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Access for Hunters with Disabilities Improves in Pennsylvania

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Woodcock Dam’s access improvement was provided by representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Wheelin’ Sportsmen program and local volunteers.
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CRAWFORD COUNTY, Pa. — Sportsmen and women with disabilities now have improved access to more than 650 acres of public hunting land near Woodcock Dam in Crawford County, Pa., thanks to construction of a handicapped-accessible parking lot and a 520-foot access road leading to the property.

The property is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). It was upgraded by the PGC, the Corps of Engineers, the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Wheelin’ Sportsmen program and local volunteers. The enhanced parking and access area will give all hunters opportunity to enjoy prime hunting and wildlife watching in Crawford County.

Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF is an outreach program that provides outdoor recreational opportunities to those with disabilities. Through its Matching Grants Program, projects benefiting individuals with disabilities may be eligible for funding.

Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF helped provide more than 230 tons of gravel and stone to improve wheelchair access conditions to the property, while the PGC funded use of a bulldozer to distribute the gravel as well as manpower to add signs for the parking lot and access route. Glenn Sharpe, a local disabled hunter and Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF member, provided valuable input and advice for the project.

“I was glad to help out and offer my perspective on how we could make access to this property easier,” said Sharpe. “I appreciate everyone on this team doing something to help people with disabilities.”

Shayne Hoachlander, land management group supervisor for the PGC, thanked local volunteers, the Corps of Engineers and the NWTF for their support, including local NWTF chapter Northwest Thunderin’ Toms in Meadville, Pa.

“Now everyone who wants to enjoy this beautiful property, including hunters and wildlife watchers, will have the ability,” said Hoachlander.

For more information about this property or other public hunting areas in Pennsylvania, visit the PGC’s web site. The Corps of Engineers can be reached at (814) 763-4477.

Find a Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF outreach event in your area, visit . Apply for a Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF matching grant by calling (803) 637-7607.

Kevin Paulson

Kevin Paulson is the Founder and CEO of HuntingLife.com. His passion for Hunting began at the age of 5 hunting alongside of his father. Kevin has followed his dreams through outfitting, conservation work, videography and hunting trips around the world.

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