Veterans Hunter being featured on Sportsman Channel

The Veteran Hunters organization is scheduled to be spotlighted on the Sportsman Channel show "Riflemen" on Apr. 12, and other shows are anticipated to air in 2022.

The episode of the popular show of 25-year-old Jordan Walsh features footage from wild turkey and ram hunts in the Whitecourt area last year, explains Veteran Hunters founder Todd Hisey.

"It was all filmed, and Jordan has put it together for an episode of the Rifleman, which right now I'm told will air on Apr. 12," says Hisey.

The Sportsman Channel liked what they saw and had been looking for more shows focused on veterans' hunting.

Hisey called it a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

"We talked back and forth, and we decided a Veterans Hunter TV show would be a good idea."

Several other hunts of the Veteran Hunters were filmed last fall and are expected to run as a stand-alone series in 2022.

It was originally slated to be released this year, but television production has been delayed, says Hisey.

When it does air, there will be five new episodes, and the first one with Walsh will be rebranded as the pilot.

Sponsorship provided by Steelhead Ventures Ltd., Tetranex Solutions Inc., and the Bass Pro Shops Cabela's Outdoor Fund helped to make it possible.

With additional sponsorships, further episodes may be produced.

"We've approached other national organizations for grants this year, so we'll see how that goes."

Additionally, having Jeff McClounie step forward as the sponsorship manager has been huge for the organization, says Hisey.

The Veteran Hunters recently released its first annual report. It includes statistics, several photographs, and some key testimonials from veterans participating in the hunts.

One is from Cody K, of Thunder Bay, who said, "At the Veteran Hunters, we’re removing nightmares and making memories."

"Wow, that's so impactful," says Hisey, "because for a lot of guys, that's exactly what we're doing."

"Whether they are successful in harvesting an animal really doesn't matter. It's the fact they are making a new memory that can help suppress and lessen the sting of some of the nightmarish thoughts that veterans can have because of some of the circumstances that we've been put in."