12/10/2025
Congratulations to this skillful hunter and the WMWR staff on this incredible accomplishment!
Mike Wharton just lived out a once-in-a-lifetime dream on his Oklahoma elk hunt… literally.
Oklahoma’s elk lottery is a true one-and-done draw. If you pull the tag, you can never draw again. Mike started applying at 18. After being paralyzed in a car wreck in 2004, he called to ask if he should keep applying and the answer was yes sir, keep putting in.
Fast forward to this year… at 54 years old, he finally drew that nearly impossible tag.
From the start, the hunt coordinator went out of his way to make sure Mike could fully participate. He let Mike drive in, park in accessible spots, and hunt from the truck. The first couple sits were full of deer and cow elk, but no bulls.
Then one evening, they moved into a new spot, within 30 minutes two bulls stepped out at 180 yards. Mike dropped the bigger bull clean. The emotions hit hard — and rightfully so.
Dan (the coordinator) made sure Mike was part of every single part of the hunt. Crossing rocky ground, getting to the bull, photos, gutting, loading — it was Mike’s hunt, start to finish. His wife came along too, making sure the cabin stay went smooth and helping wherever accessibility got tricky.
Absolutely awesome story. Huge congrats, Mike — perseverance pays off, and this is what accessible hunting is all about. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC)
Alt text: Mike Wharton poses in his wheelchair beside a large bull elk in rocky terrain, with Dan who helped make his once-in-a-lifetime Oklahoma elk hunt accessible.