Nevada Outdoorsmen in Wheelchairs (NOW) is a local nonprofit organization that has been providing hunting experiences for people who use wheelchairs since 2008. This special outreach was founded by Chad Bliss 18 years ago while he was serving on the Wildlife Advisory Board for the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). At the time, two hunters with disabilities requested special consideration that Chad knew would be difficult for NDOW to provide. Believing he could personally assist them with their request, he took the two men to Newark Valley to hunt antelope. That initial experience inspired him to create opportunities for wheelchair-bound hunters to enjoy hunting experiences.
What began as a simple act of kindness quickly grew into a service-oriented, non-profit organization, with a board of directors and corporate sponsors. Initially, Silver State Ranches provided the landowner tags and access to hunting grounds for the first couple of years. Nevada Bighorns Unlimited (NBU) used their legal resources to form the 501(3)C, LLC, and Nigel Harrison has been a board member since its inception.
With the help from Linford Miller, NOW has secured land-owner antelope tags from Diamond Valley farmers. When antelope populations on a property exceed certain levels, landowners can secure landowner tags, which they then donate to NOW. In addition to donating tags, these farmers postpone hunting on their land until the NOW participants have had the opportunity to hunt first.
Built on the belief that helping others is one of life’s greatest rewards, NOW has discovered that generosity is contagious. What started with helping one or two hunters each year has grown into annual event serving six or seven hunters. Providing these experiences requires the support and commitment from many volunteers, sponsorships, and community partners. The hunts are not just about taking hunters out to fill their tags; they provide a very uniquely Nevada experience.
Hunters travel from across the country a few days before their hunt. Guests are taken to Osino to tour Jeff Williams’ personal gun museum, a private collection that includes every model of gun from every American war. Participants may also tour a Nevada gold mine or visit Cowboy’s Rest in the Ruby Mountains before heading to Diamond Valley, where they will stay for the next four days.
Additional activities include fishing at Cold Creek in Newark Valley and target practice at Perdiz Shooting Range. The day concludes with an amazing dinner at Linford and Sue Miller’s house back in Diamond Valley. Throughout the event, NDOW sends a team of people who prepare meals for all involved.
In the early days, Chad raised money by placing cans on the counters of local businesses, hoping people would donate enough to sponsor at least one hunter each year. As the program grew, donations and support also grew. For the past several years, employees at Southwest Gas Corp. have selected NOW as the recipient of voluntary employee contributions, which are matched by the company. The financial support has helped expand the program and continue its mission.
“This program has become more of a ministry,” Linford Miller stated while discussing the program. “When these people arrive, they are excited with anticipation, and when they leave, they have become life-long friends.”
Information about this project is available on their website at https://nevadaoutdoorsman.org
