NILES – Local taxidermist and hunting guide Paul Ranft hopes to give local veterans the opportunity to go on two free hunting and fishing trips in the future.

The former host of the Outdoor Channel’s “Factory to Field” show and a veteran himself, Ranft said he brings veterans to his Iowa property, which he said is ideal for turkey hunting. He also has a connection with Walleyes for Wounded Heroes, a nonprofit that brings veterans across the country to Port Clinton, Ohio to fish walleye on Lake Erie.

“My biggest kick in this whole thing is that I want to get some of our local guys there,” he said. “That’s why we’re doing this.”

His free turkey hunting opportunities take place in the fall and spring in western Iowa’s Loess Hills, an area made by wind-blown soil. Ranft said the area’s ground makes it ideal for wildlife to inhabit — it holds some of the last prairie grass in the area.

Despite the hilly terrain, the Iowa property has wheelchair-accessible trails.

“It’s really conducive for veterans that are wheelchair-bound,” he said. “This property that I have has like 160 miles of trails all through it.”

Like Ranft’s future turkey hunting venture, the Walleyes for Wounded heroes fishing trip is meant to be accessible and enjoyable for all veterans. Ranft said both he and Walleyes for Wounded Heroes are well aware of the mental and physical limitations veterans face. Ranft served in the 82nd airborne division of the Army, which specializes in quick-time parachute assault.

“That’s why it’s near and dear to my heart to take other veterans that can’t afford it and can’t physically go to some of these places,” he said.

The Walleyes for Wounded Heroes fishing trip runs from Wednesday, June 19 to Sunday, June 23. After prospective attendees fill out an application on the organization’s site, Walleyes for Wounded Heroes will review the application and determine whether the veteran meets its criteria: that the applicant either received a Purple Heart or was a first responder injured in the line of duty.

All expenses are paid for. Attendees can travel on their own to lodging in Port Clinton, Ohio, or they can travel to pickup points across the country and travel free from them.

Ranft, who provides his fishing boat for the event, said that the trip extends past just fishing.  The city, the self-proclaimed “Walleye Capital of the World,” has a Saturday celebration of all the veterans who attend the event. Ranft said performances were put on in the past, like parachutists.

Ranft said the event went from having 10 boats and about 20 veterans a few years ago to hosting 55 boats and an expected 200 veterans this year.

While Ranft has not yet planned the exact dates for his future turkey hunting excursion, he said he has received support from local businesses and has six to seven vendors interested in helping. His goal is to bring four to five veterans to the inaugural event, who would be supported by four to five guides.

“To me, it’s just vets helping vets,” he said.