November 20, 2015

Veteran Adventures Deer Camp set for Dec. 11-13

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill.  -- Student veterans from throughout Southern Illinois will gather for the second annual Veteran Adventures Deer Camp Dec. 11-13 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center. 

The archery white-tail deer hunt, taking place at the 3,100-acre camp located about eight miles south of Carbondale off Giant City Road, is open to any veteran who attends classes at SIU or any other college in the region. Guest speakers will discuss hunting, trapping, wildlife management, field-dressing and butchering, food preparation and other relevant topics and participants will enjoy a weekend of camaraderie and hunting. 


Media Advisory

Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the deer camp. The best time for good interviews, photographs and film footage is from 5 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 as the hunters are returning from the field and participating in a deer processing demonstration near Freeberg Dining Hall in Camp 2. For safety reasons, Touch of Nature will be closed to the public during the deer camp so any members of the media who wish to cover the event should call 618/453-1121 or email shanebrady6@siu.edu before 4:30 p.m. Dec. 11 to schedule a visit.


The cost of the Veteran Adventures Deer Camp is $100 and that covers all food, lodging, guides, gear, deer stands and anything else needed for the hunt. The deadline to register is Friday, Dec. 4. 

For more information, or to sign up, look online at www.veteranadventures.siu.edu or contact Shane Brady at 618/453-1121 or by email at shanebrady6@siu.edu

The archery hunting weekend is a collaborative event sponsored by SIU’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center and Veterans Services along with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.