To Whom It May Concern: August 14, 1997
This letter is to acknowledge I would like to nominate Mr. John D. Rook for the Safari Club International's Special Hunters Award.
Mr. Rook is one of the most amazing individuals I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. What I'm about to relay to you is almost unbelievable but it is truth factual.
John Rook is a totally blind bowhunter. As a young man, John was an extremely avid traditional bowhunter and archer. From 1960 through 1963 he was in fact the Ohio State Barebow Champion. In June, 1967 he began having eye problems. On July 4, 1969 surgery was necessary to remove his left eye. This did not slow John's bowhunting much because he still had 20/20 vision in his right eye (right eye dominant?
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He had just returned home from bear hunting trips in Maine and Ontario in June of 1979, when he developed problems with his right eye. By the end of June '79 he became legally blind. Bt September 1981 he was totally blind and thought his world had come to an end not being able to hunt again.
In March 1982a good friend, Lenny Rock, convinced John to go along on a hunting trip to keep them company. Unknown to John, Lenny had asked John's wife, Barbara, to gather his bowhunting equipment together to take along with them. Attempting an experiment, with Lenny standing behind John, guiding his shoulders and aiming down his arm, John released and harvested his first game animal with his bow since becoming totally blind.
A new hunting world opened up to him because of his friend's idea. Dr. Jim Emerson developed a dependable and precise sighting system, which has since been up-graded and works wonderfully. The system enables the person behind John to align the bow and tell him when to shoot. They put their chin on his elbow and align the target. When everything is perfect a quiet signal is given and John releases the arrow. Good friend/ photographer Jerry Wansack and Lenny Rock can keep arrows in a tight grouping out to about 20 yards. Lenny and Jerry, among others, are John's hunting eyes. John has stated without them willing to give of their time, that can never be replaced, he would not be able to do what he has accomplished. He could never repay them for their time, energy and friendships. His only means of payment is to thank them from the bottom of his heart for their friendship and concern.
Since becoming totally blind, John has harvested approximately thirty (30) big game animals with his bow including nine whitetails; five bear; pronghorn antelope, mule deer, mountain lion and many others. His dream is to someday go to Africa.
Unselfishly, John gives back to the sport of hunting. He gives demonstrations to handicapped children, teaching them "what they CAN do.. not what they can't do." He also teaches bowhunter education and is chairman of the Conservation Committee for the Professional Bowhunters Society, a national organization. He is also a Regular member of PBS and the Pope and Young Club. It is also noteworthy that John builds his own bows and hunting equipment. John hopes that by trying and accomplishing things that he gives encouragement for others.
According to John, the kill is not the most important thing in hunting. Fair chase rules always apply and prevail. He says, " I get my independence from the dependency of other people." The only way he can hunt is by being dependent on wonderful people like Jerry Wansack, Lenny Rock and many others. It is the unselfishness of these people and the rest of his family, friends and acquaintances that mean so much to him and is so beautiful.
As Rick Henninger wrote about him, "John was an exceptionally great archer. His bowhunting skills were acknowledged by most who took part in the archery events. In darkness, John's skills could have been shelved. John still is an avid bowhunter with the same exceptional skills, only minus one sense, making him not only exceptional.. but phenomenal."
The real story is quite simple... John Rook, who obeys all hunting laws and regulations, who wishes to preserve and promote hunting, who is a kind, gentle person and who has been totally blind for more than a decade, is an ethical, conscientious, honest and diligent hunter who wants to preserve and promote the sport for future generations. I can not think of a better candidate for SCI's Special Hunter Award. Thank you.
Respectfully submitted,
Barry Wensel
Topic: Speaking of John Rook.... pics added starting page 1 (Read 3630 times)
