— Anthony Correia was a typical young boy. He was inquisitive, full of energy and held a penchant for the outdoors. Then, through a dramatic twist of fate, his life changed forever.

He was on his way to school when a tragic car accident left him confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

“I didn’t think I would ever get the chance to go hunting,” he said solemnly in his familiar soft-spoken voice.

Kokomo businessman Steve Griffey loves to hunt, too. But his love for the great outdoors is no match for his desire to involve children, especially disabled children, in the activity he cherishes. Spending time afield can be a life-changing, spiritual affair, and he knows it. Unfortunately, some children never get this experience due to physical challenges they may have been unfairly dealt. That was until several years back when Griffey and his dedicated group of volunteers created their annual Freedom Hunt.

The event affords children with special needs the chance to take part in a weekend-long deer hunt conducted on a sprawling Cass County farm, located northeast of Logansport. This year’s Freedom Hunt will take place Sept. 23-25, which not so incidentally, coincides with Indiana’s special youth-only deer hunting season.

Here’s how the event will unfold. This unique hunting opportunity is open to special needs children, age 17 and under. A parent or legal guardian must join them for the entire weekend. Each child will have his own personal guide while afield.

Children, parents and guides will convene on the Cass County farm on Friday afternoon. A cabin and military-style canvas tents, provided by the National Guard, will serve as the hunt’s headquarters. All food and hunting equipment will be provided.

For the next two days, these children will have the opportunity to enjoy our state’s special youth deer hunting season as they share a ground blind under the direct supervision of their caring and compassionate guides.

Children who may be interested in taking part in this opportunity must meet several criteria. First, they must be capable of shooting a 20-gauge shotgun, muzzle-loader or appropriate caliber rifle with minimal assistance. In addition, they must have a valid Indiana youth deer hunting license. Although attending a DNR Hunter Ed class prior to the event is encouraged, it is not mandatory.

“As you might expect, we are excited about this year’s event,” said Brad Rozzi, one of the hunt’s directors. “I believe we provide a unique and enriching experience for all those involved, including the volunteers.”

In case you are wondering about the cost of enrolling a child in this year’s Freedom Hunt, it comes with the paltry price of a sincere handshake and a “thank you.” That’s it!

To register a child for the upcoming event, or to receive additional details, contact Griffey at 765-459-0755.

Hoosier Outdoor Experience Returns

Over the past several years, there has been a dramatic increase in those taking part in our state’s myriad outdoor opportunities. If you would like to try your hand at more than 50 outdoor-related activities, you have the perfect chance and it’s totally free!

For the third year in a row, the Hoosier Outdoor Experience makes a return to Indianapolis’ Fort Harrison State Park. The program will take place Sept. 17-18.

Last year, more than 18,000 people attended the two-day program, an increase of about 5,000 over the inaugural event. Plenty of room for many more awaits in the park’s 1,700 acres of sprawling woods and wetlands.

“There will literally be something for everyone,” promises event organizers. Besides everything hunting, fishing and trapping, other activities will focus on cultural, equestrian and even off-roading.

“If you ever wanted to learn about basic fishing, fly fishing or even bow fishing, here’s your chance,” said Bill James, DNR fisheries chief. “This is without a doubt our state’s largest hands-on event,” he added.

The Hoosier Outdoor Experience, which runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, is presented by the DNR and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation. The overall goal is to introduce people to enjoyable outdoor activities they may never had a chance to try.

Hunter Education Program

Don’t forget about the upcoming DNR-certified Hunter Education class, sponsored by the Kokomo Parks and Recreation Department. The program will be held Sept. 17 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again Sept. 18 from noon to 4 p.m., taking place at the Kirkendall Nature Center located in Jackson Morrow Park, 4200 S. Park Rd.

The Hunter Ed. curriculum benefits anyone with an interest in our outdoors. To become certified as a graduate, students must attend the 10-hours of instruction and receive at minimum score of 70-percent correct on the 100-question final exam. Certification is good for life.

You can register by contacting the Parks Office during normal business hours at 765-456-7275.

Tournament Results

Members of the Kokomo Bass Anglers crossed off another tournament their summer schedule with an event held on Salamonie Reservoir. This time Wayne Eades was the top finisher with five fish sporting a total weight of 11 pounds, 2 ounces. Second place went to Ray Miller with four bass weighing 8 pounds, 5 ounces. Steve Price grabbed third with three fish topping out at 5 pounds, 9 ounces. A 3-pound, 5-ounce largemouth gave Ted Bowers the tourney’s “biggest fish” trophy.

Indiana’s Bass-N-Gals traveled to Mississinewa Reservoir for a club tournament. First place went to Gena Lyman after she carried four largemouth bass to the scales weighing 6 pounds, 10 ounces. Karen Welty finished second with four fish totaling 5 pounds, 2 ounces. She also received “big bass” honors with a fish weighing 1 pound, 15 ounces. Maggie Templeton finished third with one fish tipping the scales at 1 pound, 9 ounces.

Lake Shafer was the site of the recent tournament conducted by the Kokomo Seniors bass fishing group. After the weigh-in it was the team of Wayne Eades and Tony Long coming out on top with four largemouth bass totaling 7 pounds. Second place went to Bob Rose and Wayne Nolder with four fish weighing 6 pounds. Everette Lytle and Frank Brown took third with three fish dropping the scales at 5 pounds, 2 ounces. A largemouth bass tipping the scales at 4 pounds, 2 ounces gave Sam Taskey the tourney’s “big bass” honor.

Tribune Catches of the Week

Bryant’s Outdoor Store: Austin Chadwell hauled in a blue catfish from the Mississinewa River. The fish measured 30 inches in length, dropping the scales at 11 pounds. The young angler hooked his catch using cut bait. The Mississinewa River was also good to Ryan Vanover, while giving up a 6-pound channel cat stretching 2 feet in length. The fish was also hooked on cut bait.

U.S. 31 Bait and Tackle: “Pops” Ryan and Jason Martindale pulled in 27 crappies, keeping 16 for the table. The fish averaged 10 inches in length, with the two biggest stretching 12 inches. The fish were taken from Mississinewa reservoir on minnows.

• John Martino is the Tribune’s outdoors columnist. He may be reached by email at jmartinooutdoors@att.net.