Wounded warrior bags his buck
By
Jeff Himler
Staff writer
Friday, December 10,
2004
BLAIRSVILLE--Jeremy Feldbusch may not see his deer the way a million other Pennsylvania hunters do. But, last week, the local Iraq War veteran, who was blinded by shrapnel wounds in April 2003, knew what it was like once more to bag a buck.
Feldbusch helped break ground in Pennsylvania,
when he was issued a new special Game Commission permit which allows blind
outdoor enthusiasts to join the hunt--aided by a human companion and a firearm
which projects a laser beam to the target. Accompanied by his father, Brace, who
helped him aim at his quarry, Feldbusch felled a button buck with one shot while
hunting Dec. 2 along the Conemaugh River between Torrance and Bolivar.
"It was a very big thing," Feldbusch said of his successful trip. He not only
achieved his goal of resuming a sport he'd enjoyed while growing up, he also is
offering hope to others who may have had doubts they could take part in the
state's hunting tradition. After his injury in Iraq, Feldbusch noted, "I was
knocked down a few rungs on my ladder." But he's bounced back to follow a number
of pursuits, besides hunting. In support of other injured veterans, Feldbusch
maintains a busy schedule of speaking engagements and medical facility visits.
In fact, he may be busier now than he was as a college student, or even in the
Army. He's also logged 65 miles on a tandem bicycle to help raise funds for the
Wounded Warrior Project. That organization provides backpacks filled with
toiletries and other comfort items to wounded veterans. "It's amazing to show
people: there are so many things I can accomplish," Feldbusch said. "Something
may happen to you, but does it hold you back? No." Pennsylvania Game Commission
Press Secretary Jerry Feaser noted the new blind hunter permits are good for a
lifetime. So far, only one other such permit has been granted--to a hunter in
Allegheny County. "This is the first year people who are blind can go hunt in
Pennsylvania," Feldbusch said. "That was my main goal." His father noted the
Game Commission responded promptly when his son inquired about using
laser-equipped firearms. "It was nice that Harrisburg reacted so fast," Brace
said. The Feldbusches had an initial promising reply from the Game Commission
within a few days and Jeremy had his permit issued on Oct. 20, in plenty of time
for the start of buck season. Jeremy Feldbusch also is providing state officials
a letter from his doctor, documenting his vision loss. According to the permit,
Feldbusch may use a firearm equipped with a laser- sighting device, which
projects a beam onto the target, as long as he is accompanied by a qualified
spotter. The spotter must have at some point held a state hunting license or
have successfully completed an accredited hunter safety course. The spotter must
remain within five feet of Feldbusch whenever the gun is loaded and "must have a
clear view to the target and beyond at the time the firearm is discharged." In
addition, the permit notes that the spotter is held responsible for "target
identification, directing the fire of the permittee and assuring the safety of
each shot." "Generally, we do not allow the use of electronic devices such as a
laser," Feaser said of Game Commission hunting policies. "But, under the extreme
circumstances here, we think it's appropriate." Feldbusch received donated laser
pistol grips from Crimson Trace, an Oregon-based firm which also supplies such
devices for police agencies and target shooters. Feldbusch noted he was sent a
plastic, battery-powered laser grip, replacing the original walnut grip on the
Smith and Wesson .44 Magnum revolver he used to fell his deer. He also obtained
a five-year permit needed to use the handgun for hunting in Pennsylvania.
Feldbusch also received a grip for a .45 automatic pistol, but he may use that
weapon only for target practice since Pennsylvania prohibits use of automatic
weapons for hunting. Laser devices also are available for rifles, but the
Feldbusches note that equipment must be custom-mounted. When sighted in
properly, the red laser beam allows the blind hunter's companion to tell when
the gun is aligned properly with the target. "They're your eyes to get the laser
on the animal you want to shoot," Jeremy Feldbusch noted. Brace Feldbusch
indicated he and his son still are exploring the limits of the new hunting
technology. He pointed out, the farther away the target is, the steadier the
hunter's aim must be to keep the red laser light from straying off the mark. In
addition to hunting in the field, he and his son have used the laser grips in
target practice sessions at the local Virginia Farms public rifle range. Brace
reported the laser light has been easier to see against natural objects in a
wooded setting. Still, he said, "The first time (Jeremy) shot the pistol with
the laser, he hit a one by one foot target four out of seven times."
