About Us

Fins and Feathers network of charter guides offers veterans and their families opportunities to participate in seasonal duck hunts or charter fishing trips free of charge.

As an expression of gratitude to members of the armed forces (Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard) Fins and Feathers Foundation offers them, their families and friends an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors fishing and hunting.

A strong society needs strong men and women.  Returning home from service presents many challenges for servicemen and women. The pressures of civilian life and finding new ways to support themselves or a family can make vacations an out-of-reach goal. Fins and Feathers Foundation hopes to give our servicemen and women a respite from their everyday life and a chance to learn and enjoy a new sport in the breathtaking scenery of the Michigan landscape.

According to U.S. Veterans Magazine, two common struggles veterans have are difficulty in reconnecting with family members and adjusting to the civilian pace of life. Fins and Feathers hopes these forays into hunting or fishing provides a way to reconnect with family members and engage with grateful civilians in a fun and collaborative activity. Research has shown the pressures of the combat environment are countered by the sensory stimulation of the new environments, especially the outdoors.

The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy notes, “The calming effect of nature can provide mental health improvements as well as physical improvement that can benefit veterans by easing the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) along with depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).” Research even suggests that hunting and nature-based activities are useful to help soldiers transition their skills into activities that can develop new social groups that can assist with the transition to civilian life.

Above all, Fins and Feathers hopes to show gratitude to military families for the sacrifice they all made to keep America the land of the free and home of the brave.