CONTACT INFO:

P.O. Box 908

Gore, Oklahoma 74435

Phone/Fax: 918-489-5027

Email: rbighorse@turningpointindiannation.org

LINKS:

Events Calendar

•   Equipment Needs: crossbows & accessories, remote control cars, sit-n-ski (youth and adult)
•   Fort Smith Boat Show- February
•   Lewis & Clark Outfitters: kayaking, remote control cars, archery, climbing wall - April
•   Crappie Trip on Arkansas River Camp - April 26
•   Doodle Socking Day - crappie spawn with long rods - May
•   Catfish "Noodling" - June/July
•   Dove Hunt, Webber Falls, OK - Sept 20
•   Fin-n-Feather Weekend Fundraiser - Sept 26-28
•   Kayaking & Bar B Q, Greenleaf Lake - Oct 18
•   Archery Season Hunt - October 
•   Christmas Dinner - Dec 13 

RANCE BIGHORSE

  Born March 13, 1964 in Pawnee, Oklahoma, I grew up in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and graduated from Tulsa Memorial High School in 1982. I attended Westark Community College in Ft. Smith, Arkansas on a baseball scholarship and met the woman I would fall in love with and marry. Graduating from Westark I continued playing baseball on scholarship at Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas. On August 3, 1985 I married my wife of 21 years, Linda.  After college I began a career with United Parcel Service where on June 12, 1990 my life changed forever.

   Just shy of five years of marriage I was involved in a work related accident that left me a T4 – T5 paraplegic. While in the hospital in Texas I thought my life was over, it was my stay in rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado that I realized that I would be able to continue my passion of hunting and fishing.  A friend introduced me to an organization that sponsored fishing tournaments across the country for the disabled. In 1996 I fished my first bass tournament since I had been hurt which gave me some focus on what I wanted to do.  Again, my life would be changed forever.

   I began fishing a bass trail and ventured out to other organizations where I was able to hunt. I became a Pro Staff Member for Night and Hale game calls where I was given the opportunity to again travel around the country. I was pursuing both of my passions with my wife right along beside me. During this time I met a man named Michael “Shorty” Powers and was introduced to his organization, Turning Point. Shorty asked me to be a member of the fishing team, Team Challenge, sponsored by Turning Point to help promote outdoor activities for the disabled.

   I have been fortunate enough to travel and meet many people in my situation and have learned from them all. I feel it is time to give back and re-introduce the outdoors to others with disabilities. My wife and I hope the Indian Nation Chapter of Turning Point will help us achieve this goal.

Turning Point-Indian Nation held its first event at Greenleaf State Park. The goal was for everyone, participants and volunteers to get familiar wiith each other and give an introduction to a few programs that they will be doing over the next few months. The day started by getting everyone into boats for an hour of fishing. Boat captain Doug Moore and participant Adam Kaney caught a nice crappie. Next everyone went to the archery area and shot a few arrows under the instruction ooof Steve Evans of the Oklahoma State Parks Department. Then everyone moved back down to the water for smoe kayaking which turned out to be the hit of the party.The day was finished by eating some grilled burgers and hot dogs and getting ideas for future events.

Many thanks to the participants and the volunteers and especially to our sponsors:
Ben E. Keith of Dallas, True Value of Gore, Frito Lay, Lewis & Clark Outfitters of Fayetteville, AR, Coca Cola and Platinum Distributors of Ft. Smith, AR.
The biggest thanks of all goes to Zebco which was instrumental in getting Turning Point-Indian Nation off the ground.