On the first day of buck season, Feldbusch and his father got up before 5 a.m. and headed to the same general area of Derry Township where Jeremy later was successful. But they initially were frustrated by missed opportunities, when deer scampered away before Jeremy had a chance to aim his pistol. "The second day, we didn't see anything," Brace noted. The pair next returned to the wooded bottom land early Thursday afternoon. "We went down close to where we were the first day," the elder Feldbusch said. Two initial deer sightings didn't pan out. On the first occasion, the animal was spooked; on the second, the deer stopped just shy of moving into an opening between the trees. Shortly after the second encounter, Brace recalled, "We heard crunching in the same direction, and it sounded pretty close." Jeremy's placement was ideal. With his back against a tree, he was able to use his legs as a bench to support his aim. "This time the deer started walking out into the opening," Brace continued. "It was uphill a little from us." Allowing Jeremy to point his gun without any physical assistance, Brace whispered directions to help his son aim for the target. Jeremy recalled, "He was talking real soft, so just he and I could hear it. "He said, 'Cock the hammer, it's about 30 to 40 yards away. To the right, to the right. Go ahead...shoot.' " "He was centered on the main body of the deer," Brace said. "It went right down with one shot." It took a few moments for Brace to relay the good news to his son, as their ears were ringing with the echo of the gunshot. "It was exciting for both of us," Jeremy said. "When I found out the deer was there and I shot it, and when my Dad said, 'Jeremy, you got it,' there was a giant smile on my face. Jeremy briefly was confused when he heard his father talking to someone else in the middle of the woods: "I didn't know he had brought his cell phone and his digital single-shot and DVD cameras," to give an immediate hunting report to family and friends and later share images of the moment. While he thought to bring all the extra electronic gear, Jeremy teased his father for forgetting to carry along a knife to gut the deer. "We had to drag the deer about 150 yards to our truck," Jeremy said. Another hunter loaned them a knife so they could field dress the animal. Every hunter dreams of getting a buck with a big rack, like the 10-point Feldbusch shot when he was 16 years old. But he indicated his excitement wasn't diminished by his current deer's lack of a similar trophy. In accordance with state regulations, he tagged the "button buck" with a doe license. "It was a first year deer; it was probably two-thirds grown," he said. But, for his first attempt at hunting since his wartime injury, he added, "Everything was a bonus--seeing a deer and getting a deer." His father pointed out, with the special permit, Jeremy is subject to the same regulations governing sighted junior hunters ages 12-16. He may shoot a buck as long as its developing set of antlers, or "spike," is at least three inches long. That's just one way hunting has changed for Jeremy Feldbusch. A slower pace is required when navigating through wooded terrain, even with a sighted companion. "Now we're hunting as a team," his father said. "When we walk, we're twice as loud" as one hunter would be. "And it takes twice as long to go through an area. "I have to watch for my footing and (Jeremy's) footing, my face and his face," to avoid painful encounters with sharp twigs or thorns. "It's very different hunting now," his father said. "We have to be cautious all the way around." In addition to avoiding physical obstacles in the wild, Jeremy--with the help of his sighted guide--must be careful not to point his laser directly into the face of any other hunters, as it might injure their eyes. The lingering effects of the younger Feldbusch's severe head wounds often require him to stop for a rest during a normal day's routine. So, his father noted, "Being led around through the woods all day--it gets difficult." But father and son have discovered such challenges are worth it, considering the potential end result. "I had a great time," Jeremy said. "It was great to be a hunter again." Feaser indicated other legally blind sportsmen who would like to apply for the new hunter permit in Pennsylvania should begin the process by contacting their regional Game Commission office. He noted applications are weighed on a case-by-case basis. Jeremy Feldbusch's family will continue to savor his rediscovered hunting skills. The deer he shot has now been turned into sausage, burgers, steaks and jerky. Before the end of deer season tomorrow, Brace plan-ned to go out again to try his own luck with a buck or doe. But, he noted, "If I don't get anything this year, I had a heck of a season with Jeremy." End of article.