By Larry Myhre | Reprinted from the Sioux City Journal

When Trent Wright bought 35 acres of woods along the East Fork of the Des Moines River near Humboldt, Iowa, he envisioned a private hunting spot. Then he heard an ad for an organization which helped disabled veterans and, as they say, the light bulb went on. Now he envisioned a special place where disabled military veterans could realize their hunting dreams.

“I just decided there were those who deserve to hunt more than I do,” Trent says. But it wouldn’t be easy. The land was rugged. “It is pretty rough in there,” he continues. “We needed to build a trail which would be handicap accessible.” So, he and his friends, Alan Jensen of Livermore, Iowa and Aaron Kraft, Sioux City, went to work.

That was early last year and by that fall, they had their trail, 275 yards long and covered with rock and it led to an 8-foot by 10-foot, elevated “deer house” which is heated. There, disabled vets could hunt deer and turkey. “It’s more of a miniature cabin,” Trent says. They’ve also built another trail to get down to food plots Trent has planned. There, hunters could take a stand and the food plots pushed for pheasants.

Trent and his wife Wendy live in Morningside and Trent, also known as “the Asparagus Guy” is manufacturing and selling Tall Paul’s Pickled Asparagus, popular as a garnish for bloody Mary’s and other drinks. The recipe was developed by Trent’s father more than 40 years ago. Trent was raised near Humboldt, Iowa, and ran a catering business there until last year when he quit to sell pickled asparagus.

“Last year we had 17 days of activities out there,” Trent says. “We hunted pheasants and deer, shot trap and targets. Many landowners throughout Iowa have offered to let us hunt their land. We provide the opportunity for vets to hunt with guides and provide game processing.”

His organization Enabled Veterans Outdoors is a registered nonprofit corporation. Wounded vets interested in hunting can request permission by emailing Trent at: asparagusguy@cableone.net.

Organizations and businesses have also stepped forward to help. Pheasants Forever chapters in Humboldt, Webster, and Pocahontas counties have contributed money to the project as has Central Bank of Sioux City.

Now Trent is trying to get the word out to more vets and hopes others will step forward with contributions so he can continue to build Enabled Veterans Outdoors.