Hunting with Heroe’s - Tony Dukes
I was blessed with the opportunity to spend the second half of my life in a wheel chair. You know what though it was just a chance to do something a little more challenging than the ordinary ho hum way of walking upright to do it. I ain’t kidding you at all. Every day is a challenge 
But I am a former Marine, life long hunter and quitting, giving up or just wallowing in self pity was not an option for me. It should not be for anyone as there is no limit to what the human spirit can endure and triumph over if just given the chance. The chance starts with letting people know they are loved and cared for and that there is no limit to what they can do.
While at the Archery Trade Association Show in Atlanta this year I met a truly remarkable man. Tony Dukes is the mans name and upon our first meeting I felt a real connection with the guy. Here is a man that for no selfish
reason spends every minute of every day looking out for the other person. His fellow man and woman that volunteered to go and fight for our country and to make the ultimate sacrifice for us if necessary is all that Tony Dukes is about. He wants and asks for no personal compensation but is only about working to get the Heroe’s that are home the recognition they deserve and the chance to help them heal from thier wounds. The wounds are never just physical in nature and it is those mental scars that are always the deepest. There is nothing more healing than time spent in the outdoors. Whether it is those silent hours on stand waiting for game or the drive to and from the field. But all of the hours available for observation of nature and those wonderful, beautiful sunrises and sunsets heals any pain and makes you very glad your alive and able to be there. Tony Dukes knows all of this and works diligently with people like Ted Nugent, Toby Keith and all of the outdoor suppliers and manufacturer’s for support. He does this so he might be able to take a Soldier, Ranger, or Marine hunting that has made the sacrifice of their freedom and health for us. He works to get them the wheel chair, hunting and adaptive equipment needed to get them outdoors and the chance to see that they can and will still enjoy what they did before they were wounded. Ted and Toby as well as other’s give Tony Dukes the resources and equipment to make it happen and the only bad thing is that he is just one man and there are far too many deserving Heroe’s that need to be recognized and shown how much we love and respect them.
Please get on the internet and search out Tony Dukes on google or whatever search engine you choose. Make a donation to his cause, our cause and let’s help all of the Heroe’s to get a chance at a beautiful sunrise or the chance to let a marvelous trophy buck walk or be harvested by them. Tony knows what we all should know and that is that these men and women need us and the chance to start a new with their new lives. Tony you can count on me to help in anyway I am needed by your efforts. Thanks for the time you spent telling me about the need and I feel guilty that I was not working on it already. Semper Fi
keep up the great work TD.
BigTime
Ton Dukes is an American hero, he loves his country and his fellow man. Is Doing anything with the WHA?
Great article Hack!
Them boys are legends and heros.
What a great show!
I will stand behind Tony Dukes any day!
Great guy and so are you Hack. I love your blog. I dont comment very often but i like to check up on your articles…
Keep it up buddy.
Semper Fi
Can you post information on how to help?
Thanks
Mark
Great article. This is the stuff i like to hear. The hunting community is on the rise. GOt to love ATA
ATA is awesome. Spoke to some guys that were at the show. Keep up the good work my man.
Tony Dukes is a true American Hero
when is the next hunt?
man thats one hell of a deer you got there…
All the legends are dying out man….
who is gonna step up and be real heroes like Dukes & Nuge from my generation?
I would also be interested to see how I can help those guys help a soldier…
let us know
Good read Hack and it was a pleasure meeting you at the ATA show.
You are getting the right message out and you are all that is good with hunting
Well done ole chap
http://video.worldhunt.com/view_video.php?viewkey=301b442654dd8c23b3fc
Cool read hack
tonys awesome let me know about helping a soldier
Hack
You should post some information on sending donations to their cause.
I think you will find that us hunters are some of the most loyal and patriotic people there are…
Semper Fi to those that know.
Ron
Hack,
you are the man, and only good things will follow… what a great story and excited to see eyou made it to ATA… were you at the SHOT SHOW?
gettin ready for bird huntin’ ?
Tony Dukes here, thank you all for the kind words, but the men and women who wear the uniform have given me a design for service and integrity as an American, I had the privilege of taking combat vets from all forms of service but Coast Guard (need one)on many hunts, watching our sport and the outdoors take aways the blemishes of war replacing them with a contagious healing that can only be found in the outdoors. Hack is a hero, a MARINE using his handicap as an asset, like most all that serve. I had the honor on coordinaitng hunts with vets/purple hearts on TV shows such as SCI, Ted Nugent (31 years best friend who I introduced to Toby Keith, another patriot par excellence) Double Bull, Campbell Outdoors, Keith Warren, Art of Deception. etc. I took over 50 warriors on great hunts and fishing trips, a win win deal, honors those that keep up safe and free while insuring our sport longivity. Freedom isn’t free, and you don’t have to carry an M-16 to serve. It is truly by giving that you recieve, what the pay off? PRICELESS. So cool you, the American sportsman recognize and support them as dooes many mfgrs in our industry, I salute you all.
All praise and glory to our God and the GI, the only two defining forces that have offered to die for you and me and asked nothing in return.
Tony Dukes/ contact TDHUNTS@aol.com
“home of the free/because of the brave” USMC purple heart SGT Eddie Ryan.
