Safari Club honors hunters

 LIMA - An accident five years ago left Bill Metzger on crutches, but it wasn't bad enough to make him miss a hunting trip in Canada. It did make him realize just how lucky he is.

 "The Northern Lights were just so beautiful. .... I stood there thinking how fortunate I was to be able to be there after what I went through,"  he said.

The experience led Metzger, of St. Marys, to start taking wheelchair-bound people out hunting with him. On Saturday, The Northwest Ohio Safari Club honored him for it.

"For those guys, it is just as thrilling for them to be out there hunting as it is for me to be in Alaska or Africa. These guys are so appreciative," he said.

Metzger, along with Page and Grace Mays, of Zanesfield, are the first recipients of the club's Outstanding Service Awards. About 200 hunters gathered Saturday for the club's 10th annual fundraising event at the UNOH Event Center. The club donates to a number of causes, including helping Young Shooters and 4-H groups.

Page and Grace Mays open their home and property each year for a Youth Hunt. Youth come with their fathers or grandfathers and spend two days hunting on the Mays' property. It is often their first hunting experience.

"They love it and we love it, too," Page Mays said. "It is really satisfying for us when they get their deer."

The club surprised Metzger and the Mayses with the award. They spend a lot of time on both projects and get little recognition for it, said club Vice President Gary Clymer.

You can comment on this story at www.limaohio.com.