Volunteers Build Accessible Hunting Blind at Midewin

Volunteers Help Midewin Improve Recreation Opportunities for Hunters with Disabilities.

Recreation staff at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie received frequent requests last year for a new accessible hunting blind. After consulting with local hunters, a site was selected that would potentially offer a good success rate for deer hunting in Prairie Creek Woods. Then Midewin looked to its dedicated volunteers to accomplish this project.

In late fall, three volunteers --- John Field of Downers Grove, Bernie Twait of Wilmington, and Dennis Wilson of Shorewood --- plus Midewin recreation staff Dan Brown and Mike Thom grabbed lumber, saws, and tools and constructed Midewin's fourth accessible hunting blind. Blind construction was stretched over three days, with final completion in early November, just before peak deer hunting season. Completion of the blind is providing more opportunities and a higher quality experience to hunters with disabilities.

The blind was constructed within 600 feet of a public parking lot to provide better access to people with disabilities who do not use a wheelchair. However, the new blind will accommodate a wheelchair plus one person to assist that hunter if needed. The blind sits two feet above the ground and is open on two sides to offer views with different arm rest heights on each side to accommodate different users.

This project is another welcome step in establishing Midewin's recreation program for all users on the former Joliet Arsenal.

Contact: Michael Thom,Recreation Forester, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, (815) 423-6370, mthom@fs.fed.us.