Hack,
If I say I’m not a sportsman, I hope you won’t ban me from sharing… First, I’d like to thank you for your service and your spirit. You are a fine example for our wounded heroes. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing with so many through your blog about Tony Dukes and his efforts to help our wounded regain their thirst for life. So often, it is easy to succumb - if even momentarily - to the devastation of injuries and the dramatic changes in daily life they bring with them. Tony gives these guys who have returned from war, an opportunity to strengthen their inner spirit and renew their will to survive.
It takes each of us doing our part to help these precious souls who have given so much to preserve our freedoms, I am in awe at Tony and the folks he brings in to create such a memorable moment in these heroes lives! I’d like to thank Tony and all those who take that step forward to give something back. At whatever level you are able to give, know that your generous donations go so much further than you may ever know.
Thank you Hack, Tony, and the many who help bring our heroes back to the wilderness!
Maria
Thank you; you’ve chosen to honor a very holy,
unassuming man. Both come through loud and
clear to me. Ken
Dukes shows up everywhere, from being the first white (GREAT) bassplayer at BB KIngs club year ago in Memphis to providing folks like Eagles to ZZ Top cool old instruments to this, I’ve also hear he works with D A R E kids and PCBA, but what got my attention years ago is his music talent, think the boy has won more blues awards than anyone in the state of Texas. Some guys produce some guys bullshit, Dukes does a good job of both with a pleasant resolve. Tony and Ted are a long time proven team.
Tony Dukes is a really American Hero who takes care of those who fight for our freedom each and every day.
Keep up the great work Tony and thank you for all you do
Tony, Ted, Toby,Dave,Smoo are all men I look up to as brothers who will fight for God, Country and kids. I have seen all of them in action and it is a fource to deal with. We will have a fund raiser this summer in Texas to help take more solider’s hunting. Hack keep up the good work.
Godspeed
Hondo
Home of the free/Because of the brave
Hey Hack, Nick Roden here from Easy-Eye Archery! Great Blog and it couldn’t be on a better man!! TD rocks by helping our great men & women who serve, and being just a good person. Our company has and will continue to support a guy like Tony Dukes and everything he is about and it’s great that people are starting to notice what he does. Tony could be on his death bed (has been) and he would give his last ounce of energy for our country and those who serve(he’s done it). God broke the mold when he made Tony, well maybe Tony did…but there are few like this guy. Keep up the good work TD and Keep doing what your doing Hack!!
Hey Hack, Nick Roden here from Easy-Eye Archery! Great Blog and it couldn’t be on a better man!! TD rocks by helping our great men & women who serve, and being just a good person. Our company has and will continue to support a guy like Tony Dukes and everything he is about and it’s great that people are starting to notice what he does. Tony could be on his death bed (has been) and he would give his last ounce of energy for our country and those who serve(he’s done it). God broke the mold when he made Tony, well maybe Tony did…but there are few like this guy. Keep up the good work TD and Keep doing what your doing Hack!!
Tony,
Your efforts are tireless, in spite of your health issues. We should all aspire to be Americans of you caliber! God has blessed you!! I love you, Bro!!! And God bless the Spirit of the Wild!!
Your Brother from another Mother!!
A well deserved commentary for a selfless American. A role model for most of us.
I’ve only known Tony for 30 years, but I think he’s the most tireless promoter for the betterment of his fellow man and injured vets I have ever met or imagined. Any contribution to his cause is well spent and comes back 10 times to you, and as unbelievale as his stories sound, especially the hunting tales, the darn things are NOT exagerated!! He’s one of those people , that even tough tales of his demise have been greatly told, he lands on his feet, when you think he’s done for! Keep it up for another 50 years! Bart
I have had the pleasure of becoming friends with Tony over the last year. Tony is the real deal. He is one of the few that walks the walk. All he has is given to make things better for others. If there is any way possible you can help Tony, in turn he will help others.
Tony thanks
I’ve had the honor of meeting and hanging out with Tony Dukes over the past several years. I don’t believe I know anyone more giving and self sacrificing. God has brought this man right where He wants him. He’s difficult to catch at home because he’s too busy out there giving his life away or jamming with Alan on his occassional weekends home. What a fantastic way to bring our boys back home and heal their spirits. I wish everyone of them could get this opportunity. Thanks, Hack!
Home of the Free Because of the Brave…I like that!
Great story Hack. I have known Tony Dukes for a few years now, and he is truely as inspiring as the vets he helps. I am proud to call him my friend. He honors those that have served and those that continue to serve. The Green Bay, WI FOP #2 is proud to be a sponsor of Tony’s great work. I challenge all LE and FOPs to support the cause! The healing power of the outdoors is good for all of us.
My Uncle Tony is the best, we go hunting and fihing
together.I also get to see him help soldiers.I’m eleven years old and I’m proud to be a part of his life.Thanks Tony.
I like to go fishing with Uncie Tony. I’m eight years old and I can catch more piggy perch and king fish than Tony.
Just kidding,Charles.
I have had the honer of guiding and hunting with Tony Dukes and he is truely a HERO. He is a true american with a heart of gold. TD if you ever need me you know how to reach me brother
Interesting comments..