Q1. Will the "adventure recipient" have to pay for the dream trip of a lifetime?
NO! The generosity of our Members, Sponsors, and Donors pays the costs of the adventure.
Q2. Can my parents, guardian, caretaker, or friend come along and help me on my adventure?
Generally YES. Having a trusted person along on an adventure helps make a better hunt for all involved. On the other hand, having extra people along can add significant extra costs to the event, so there may be some reasonable restraints upon the number of additional people attending the adventure.
Q3. How do I travel to my dream wish adventure?
Most of the time, USSA is able to help 1. Finance or 2. Subsidize your travel expenses to and from the field; thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and members. If you and your attendant are driving to the event, you can directions to the site using our USSA
"Map-Quest Feature" on the home page of our USSA website. Note: If you are able to help with your own travel expenses to and from the field, it helps free-up financial resources, which intern allow additional wishes to be granted!
Q4. Where do I stay when I get there?
Many outfitters and preserve owners have their own lodges or cabins, where you are welcome to stay. Other USSA events will have area motels for your evenings rest. Still other events will have a camping option, which you may choose!
NOTE: Please let us know if there is any wheelchair or other accessibility issues for your accommodations.
Q5. What are the eating arrangements at USSA events?
Food is usually provided by the event sponsor. Many operations have their own kitchen. Other events have community volunteers providing food for the recipient and their attendant/s, or food may be catered in as well.
Note: Please alert USSA to any known food allergies or diet restrictions; so that appropriate food arrangements can be made.
Q6. What sort of special GEAR do I need to bring along?
Usually NONE! The trip donor usually has a high quality, functional firearm, bow or fishing rod for you to use. You are always welcome to use your own favorite rod, firearm or bow if you so desire.
Q7. What kind of weather should we pack for?
We recommend you use our
"Accru-Weather" feature on our USSA home page. By simply entering the event site ZIPCODE [which we can provide you] you will get a good idea of what sort of weather to expect and pack for!
Every person has a different temperature comfort range, and recommend you pack accordingly. We also believe it is important to be prepared to face temps that may be as much as 10 degrees warmer and colder than predicted. Some events may require some blaze orange or camo clothing, which you're welcome to bring if you have it. Many of our donors often have on hand as extras.
Q8. If I'm fortunate enough to harvest some fish or game, can we take it home and eat it?
Generally yes! Most outfitters and preserve owners have facilities to clean your game. Often times, area meat processors will also donate their expert services. In group events, community volunteers help clean your game as well. There are USSA events where "catch and release" Fish Conservation is practiced, so the fish are normally released after they are caught.
Q9. What happens if I get a trophy fish or game animal?
USSA is fortunate to have the generous support of taxidermists nationwide. These fine people donate their time and resources to make a permanent, visual reminder of their dream wish adventure; FREE of charge. In addition, replicas of trophies taken during catch and release fishing are also available.
Q10. If I've been on another dream wish event from another wish granting charity, am I still eligible to attend a USSA event? Can I attend more than one USSA event?
Yes, you can attend a USSA event if you have been granted a wish from another charity. But, unless you have a life threatening illness we can not answer your request until we have an available opening. We answer wishes for children and adults with life threatening illnesses first, than children and adults with disabilities second, and than if we have excess amounts of donations we grant them to the ones who previously gone on a USSA or other charity event.
Q11. Is there an age limit to getting a wish granted?
No! We have granted wishes to children as young as one year old and as old as in their 70's.
Q12. Do ALL disabilities and/or illness qualify for dream wish eligibility?
Yes! We follow the
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT 1990 guidelines; United Special Sportsmen Alliance prohibits discrimination against disabled people and guarantees equality of opportunity for people with disability as well as terminally ill for hunting and or fishing adventures.
Q13. Are disabled servicemen and women eligible for a trip?
Yes! We have a special wish granting program just for disabled servicemen and women.
Q14. On average, how long does it usually take to get my dream wish granted from the "time of application"?
This is a tricky question and depends on several issues;
a) Is the Recipient disabled or have a life threatening illness.
b) Is it a seasonal wish? For example hunting would depend upon the hunting season for the state the wish is granted in.
Q15. My child has never gone hunting of fishing, and as a parent I have never done it either. What steps do we take to prepare and become eligible for USSA dream wish events?
We strongly believe in hunter's safety, and if your child is willing to take a class in your local area we will help you get it set up. If your child has a life threatening illness or disable to the point they can leave home to take hunters safety course we can take them to a shooting preserve. We also work with the Department of Natural Resources and the NWTF in a "learn To Hunt Program" where hunting licenses are NOT required. We also have a mentoring program for children whose parents aren't interested or unable to participate.