Hunt for Purpose
Guiding Combat Veterans to Purpose Through Archery Elk Hunting
Hunt for Purpose is designed to guide post-9/11 combat veterans to a greater sense of clarity around their identity, values, potential, and purpose. For many post-9/11 combat veterans, purpose is found by rising to meet a meaningful challenge. Our newest alumni program, Hunt for Purpose, is an intensive, 6 month pursuit to plan, prepare for, and execute a successful archery elk hunt in Montana’s backcountry. Along the way, participants will learn the basics of elk hunting and backcountry survival, improve their physical fitness, and work alongside fellow Warriors and loved ones toward a common goal.
"Our first cohort of combat veterans and volunteers have been selected for the 2022 Hunt for Purpose program. Watch their journey through orientation, boot camp, and the hunt on our social media."
Applications will open in fall of 2022.
Finding Purpose through Hunting
Elk hunting is not the objective of the program; rather it is the mechanism we’ll use to help our participants achieve clarity of what they believe, who they are, what they can do, and what gives their life meaning. We’ll do this by interweaving a guided-discovery process around the areas of identity, values, potential, and purpose with the process of preparing for and conducting a week-long archery elk hunt. To do this, we’re joining forces with a long-time WQW partner, The COMMIT Foundation, who has developed time-tested, evidence-based methods to help veterans find clarity on what a having a thriving life means.
Program Details
Participation in this hunting experience consists of three 6-8-day trips to Montana, as well as virtual training and a fitness program to be completed throughout the year. Hunt for Purpose is free to participants, including travel to Montana, lodging, food, gear, and education. Participants should be ready to challenge themselves both physically and mentally, and grow and learn in a group environment.
Goals
Clarifying who you are, what you believe, what you can do, and what brings your life meaning through commitment to a challenging pursuit
Improving nutrition and physical fitness habits
Improving social well-being through connection and camaraderie
Applying the skills acquired in the program to the pursuit of other personal and professional goals in life
Planning, preparing for, and executing a successful archery elk hunt
Typical Hunt for Purpose Schedule
Participants will complete virtual learning throughout the year, as well as three separate trips to Montana in the spring, summer, and fall. Each program will be tailored to create the best hunting experience for the group. Here’s generally what participants can expect.
In spring, participants will make their first trip to Quiet Waters Ranch to meet their cohorts, collect and learn their equipment, and learn the fundamentals of archery and elk calling. Each day, participants will have designated time for reflection and personal development workshops.
In early summer, participants make their second trip to the ranch to train their bodies and minds for a successful hunt through physical fitness regimens, nutritional education, and spiritual exploration. Meanwhile, they’ll learn functional skills like elk hunting tactics, bear safety, backcountry resourcefulness, and wilderness medicine.
In fall comes the culmination of everything participants have learned over the year: a week-long archery elk hunt in the Montana backcountry. Here, participants will put their skills to the test and seek to harvest an elk, accompanied by veteran elk-hunting companions. If successful, harvested elk will be processed locally and a year's worth of perfect organic protein will be shipped to participants at their homes to enjoy.
Prior to the first trip, participants will complete virtual training through the University of Elk Hunting. Throughout the year, they’ll communicate virtually with their hunting companions to plan their hunt and obtain the necessary licenses and tags. In addition, participants will work through the MTNTOUGH Backcountry Hunter’s Fitness Program – a 9-month physical fitness regimen they will follow on their own to prepare for their hunt.
Participant FAQs
Yes, Quiet Waters Ranch is accessible for people with disabilities. We work to accommodate all disabilities to the fullest extent possible. Our staff, guides, and volunteers are well-versed at accommodating various types of disabilities and conditions (including those who are visually and audibly impaired) to ensure a positive and rewarding experience.
Please use the application link to apply for one of these programs. Historically, Warrior Alumni have been able to email our program team, and we ask that you use this application for all future programs.
Yes. WQW has a service dog acknowledgment and agreement that allows service dogs to go fishing with participants.
Yes! Everything from clothing to equipment is yours to keep. Our goal is to set you up with everything you need so you can continue to tap into your new skills independently without gear as a barrier.
No, you DO NOT have to be a Purple Heart recipient to qualify for our programs.
Although volunteers for the 2022 cohort of Hunt for Purpose have already been selected, there are lots of others ways to empower post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones to thrive. Get started by submitting a volunteer application. Once we receive your application, we’ll connect with you one-on-one to best match your interests and skills with a volunteer opportunity.
The five applicants were chosen based on their ability to clearly communicate the need they have for participating in this program and their ability and willingness to commit to the requirements of the program.
WQW has an active zero alcohol policy on all experiences.
Absolutely. WQW strives to build long-term relationships with our participants and we are always looking to have you return for more experiences or as a volunteer. However, Warriors who attend their first experience are not guaranteed an invitation to return for future programs.
Yes, there is wifi and cell phone service at the ranch so that participants can connect with their loved ones as needed while they’re away. However, the ranch is an ideal place to take a break from your devices and reconnect with yourself and your community. We highly recommend being fully present as much as possible for this one-of-a-kind experience.
WQW programs are at no cost to the participant including paid-for air travel to Montana, comfortable lodging and home-cooked meals, professional instruction, and gear for trip’s activities.
For this proof-of-concept run of Hunt for Purpose, WQW opened applications to WQW program alumni in January 2022. Five participants were selected for the first cohort of Hunt for Purpose. Applications will open again in late Autumn 2023 for the second cohort of this new program.
All applications and service documents are thoroughly reviewed for qualifying criteria by our Chief Program Officer and Program Director.
Our experiences are for post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones who are looking for a new way to connect, grow, explore purpose, and thrive.
While our application is open to all post-9/11 combat veterans, our selection process strives to select and place applicants with the greatest need. Even if all selection criteria are met, selection for our programs (first-time and Alumni programs) is solely at the discretion of Warriors & Quiet Waters. Requirements for selection include:
Must be a Post-9/11 Combat Veteran
Must provide a DD214 Member-4 copy and current photos
If active duty, current service record will be requested
If you are a caregiver, we require the above information on your care recipient
Must be committed to positive growth
Must be willing to engage in a supportive group environment
