SHORELINES

Enabling the disabled Access to the great outdoors F or Rainbow City resident Eddie Brooks, time spent in the woods hunting is a real treat. "A bad day of hunting is better than a good day at the house," jokes Brooks, a Vietnam War veteran who was severely injured in battle and lost both his legs as a result. Brooks takes advantage of the Alabama Hunting and Fishing Trail for People with Physical Disabilities. He began hunting at R.L. Harris Management Area in Randolph County – which is owned and managed by Alabama Power, in partnership with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) – after it became part of the program several years ago. "It's a great program because it allows us to enjoy the outdoors and takes away some of the stress associated with hunting for a person with a handicap," Brooks says. Frank Allen, an area wildlife biologist with ADCNR, says the hunting trail offers the physically disabled a chance to experience the state's natural resources. "It is the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries' responsibility to success of the physically disabled hunting provide opportunities to all hunters, not just trail," Allen says. "This is a perfect example the ones that are able to hike 10 miles or of a state agency working with the private climb 20 feet into a deer stand," Allen says. sector to achieve a common goal. … Without this partnership, the Brooks is not only hunting trail would grateful there are safe "It's a great program not exist." locations available for Brooks encourages physically challenged because it allows us to others to take hunters, but also that he enjoy the outdoors." advantage of the can continue to share his facilities and says the love of the outdoors with his family. He noted that a hunter is allowed hunters he hunts with all agree the staff at both locations operated by Alabama Power to bring an assistant to the site if needed. "Occasionally I do bring along an assistant are some of the best. "They go out of their or two – one of the grandkids," Brooks says. way to help you; it doesn't take long and you Alabama Power annually licenses more learn each other's names and look forward than 80,000 acres for recreational hunting and to talking to them." Alabama Power employee Sheila Smith, works with the ADCNR to feature the Harris location and the Smith Management Area who works as a team leader in Shoreline in Walker County as part of the statewide Management, says she looks forward to network of hunting, fishing and shooting hunting season each year. "The entire staff enjoys talking to these sites for those with physical disabilities. "The partnership between the Alabama hunters and taking their calls. We can't wait Department of Conservation and Natural for 'our hunters' to start calling," she says. Most of the time, the staff doesn't get to Resources and Alabama Power Company has been extremely important to the meet many of the hunters face to face. Opposite: Eddie Brooks, a hunter at the Lake Harris hunting site. 21

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