Kerry Terrell says he's never experienced a feeling so incredible as the day he and Jason Beard went on their first turkey hunt, where Beard killed two turkeys in one shot. More than 20 years later, Terrell recalls that he wasn’t sure at first how to interact with someone like Beard, who became paralyzed from the neck down in 1995 due to a diving accident at just 18 years old.
Soon after meeting though, Terrell learned how very similar they actually were; “This guy loves the hunt as good as me.”
Both men grew up with a passion for sports and the outdoors, hunting and fishing from early ages in South Georgia. In their later years, Beard and Terrell were connected through a mutual friend, Charlie Boswell, who had adapted Beard’s rifle, making it much easier to shoot.
A friendship was born, which paved the way for the creation of the KT Team, a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities take part in hunting and outdoor activities. Since 2017, Beard and Terrell, the President and Vice-President of the KT Team, have had the help of more than a dozen team members and pro-staff in developing strategies and tools that make it possible for people with different levels of physical challenges to overcome limits, and experience the joy and community of the outdoors.
Today, the team has taken 52 hunters from 17 different states onto properties in Georgia and South Carolina for adaptive hunting trips. Each individual's disability requires unique strategies and modified tools, and through this work the non-profit has helped amputees, paraplegic, quadriplegic, and blind folks take part in the beloved outdoor sport.
Hunting conventions have been important in spreading the word about the organization, and many times, are where hunters with disabilities' friends and families first learn about the opportunities that the KT Team provides. Terrell talked about his recent trip to The National Wild Turkey Federation Convention, where he approached a young man with a disability and asked him if he liked to hunt. Like others that have experienced life changing injuries the young man answered, “Well I used to; I can’t anymore.”
Terrell says watching someone's face light up as they learn about what the KT Team does for the first time makes it all worth it.
Beard and Terrell, who is a national champion himself, say that the volunteers and award-winning staff who guide the trips have made the success of the KT Team possible, with the help of financial contributors, sponsors and brand partners like Nine Line Apparel making it happen behind the scenes. The revenue from the apparel, accessories and world-class turkey calls sold on the website bring in funds for the organization's mission.
Beard says that people with disabilities often experience financial difficulties that make activities outside of everyday life harder to prioritize. To participate in these hunting excursions, these folks need specialized weapons equipment, as well as golf carts and ramps that help them reach the accessible hunting locations. Most importantly, they need to be able to have all of their needs met while traveling, which can be hard for those who require extensive medical care.
The KT Team covers the costs of travel, food and lodging for these hunters. The networking that takes place at the competition events, Beard says, is vital to bringing in resources for the organization, as is the social media marketing they create across different platforms.
Just as important are the volunteers that work at the fundraisers, donors that provide land for the hunts, and other community members that cook meals for the team, including restaurants like Fish Eye Grill that donate to and cater team events.
The team reaches out into the community, often delivering testimonials and participating in worship nights at Connection Church. This past January, the KT Team partnered with Christian artist Anne Wilson, to bring a musical worship night to Evans, Georgia, benefiting the non-profit. The team is hoping to be able to host similar music events this coming summer.
Beard says he has had his sights set on spreading this testimony of helping others like himself since the first hunt where he told Terrell, “You’ll see.” The pair say that where there has been doubt, prayer and faith have brought the team the answers and blessings they needed.
“We were having a lot of fun just hunting me and him, we could just do that ourselves and not share it,” said Beard, “But God softened our hearts.”
It is through this conviction that the KT Team is continuing to strive towards the long term goal of constructing a specialized, accessible lodge for their hunters. They say that often, the most important part of bringing everyone together for a hunt is just hanging out afterwards. “These guys, when you get them all together, they help each other more than we realize,” said Terrell.
These ambitions would not be possible though, without the help of fundraising events and the contributions of volunteers and sponsors. On March 8, The KT Team is hosting their annual Gala event in Savannah, Georgia, where other organizations can sponsor the non-profit and participate in a raffle and auction.
Terrell described his admiration for the people that volunteer with the team, especially the youth, who he says get an opportunity to learn life lessons through their involvement. Junior National Champion Bo Bartlebaugh, who donates his winnings to the team and aspires to guide a hunt, is a special kid according to Beard.
“I think it changes their outlook, a lot of these kids,” he said.
You too can be a part of helping people with disabilities get back into the outdoors by purchasing apparel, participating in fundraising events or donating directly to the organization. Visit the KT website for more information about their mission and getting involved