On November 8th, Hometown Hero Outdoors brought together two teams of U.S. military veterans for a pheasant hunt at Milford Hills Hunt Club, creating more than just a successful day in the field—it created a meaningful opportunity for healing, camaraderie, and reset through time outdoors.
Participants
The hunt featured the following veterans:
- Carrie Zylka
- Ervin Czechan
- Jacob Spinhirne
- Jerome Holt
- Nick Pergande
- Robert Letvinchuck
Our volunteer guides were:
- Julie Balzum, who traveled from North Dakota to support the mission
- Tim, a professional guide from Milford Hills
A Day Built for Connection
The weather created perfect hunting conditions as well-trained dogs located and retrieved pheasants throughout the day. What truly made the experience impactful, however, weren’t the shots taken or the birds harvested—it was the stories shared between veterans, the chance to decompress, and the ability to find peace through nature and community.
A Community Effort
We extend a heartfelt thank-you to Milford Hills Hunt Club for hosting and providing exceptional facilities. Additionally, we’re grateful to Jefferson County Pheasants Forever for offering a warm and welcoming post-hunt breakfast that brought everyone together in fellowship at the end of the day.
Outdoor Adventure as Mental Reset
While this may appear to be a simple pheasant hunt from the outside, for many it was a much-needed moment to breathe, reset, and reconnect. These small-group outdoor experiences are part of how Hometown Hero Outdoors fulfills its mission of serving those who have served, showing that healing happens outside—and no one heals alone.
