The Will To Hunt

Ryan Coontz, of Fayetteville, with a nice buck he shot from his wheelchair on the evening of Sept. 15. Part of Ryan’s leg was amputated just weeks before he killed the buck. Ryan’s story and desire to hunt should inspire all.

By Corey Glaze

The day of Aug. 1, 2015 started out as planned. I left the fire station to go load my equipment to work on our hunting property. My best friend, Ryan Coontz, of Fayetteville, and his wife were already on their way there and had arrived about the time my fiancee and myself had loaded up and were heading down. On our way my vehicle experienced mechanical problems, and I contacted Ryan, and he said he would go home and get his car dolly and be there as soon as he could. 

After arriving, we loaded the vehicle and were getting ready to leave. As we were making sure everything was secured, another vehicle left the roadway and struck our vehicles and us. Ryan and my fiancee suffered life threatening injuries. Ryan had suffered partial leg amputation on one side and multiple fractures on the other. Being least injured, I was able to stabilize both Ryan and my fiancee and had them flown to trauma centers in Atlanta. 

Ryan was placed on a ventilator, and it was decided that he would lose the lower leg. It had to be amputated above the knee. He was kept on a ventilator for a number of days. When they decided to finally bring him off and he had awakened, he did not remember anything that had happened as he began to come to an understanding that his  life had changed forever. 

He was able to start rehab quickly and was making amazing progress. He kept telling everyone he had to get home for opening weekend of bow season. With that determination, along with support from his family, he made it home and started practicing with his compound from his wheelchair. 

As opening morning came, Ryan and his wife were in the ground blind, They had seen a few deer but were unable to get a shot on them. 

On the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 15, his chance finally came. He was able to bag a Fayette County 8-point from a ground blind in his wheelchair with his compound bow. 

I wanted to share this amazing story to convey how inspirational he is to me as my best friend and fellow hunter. His will and determination to hunt has helped him get through such a difficult time and should show all of us that no matter what adversity we face, a positive attitude and hunting will get you through it.