Our mission is to help Veterans & 1st Responders with PTSD by providing them with an opportunity for a hunt.
ACTIVITIES
Making A Difference
JOIN US
If you are a Veteran, whether experienced or are new to hunting, we can help you get trained and onto a hunt either using a rifle or bow. We organize group hunts as well as facilitate individual hunts.
WESTERN CANADA BIG GAME
We have access to both Public and Private land hunts primarily in Alberta. We can offer: Black Bear, Elk, Moose, Deer and Sheep hunts.
AFRICA HUNTS
If you have ever dreamed of hunting the dark continent we can help. We work with a group in the Republic of South Africa that is Veteran owned and operated and specializes in the Eastern Cape Plains Game.
2020 HUNTING SCHEDULE
Updated 1 October
All hunts are led by Veteran Hunter Hosts or licensed Outfitters.
SPRING SNOW GOOSE
May 1-7
Concluded
SPRING BLACK BEAR
June 4-7 / June 12-15
Hinton Alberta
MERRIAM TURKEY
Whitecourt Alberta: June-August
We have a limited number of sponsored Private Land Merriam Turkey hunts with JP Hunting Adventures. https://j-poutdoorhuntingadventures.site123.me/
3D ARCHERY SHOOT
Range Rd 55, Cremona, AB: 25 July
This will be our 1st 3D Shoot for Veterans and 1st Responders
Max 20 Participants
2 Rounds of 3D (Rain or Shine)
1st Round Starts at 10am
Prizes for all Participants
BBQ Lunch
Compound/Recurve/Crossbow
Cost $50 (a portion of the proceeds will go to the WineGlass Wellness Retreat renovation)
RSVP NLT 10 July to:
CAMERON RIDGE SUMMER WORK
British Columbia: 21 June- 5 July; 5 July-19 July; 19 July-2 August;
An opportunity for Veterans and 1st Responders to spend some time in the outdoors. Shared cabin accommodations and food are free in exchange for some light labour around the camp ie trail cutting, wood cutting, structure maintenance & construction. Required kit list and detailed travel instructions are available at time of booking.
CAMERON RIDGE FALL ASST GUIDES
British Columbia: 1-10 Sep Goat Hunt / 23 Sep - 6 Goat/Moose Hunt / 1-8 Oct - Moose Hunt / 11-18 Oct Moose Hunt
Great opportunities to get experience on a Western Canada mountain hunt as an Assistant Guide.
TROPHY SHEEP/NON-TROPHY SHEEP
Cochrane Alberta: Trophy Sheep 25 Aug - 31 Oct (Resident); and 1 Sep - 31 Oct (Non-Resident); Non-Trophy 10 Sep - 31 Oct
Dates are flexible, based on your schedule. We have an experienced Veteran Hunter Host willing to help you harvest a Trophy or Non-Trophy Sheep on your AB Resident General Rifle Tag, Draw Tag or Non-Resident Draw Tag.
BLACKTAIL DEER - ARCHERY
South Vancouver Island BC: 29-30 Aug
3 x Hunters plus Host; 2 day 1 night camping on public land. Loaner tents available.
BLACK BEAR - ARCHERY
South Vancouver Island BC: 5-6 Sep
3 x Hunters plus Host; 2 day 1 night camping on public land. Loaner tents available.
BLACKTAIL DEER - RIFLE OR BOW
South Vancouver Island BC: 26- 27 Sep
3 x Hunters plus Host; 2 day 1 night camping on public land. Loaner tents available.
ELK - ARCHERY
Hinton Alberta: 31 Aug-3 Sep / 8-11 Sep / 16-19 Sep
FULL
ELK - ARCHERY
Cochrane Alberta: 1 Sep-24 Oct
FULL. WMU 314. Private land hunts. Antlered & Anterless. I am able to bring two hunters per month onto the property. Contact me with the dates you would like to hunt.
