Lost Mound hunt in Illinois attracts 31 deer hunters with disabilities

Savanna, Ill. — A total of 31 hunters harvested 12 deer – seven bucks and five does – during the 19th annual Lost Mound deer hunt for hunters with disabilities at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in Savanna.

Held on Nov. 15-16, the hunt, which has gained national attention, had participants from six states. There also are several hunters each year who travel to Savanna from central and southern Illinois. This year, nonresident hunters came from Florida, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Scott Hansen, of Muskego, Wisconsin, harvested the largest buck, a 10-pointer that field dressed at 152 pounds.

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Down Deer Recovery, a certified United Blood Trackers provider, assisted hunters in recovering wounded deer again this year. Seth Nelson of Morrison, owns Down Deer Recovery, and his German shepherd Maverick, is his primary deer tracker. Nelson’s son, Oliver, and beagle, Ruger, also assisted with tracking.

Maverick tracks the scent of a stress pheromone released from an injured deer’s hooves, which is spread along the escape path. The canines assisted six hunters in tracking wounded deer that traveled a considerable distance.

The hunt is conducted in areas closed to public access due to ongoing environmental cleanup at the former Savanna Army Depot. Over 1,300 youth, adult and disabled hunters have participated in the hunt since its inception in 2007.

District Manager Ed Britton expressed excitement about the continued success of the program.

“It is a unique hunting experience by an extraordinary group of hunters,” Britton said. “Their daily challenges of life were dwarfed by the enthusiasm and determination for deer hunting. They provided both inspiration and encouragement to the Refuge staff and volunteers that administered the hunt.”