Volunteers with Hands of a Sportsman coach participants through the first David Kiser Memorial Pheasant Hunt on Feb. 13 at Devil’s Rib Hunting Preserve.

Volunteers with Hands of a Sportsman coach participants through the first David Kiser Memorial Pheasant Hunt on Feb. 13 at Devil’s Rib Hunting Preserve.

POLKTON — A rainy and cold day did not stop the Hands of a Sportsman non-profit from raising over $17,000 during the first annual David Kiser Memorial Pheasant Hunt.

The event honored Kiser, an Anson resident, who lost his battle to cancer in April of 2020. Kiser loved the everything outdoors — hunting, fishing, grilling, you name it. This event brought his love of the outdoors to life by giving those who are disabled or less fortunate the chance to hunt.

Hands of a Sportsman volunteers helped those who are disabled shoot pheasants in the morning. They use adaptive equipment which makes it easier to aim and shoot. A young man who is blind, several wheelchair-bound individuals and a man who is a double amputee were all able to successfully participate in shooting.

Following the morning shoot, participants were treated to lunch and then listened in on the live auction. The live and silent auctions, along with donations, helped raise $17,661 in just the first year of the event. This money will go directly towards the 2nd Annual David Kiser Memorial Hunt, which is scheduled for Feb. 12, 2022, and contributing to the mission of the non-profit.

“The Hands of a Sportsman David Kiser Inaugural Pheasant Hunt was a huge success on many levels,” the non-profit said. “This even honoring David Kiser brought in $17,661 through local donations, silent and live auctions, despite the rain and cold temperatures. The Kiser family, along with Hands of a Sportsman and Devil’s Rib Hunting Preserve, would like to thank everyone involved in the making this event successful for the hunters.”