Wittington Center, NM -- Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) and the Monroe Schuler Foundation took 5-female and 5-male disabled hunters to the New Mexico high country on their 7th Annual HAVA/Monroe-Schuler Elk Hunt in early December. Supported by 13 HAVA volunteers and 10 registered guides, these disabled veterans overcame the elements above 12,000 feet at the Vermejo Park Ranch to harvest 8 elk over a 4-day period with each going home with a renewed sense of their own abilities, many great stories to tell and 150 pounds of suitably processed elk meat. One of the female hunters, who uses a service dog for balance and mobility, logged over 18,000 steps in the snow without the dog in an impressive example of the HAVA program’s life-altering impact upon disabled veterans.

“The HAVA/Monroe Schuler Elk Hunt in New Mexico is the highlight of our hunting program and a true test of our ability to use the outdoors to help disabled veterans regain confidence in their future.” Said Tom Taylor, HAVA’s Chairman. “Each year we take 10 disabled veterans on this hunt-of-a-lifetime, and this year were able to include 5 female veterans in the mix. It’s fascinating to watch the reaction of these hunters to the wonders of the New Mexico mountains – and to see that gender really doesn’t change anything. All the women and all of the men had the same reaction:

“I can do more things than I ever thought possible after my injury.”

Regaining the disabled veteran’s confidence that the best of life is still ahead is our mission, and all of our activities focus on that objective.”

About HAVA

HAVA is a 501(c)3 organization formed by companies in the shooting and outdoor industry with the purpose of raising awareness and further assisting disabled veterans with their healing process through guided hunts, shooting events and other outdoor sports activities. The sustaining sponsor companies are Smith & Wesson, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), SIG SAUER, Academi, Arnold Defense, Crimson Trace, E3 Training, FMG Publications, GLOCK, Hornady, Leapers/UTG, Leupold & Stevens, Mossberg, National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW), Operation Hat Trick, Ruger, Savage, Surefire, Taurus, Vista Outdoor/Federal, XS Sights, and Yamaha Outdoors among numerous contributing companies. To learn more about HAVA, go to: www.honoredveterans.org.

Media Contact: Kim Cahalan 309-944-5341 or kim@mediadirectcreative.com