Wheelin' Sportsmen and our teams of NWTF volunteers are delivering, and in some cases, re-introducing activities such as hunting, fishing, boating, bird watching and much more to an international audience of people with disabilities.

In 1996, Kirk Thomas created a group he called Wheelin' Sportsmen of America, which would host thousands of people with disabilities at catfish round-ups and similar fishing programs where able-bodied volunteers assisted participants. He did the same with hunting, hosting Does For Does and the Ultimate Team-Up, which also paired the able-bodied with the disabled for an Alabama white-tailed deer hunt.

His actions caught the NWTF's attention and in late 2000, Wheelin' Sportsmen became an official program of the Federation and was christened Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF.

Many NWTF volunteers and chapters have already provided access and opportunities for disabled sportsmen and women. But through this program, it is predicted that not long from now, every state will host Wheelin' Sportsmen events with the same resounding success that JAKES and Women in the Outdoors events have enjoyed.

The Virginia State Chapter NWTF started its' Wheelin' Sportsmen program in 2002. The program has grown from one or two events annually to more than 30 events statewide for people with disabilities in 2009.

For more information on becoming involved in our program here in Virginia, please contact our Volunteer State Coordinator.