December 20th - 21st, 2019
Location: Nebrado Farms, Holyoke, CO
Hosted By: River Deep Foundation and SCI Humanitarian Outreach Program
Participants: Operation TBI Freedom & Ft. Carson Warrior Transition Battalion

The River Deep Alliance, along with Safari Club International Humanitarian Outreach program (SCIHOP) and members of Quality of life + (QL+), managed to sneak in a pre-holiday hunting weekend this December. Eight service members representing two branches of the military, Operation TBI, and the Fort Carson Warrior Transition Battalion, were able to participate in two days of upland game hunting. The team was supported by local landowners coordinated through Alan Strong of Nebrado Farms in Holyoke, Colorado. Alan’s team consisted of other local farmers familiar with the land and hunting techniques for the Holyoke area. The first day started at noon where the team saw a very healthy and extremely stealthy population of pheasants and quail. While the wild birds presented a staunch challenge, the team managed to harvest a few birds. Alan’s seasoned team of Labrador Retrievers supplemented with a German Short-haired Pointer proved valuable in finding the downed birds. 

The first night ended with an amazing dinner at one of the best BBQ restaurants in all of Colorado, Happy Jacks. The team and local farmers had the opportunity to go over the day’s success, trade stories about hunting, and reconnect with each other and the community through past military experiences. The team created and reinforced bonds by breaking bread and sharing laughs thanks to the extremely generous hosts. 

Day two proved to be rewarding as the teams awoke to beautiful weather and more early morning opportunities to participate in ethical conservation of upland game. The entire weekend was filled with fun and enthusiasm for creating an event that supports the wounded veteran community.
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The success of the hunt can be measured by the amount of birds the team harvested. However, this is not the case. The success of the weekend can be seen in the building up of each other, the support of the community, and the profound positive impact on so many people that the event provided. It’s weekends like this that reinforces the new and current mission of supporting America’s wounded veteran community. From the team and everyone involved, we thank you for everything you do.

Scott Huyvaert 
Rocky Mountain Region
Program Manager, Quality of Life +

Bob Adwar
River Deep Alliance, President
SCI HOP, VP/Humanitarian Chairman