SALISBURY — The annual Anthony Barnes Disabled Deer Hunt provides a unique opportunity to those for whom hunting likely seems out of reach.

This year’s hunt took place on Sept. 7. Participants gathered at the Rowan County Wildlife Club after their morning excursions to share stories, break bread and remember the event’s namesake.

For Katie Haynes, who operates a nonprofit in Youngsville, the event afforded her first-ever bagged trophy prize.

“This is my first time doing a hunt like this and the first time I killed a deer,” Haynes said.

Haynes did not disclose her medical conditions but described her situation as having multiple chronic illnesses, which have confined her to a wheelchair for mobility.

“I have over 23 diagnoses,” Haynes said.

Despite her medical conditions, Haynes is determined to live her life to the fullest.

“I have been trying different things,” Haynes said. “I went to a wheelchair dance convention in California. It was fun. I went adaptive surfing this summer. Then, I did this.”

Haynes said she learned about the Anthony Barnes Disabled Deer Hunt through North Carolina Handicapped Sportsmen at the Dixie Deer Classic in Raleigh. The hunt is named after Anthony Barnes, a local young man who died eight years ago. It is organized by Hands of a Sportsman, a local organization that aims to put handicapped individuals into situations where they can have a true hunting experience.

Barnes’ sister, Nicole, and her husband, Randy Moose, were at the luncheon. In fact, Randy was the one who helped Haynes shoot the deer.

“My husband Randy helped get her on the deer,” Nicole said. “She pulled the trigger … Right when daylight started, there was one doe that walked out, and then there were seven more that walked out and a couple of bucks and a little fawn. She picked the biggest buck she could find out of the group of deer and shot it.”

This past hunt was the 8th annual installment of the event that honors Barnes’ legacy.

“It gets better every time,” Nicole said. “We are able to reminisce on (Anthony), and it gives my mom and I a chance to help in other places.”

Reminiscing about her brother, Nicole said Barnes was “awesome,” adding that “he was genuine” with a “giant, golden heart” and loved “hunting and racing.”

Nicole mentioned that her brother also wanted to be a preacher.

“Unfortunately, he got sick, and that did not happen,” Nicole said.

Barnes was born with spina bifida.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spina bifida is a condition that affects the spine and is usually apparent at birth. It can happen anywhere along the spine if the neural tube does not form properly or close all the way. The severity of spina bifida can range from mild to severe.

Randy’s mother, Tresa, added, “Throughout the years, he started having more problems … we were in and out of the hospital four or five times a year. He always had a smile on his face. Coming out of surgery, he had a smile on his face. He did not care how bad he hurt.”

Nicole indicated that Anthony lived by his favorite Bible verse, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

“Although he was wheelchair bound that never stopped him from doing anything,” Nicole said.

Barnes was 21 when he died and the family wasted no time in organizing the hunt.

“He passed away Jan. 13, and we started the first weekend in September that same year,” Nicole said.

Haynes said carrying on Barnes’ legacy was special and meant a lot to her.

The deer Haynes killed was a five-pointer, which refers to the number of points on the deer’s antlers.

Another hunter, Harleigh Kesler, is actually from Salisbury. Matt Combs guided Kesler on her hunt at his family’s property near Denton. Combs has been involved with Hands of a Sportsman for the past several years.

“Thanks to Hands of a Sportsman, we had track chairs,” Combs said. “We were able to put her into a track chair, and she could run her track chair about 500-600 yards to the deer stand, and that is how we get them out there.

Kesler said she was nervous about going hunting but that when she shot the deer, she was excited.

It might seem like traversing terrain and shooting a rifle with limited mobility would present too steep an obstacle for any would-be hunter. However, Hands of a Sportsman Founder David Hinceman explained that they have equipment that facilitates making these dreams come true.

“(The equipment we use is) made by Be Adaptive Equipment,” Hinceman said. “It is a special machine that holds the gun in a cradle. It has a vice on it. We put a computer screen on top of the scope so we can visually see what the crosshairs are seeing. It’s run by a battery, so if they are paralyzed from the neck down, they can literally move the gun with their chin.”

Hinceman said they have had hunters that were quadriplegic.

“We’ve had (some people who were) bedridden,” Hinceman said.

They have a couple of models depending on the hunter’s level of disability.

“We have one where you can suck on a straw that fires the gun,” Hinceman said. “The other model is a two-stage trigger. One button is the safety, and the other is to fire. They can push the button, but it won’t go off until the guide pushes the safety.

Hinceman did an outdoor TV show for 11 years, which is what he was doing when he stumbled upon disabled hunting.

“You have to have at least a year to two years of bank footage to produce 13 shows,” Hinceman said. “One of the first hunts we went on was a disabled hunt.”

“I went to that first hunt and was blown away. I thought in my mind, as a gift, I will produce one show to show what the community does to give back to somebody’s challenge. I did not realize the amount of people that just wanted what we wanted as hunters. They want that outdoor experience. They don’t want your help. They want an opportunity.”

So in 2016, Hinceman started Hands of a Sportsman.

Hands of a Sportsman does not just do deer hunts. They hold fishing events and also take people on hunts for turkey, among other game.

“The cool part about this is that it’s all done free of charge,” Hinceman said. “The food does not cost these people anything. We put 12 families in motel rooms for two nights and nothing comes out of their pocket. We fundraise all year long to make it possible.”

Barnes’ mother agreed, saying she is proud to partner with Hands of a Sportsman to carry on her late son’s memory.

“I talk about him every day,” Tresa said. “There is not a day that goes by that I don’t mention Anthony’s name. He was not only my son, he was my best friend. I wish he was still here, but the Lord needed to call him home and Anthony is smiling down on us today.

“The Hands of a Sportsman do a great job. We will be here next year, too.”