BLACK BEAR
Nova Scotia: 13-19 Sep
Bow or Rifle
BOW/RIFLE HUNTS
Peace River Alberta: Sep - Jan Moose/Elk/Whitetail
WMU 523. Close by within an hour's drive:
WMU's 522, 526, 527, 520, 544, 521, 360
Cabin on acreage for accommodations or you can bring your own RV.
PHEASANT HUNT
11 Oct
Full. Wessex Game Birds, Carstairs AB.
WATERFOWL
New Brunswick Dates: 2-4 Oct; 10-13 Oct; 18-21 Oct; 26-29 Oct.
Hunts guided by Maritime Goose Hunters https://www.instagram.com/maritimegoosehunters/
BLACK BEAR - RIFLE OR BOW
South Vancouver Island BC: 17-18 Oct
3 x Hunters plus Host; 2 day 1 night camping on public land. Loaner tents available.
ELK - RIFLE
Cochrane Alberta: 25 Oct-30 Nov
FULL. WMU 314. Private Land. Antlered Elk 3pt or Larger. I am able to bring two hunters onto the property. Contact me with the dates you would like to hunt.
WATERFOWL
South Vancouver Island: 31Oct
3 x Hunters plus Host. Day trips to a Ducks Unlimited property.
WHITE-TAIL DEER RIFLE HUNTS
Cochrane Alberta: 1-30 Nov
FULL. WMU 314. Private land hunts. Antlered & Anterless. Wheelchair accessible heated blind.
WATERFOWL
South Vancouver Island: 7 Nov
3 x Hunters plus Host. Day trips to Ducks Unlimited property.
BLACKTAIL DEER - RIFLE OR BOW
South Vancouver Island BC: 14-15 Nov
3 x Hunters plus Host; 2 day 1 night camping on public land. Loaner tents available.
BLACK BEAR - RIFLE OR BOW
South Vancouver Island: 28-29 Nov
3 x Hunters plus Host; 2 day 1 night camping on public land. Loaner tents available.
NEWFOUNDLAND HUNTS
Maritime Residents ONLY
Ptarmigan - Sep 19 - Nov 8 2020.
Grouse - Sep 19 - December 27 2020
Migratory bird - Sep 19 - Dec 26 2020
Coyote / Wolf Sep 12,2020-July 15 2021
COW ELK RIFLE - WMU 314 DRAW
Cochrane Alberta: Dec-Jan
Must be drawn for 314 Cow Elk. Private Land Hunts - WMU 314. Contact me with the dates you would like to hunt.
KEY PEOPLE
Veteran Hosts & Advisors
MATTHEW RITCHIE
AB - Elk (Bow/Rifle)
Served in the Canadian Army from 2001-2004, joining just after 9/11. Posted to 1st Bn Royal Canadian Regiment as an Infantryman. Deployed to Kabul Afghanistan in 2003-2004 for Operation Athena with 3rd Bn Royal Canadian Regiment.
“My Father was the Lead Guide for a friend’s outfitting business so at a very young age I hunted, fished and trapped. The last few years I have returned to my roots and I have become more involved with the outdoors as it is a place of reflection and safety for me as the world we live in becomes more and more overwhelming. I look forward to meeting everyone and sharing our experiences”.
KEENAN FEENEY
AB - Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep/Black Bear
Served in the Canadian Army from 2008-2011 with 1st Bn Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.
"Last season I accomplished a feat that few hunters ever achieve, harvesting a Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep solo. I have a passion for helping fellow Veterans achieve the same dream".
RICH PEARCE
BC - Bow/Rifle
Served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1996 until 2020 as a NESOP and Ships Diver based out of Esquimalt BC. Deployed on multiple Ops: Op Apollo, Op Augmentation: Op Athena: and Op Caribbe.
"I enjoy the wilderness and helping others do the same. I’m excited to be able to host Veteran Hunters this fall and share my passion for hunting on Vancouver Island BC".
