unionsportsmen.org or http://www.facebook.com/unionsportsmen.
For more information, contact:
Laura Bliss Morris
Public Relations Coordinator
615-831-6798
[email protected]
