As the sun sets over the rolling hills of Ohio, laughter fills the air and a campfire crackles, casting a warm glow on the faces of the heroes gathered around. It’s moments like these where the remoteness of nature, combined with the rapport of the company, create an environment of peace.
In the heart of rural Ohio, a group of dedicated individuals and veterans are leading an initiative to support those who have served their communities. Through outdoor adventures and shared experiences, they are working to bring connection and healing to military veterans and first responders.
Founded by U.S. Marine Corps veteran Justin Jones, American Hero Hunt is a nonprofit organization based in Hebron, Ohio. Their mission is to organize wilderness trips for veterans and first responders through hunting, fishing and camping excursions.
Jones, a 37-year-old native of Northwest Ohio, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps six days after graduating from high school. However, his military career was abruptly cut short due to a knee injury he sustained during recruit training in Parris Island. After rehabilitation failed, he was medically discharged in 2005.
Transitioning back to civilian life, Jones began a career as a mechanic, a profession he has continued for over fifteen years — but he missed the camaraderie he experienced in the service.
He established American Hero Hunt in 2016 and took his first two veterans out for an archery hunt in the fall of 2017. They hunted whitetail deer and waterfowl on Lake Erie, using funds from his own pocket.
“Being able to show my gratitude to veterans, first responders, and law enforcement for the things that they do day in and day out, and the things that they’ve done in the past,” Jones said, “that, for me, is the most rewarding part.”
What started as a small endeavor to take a few veterans and first responders on these trips each year grew into a flourishing organization with fifteen active board members, bringing around 70 veterans and first responders from several states on trips.
They have gone on whitetail and waterfowl hunts, pheasant and snow goose hunts, and fishing for crappie and walleyes.
Safety and sensitivity to participants’ needs, especially regarding firearms, remain at the forefront. Jones stressed the organization’s dedication to safety protocols and addresses questions about veterans finding relaxation in such activities that may have been sources of trauma during their service.
“At the end of the day, it’s not about hunting,” Jones said. “It’s about being able to have a release from their struggles.”
Part of that, Jones said, is outfitting trip goers with all the equipment they may need — including insulated clothing, boots and outdoor gear — so anyone can join the trip, even if they don’t have all the necessary equipment at home.
Erik Thacker is a recent hero from Columbus, Ohio, with a background in both law enforcement and military service. Thacker currently serves as a deputy sheriff in the patrol division and a rescue and recovery diver for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and is an active member of the United States Navy Reserve.
He said his whitetail hunt with American Hero Hunt was an “impactful experience.”
“A lot of people who sustain an injury think that they can’t hunt anymore,” Thacker said. “This is not the case. American Hero Hunt has so many different options to get these individuals back out doing what they love. From movable blinds that are wheelchair accessible, to tripod stands to hold the gun. Being able to give people the opportunity to do something they never thought they could do again is very healing in more ways than one.”
In addition to receiving support through individual donors, American Hero Hunt organizes an annual dinner fundraising banquet and a golf fundraiser in Newark. They began securing corporate sponsorships in 2024, offering advertising in exchange for sponsoring a hero trip.
Kevin Roe is a board member of the nonprofit from Galesburg, Michigan. He served in the Marine Corps infantry for four years — including one tour in Afghanistan — and he understands the challenges veterans face upon returning to civilian life.
“For me, the hunt was so much more than just a hunt,” Roe said. “Just being able to bond with a bunch of like-minded military and first responder brothers … It is hard to explain what that is like, but it is the closest thing I’ve felt to being back with my crew from the old Marine Corps days I’ve experienced since I’ve been out.”
“I have lost numerous friends of mine that I have served with to suicide after they have gotten out of the military,” he added. “I sometimes think to myself, maybe if they would have been able to go on one of these hunts with our organization, it may not have happened. So, I made a promise to myself that I would do everything I can to help everyone that has served, no matter what it takes.”
Other American Hero Hunt board members and representatives agreed with Roe, and said the sense of camaraderie can help veterans struggling with their mental health.
“It’s hard for men, you know? It’s hard for me, as a 37-year-old man, to cry,” explained Randy Bussart, the vice president of the organization. “So when we have these trips and everybody starts opening up, it’s really incredible to see.”
Jones finds immense satisfaction in witnessing the impact of these trips on participants.
“The number one thing that we strive to do is to give them an environment that makes them feel comfortable and allows them to deal with some of the things that they’ve got going on,” Jones said. “Whether it’s PTSD issues that they want to talk about, or they just want to have a release from their everyday lives.”
“There is something therapeutic about being outside, whether it’s camping, hiking, going on hunting trips,” he added. “I wanted to be able to give that to our heroes.”
Jones said there’s a constant need for volunteers and assistance, and said there are many ways individuals can contribute, whether it’s going on trips, offering culinary skills, attending meetings to provide business support, or assisting with practical tasks like cleaning and packing. He encourages anyone willing to help to reach out without hesitation. There are typically three to four volunteers and board members on hand for any given trip.
Jones envisions a future where American Hero Hunt has a nationwide presence, with multiple chapters spanning across different states. He aims for each chapter to operate individually as boards while contributing to the overarching mission of the organization. He hopes to one day transition to working for the nonprofit full-timet, so all of his energy can be spent giving back to heroes.
American Hero Hunt is a lifeline for those who have served and protected. In a world where the internal effects and traumas of service are often invisible and seeking support services is still stigmatized, this nonprofit provides more than just recreational activities. Their work not only honors the sacrifices made by veterans and first responders but also addresses the ongoing need for support long after their service ends.
“I signed the dotted line and went to serve my country,” Jones said. “And to me, all military and first responders are heroes.”
Skye Foley writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.