A wounded soldier returns home to hunt with his Dad

Jeremy Feldbusch had been an active outdoorsman his entire life.  Fate intervened in Iraq in April 2003, when he lost his eyesight while fighting for his country.

 

But this didn’t stop Jeremy from wanting to continue his family’s tradition of deer hunting in the Pennsylvania woods.

 

After Adam Wollander of Crimson Trace read Jeremy’s story, Crimson Trace contacted Jeremy to see if he would be interested in trying a set of Lasergrips for the upcoming deer season.

 

After accepting the offer to give Lasergrips a try in the field, Jeremy discovered it was illegal to use electronic devices such as lasers in the taking of game animals in Pennsylvania.

 

Undaunted, Jeremy contacted the Game Commission Press Secretary, Jerry Feaser, who promised to help him. Within days, the Game Commission enacted a new law that allows legally blind persons to take game animals with the use of a laser. 

 

“It was nice that Harrisburg acted so fast,” said Brace Feldbusch, Jeremy’s father. “

 

“This is the first year people who are blind can hunt in Pennsylvania,” Jeremy said. “That was my main goal.”

 

One of the requirements of the permit is that a sighted and licensed hunter must accompany Jeremy into the field, which the elder Feldbusch was only too happy do.

 

After three days of seeing deer but having the shot spoiled at the last minute, Jeremy finally got his buck.

 

“He was in the main body of the deer with the laser dot.  It went down with one shot,” Brace said.

 

Being led around the woods for days gets to the younger Feldbusch and because of his severe head wounds, he must stop throughout the day to rest.

 

“It’s very different hunting now but I am discovering new challenges and overcoming them,” Jeremy said. 

 

Perhaps the next time a tired hunter finds himself in the field, wondering if he can make it up that next hill, he’ll remember Jeremy’s story and grab some of his tenacity to finish the hunt in the same fashion he has.

 

Please take the time to see one of Jeremy’s passions, www.woundedwarriorproject.com , to help those that have help us in ways we cannot comprehend