Hands of a Sportsman

Hands of a Sportsman is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that opens the outdoors to individuals facing physical, emotional, financial, or circumstantial challenges. Their mission is straightforward: get people hunting and fishing—and watch what happens.

They run organized hunts across multiple states, including youth deer hunts in North Carolina every December and partnership events in Ohio and South Carolina. Recent programs have taken first-time hunters into the field with guides and volunteers, turning newcomers into hooked sportspeople. They also host catfish trips and other fishing expeditions that emphasize camaraderie over competition.

Hands of a Sportsman partners with landowners, guides, and local hunting organizations to secure access. They provide the logistics—transportation, equipment assistance, volunteer support—so hunters with disabilities or other barriers can actually get out there. All-terrain wheelchairs, trigger assists, gun stands, and other adaptive equipment remove the obstacles that keep people sidelined.

"Inspire. Motivate. Overcome." — Their stated philosophy

• •Volunteer-driven model. They rely on landowner donations, volunteer guides, and community supporters. No commercial operation—this is people showing up because they believe disabled sportspeople deserve equal access to hunting and fishing.

• •Real impact. Their 2024 recap video showcases successful events across multiple states, with hunters catching their first deer, youth experiencing hunting tradition, and families bonding on the water. The stories matter more than the numbers here.

• •Adaptive focus. Unlike general hunting clubs, HOAS specifically accommodates physical disabilities and other challenges. They've thought through the equipment, the timing, the support structure needed to make outdoor sports genuinely accessible.

You can donate, volunteer as a guide or helper, become a land supporter, or apply for a hunt. They maintain a newsletter and active social media presence, so you can track upcoming events and success stories.

Location: Virginia-based organization operating hunts across the Southeast (NC, SC, OH and beyond).