PAUL WAGMAN
AB - Elk (Bow/Rifle)
Paul Wagman Serves as a Detective with the Calgary Police Service. His family understands service, both military and policing. Paul has 10 family members spanning three generations serving as police officers. He is the founder of Wayfinders Wellness Retreat, a ranch retreat and resource where 1st Responder and Military Peers help Peers navigate trauma. https://www.wayfinderswellness.ca/
‘Access and interactions with nature are healthy, whole experiences, often opposite to the frequent and repetitive exposure to trauma and potential threatening environments responders and military usually face. I strongly promote and support Veteran Hunters, time with peers, and time outdoors. I enjoy introducing people to the outdoors and wildlife experiences. It’s one of the best ways to bring balance to your life. I am proud to be involved with VH!‘
RYAN EDWARDS
NL - Small & Big Game Hunts
Served in the Canadian Army from 1997-2009 with 2nd Bn Royal Canadian Regiment as an Infantryman. Deployed to Bosnia in 1999.
While serving in Gagetown NB, Ryan fell in love with water-fowling, and big game hunting for Deer, Moose and Bear. He has found hunting to be extremely therapeutic for dealing with his PTSD.
Since retiring in 2009 and returning to Newfoundland, Ryan has continued to hone his skills related to Big Game hunting primarily for Moose.
For the 2020 season Ryan was successful in filling his first Woodland Caribou tag.
PASTOR WADE PATON
Chaplain
"I am currently one of the pastors at Rock Pointe church in Calgary. I have been in Christian ministry for 20 years, serving churches in Alberta, Ontario and one ministry assignment that took me to Thailand for 4 years. The theme I love talking about the most is freedom. I believe that no matter what we feel owned by or controlled by, we can be set free to live at peace with God, others and ourselves".
JORDAN WALSH
Hunter Advisor
Jordan brings his experience as a Professional Hunter and Host of The Riflemen on the Sportsman Channel to our orgnaization. https://www.thesportsmanchannel.com/show/the-riflemen/374166
2020 GALLERY
Our Heroes in Action
At The Veteran Hunters we’re removing nightmares and making memories.
Cody K - Thunder Bay, ON
OUR SPONSORS
Please Support Them
VORTEX CANADA
Vortex Canada is the official Canadian distributor of Vortex Optics and is owned and operated by Paul Grant and Val Wyatt. Vortex provides world renowned optical instruments to birding and observation enthusiasts as well as meeting the exacting demands of tactical professionals and hunters.
BASS PRO SHOPS
CABELA'S
OUTDOOR FUND
The Outdoor Fund provides financial support to Canadian non-profit charities that support our 3 conservation pillars:
Advocacy: protecting the outdoor lifestyle and the right to hunt, fish, camp and trap
Education:teaching the next generation of hunters, anglers, campers, and recreational sport shooters
Conservation: improving the habitat with sound conservation methods to ensure future generations will enjoy hunting and fishing
The Outdoor Fund accomplishes this through generous support of Cabela’s Canada customers who round up to the nearest dollar at checkout in our retail stores, through the call centre and online at cabelas.ca.
GRAND VALLEY SAFARI CLUB
The Grand Valley Safari Club started 17 years ago with the aim of promoting and celebrating hunting in the Alberta Foothills.
ROYAL KAROO SAFARIS
Royal Karoo Hunting Safaris is situated in the mountainous Eastern Cape where the Great Karoo meets Valley Bushveld. This means that the region is rated as the best African Hunting spot for Kudu in South Africa and a world-class Bow Hunting destination.
Our various competitive hunting packages offer luxurious accommodation, set within 25,000 acres of malaria-free Fair Chase African Hunting preserve. Answer the call to the “Most Unforgettable African Hunting Experience”
COCHRANE DODGE JEEP RAM
Known for our extensive and diverse inventory, Cochrane Dodge is your central Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep RAM Dealership between Calgary and Canmore! Just 10 minutes West of the high prices and East of Alberta's breathtaking Rocky Mountains you won't find a better deal. We offer special pricing for Veterans.
MILITARY MINDS INC
Military Minds Inc is an active, connected membership that does not create programs or services but instead helps connect its members to those very programs and services that fulfill their needs.
OTHER CORPORATE SUPPORTERS
