CLINTON, Ill. (WAND) – A new wheelchair-accessible hunting blind has been built near Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, offering disabled hunters in Central Illinois a safe and permanent structure to continue enjoying the outdoors.
The project was spearheaded by Clinton Lake Ducks Unlimited, which has a history of supporting accessibility for sportsmen and women.
Monte Campbell, area chairman, said this blind replaces an older structure that had deteriorated.
“This is a wheelchair accessible disabled person hunting blind for waterfowl,” Campbell explained. “We built another blind in 2004, and this one had been here, but was deteriorating so bad. We built a new one and tried to make it a permanent structure so it would last for a lot of years.”
Campbell said the effort is about ensuring everyone has the chance to enjoy a tradition that is important to the community.
“It’s just something that we all enjoy doing,” Campbell said. “We just try to support our handicapped friends. We’ve had several hunters that we actually hunted with who are in wheelchairs. It’s just good for the whole community.”
Volunteers have worked on the project for about two months. Campbell credited fellow volunteers and the community support for helping bring the idea to life.
Charlie Montgomery, site superintendent at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, said the project is a meaningful addition for the park.
“This area (where the blind is) is basically just for disabled hunters,” Montgomery said. “It’s a great thing.”
For Mike Bennett, co-chair of the Ducks Unlimited build project, the blind represents a way to give back to hunters who have faced challenges.
“We have hunters that have hunted all their life and then, through no fault of their own, became disabled,” Bennett said. “This is just an outlet they’re able to use and we’re able to provide collectively because you never know it may be us next year.”
The community has already shown strong support. Campbell said raffles and private donations helped fund the project. Both blinds at Clinton Lake were built in honor of charter members of the Ducks Unlimited Clinton chapter.
A dedication ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, at the blind site. Organizers plan to present a plaque and honor the late Bob Reiman, with his family in attendance.
Hunters interested in using the blind can apply through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
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