In the scorching heat of Zimbabwe, Africa, Barry Sones, of Clarkstown, pulled back his bow and took a 17-yard shot at a Cape buffalo, a dangerous animal to be that close to at any time.
Sones has been to Africa four times. In 2008, he took a tuskless elephant, again with a bow at 26 yards. He added the Cape buffalo in 2011.
Hunters and outdoorsmen can get an up-close look at hunting in Africa, as well as Alaska, when Sones gives a presentation at 1 p.m. Jan. 26 at Moreland Community Church, Muncy. The goal of the presentation is to raise funds for the PA Wounded Warriors.
The presentation includes a game-animal meal of venison and wild hog, which Sones also is providing.
During the event, Sones will present a slideshow of the many places where he has hunted animals with a bow. He will talk about his experiences, various species of game and the people he has met.
"I am what I consider a low-budget hunter. I am not wealthy by any means and I work real hard so I can do what I do," he said.
A silent auction will feature various items including a bow package from Hoyt and a carving donated by local artist Steve Shaner.
Seating is limited and reservations may be made by calling 419-4749.
Sones said he chose the PA Wounded Warriors to receive the funds, not because he was in the military, but because he has relatives who have been and also because he knows what it's like to recover from traumatic injuries.
Four-and-a-half years ago, he was on his way to Black Eagle Bowmen in Lamar, riding his motorcycle and with his bow strapped on his back when a car pulled out directly in front of him.
He suffered a crushed pelvis, broken ribs, damaged kidneys and broken bones in his head.
"I spent a month and five days in Geisinger (Medical Center). The first six days, they told my family it was impossible that I (could) live," he said.
He recovered, not to 100 percent but well enough, he said.
It wasn't long before Sones was back in the woods, hunting again.
"I got out Sept. 1 and hunted deer that year with the same bow that was on my back," he said.
He loves archery and has been hunting only that way for 30 years.
"It's more of a challenge. You have to get close and learn the animals, the baits and what it takes (to harvest one)," he said.
"There are some (veterans) coming back home that are not that fortunate, and PA Wounded Warriors does help to take them hunting and on trips," he said.
Those involved with the organization are 100-percent volunteers, Sones added.
Another way Sones is raising money for the group is by accepting sponsorships for his plan of riding his bicycle across the country.
On Feb. 28, Sones will fly from Montoursville to Los Angeles to touch the Pacific Ocean on his Hoyt camo-framed bicycle and then will ride east through California to Florida.
"That bicycle has been from Florida to Alaska to Newfoundland and a lot of places in between," he said "Crossing the country on my bicycle is one of ... (the things) on my bucket list."
Along the way, he will hunt in five states - wild hogs in California and Florida; javelina in Texas; and turkeys in Mississippi and Alabama.
Sones also hunts while using his bike as a vehicle.
"I do a lot of hunting off a bicycle. You can't imagine how close you can get to an animal on a bicycle," he said.
On March 27, Sones will celebrate his 50th birthday with his girlfriend April Marquet and daughters Katrina and Kari, who will meet him in Louisiana.
Sones hopes to raise more than $5,000 for the PA Wounded Warriors.
