For Tom Perrigo of Kendrick, Idaho, the moment he had spent weeks preparing for had finally arrived. The rifle was ready, and Luke Austin was watching the live image from the scope. Perrigo has only 1–2% of his vision remaining because of retinitis pigmentosa, so returning to rifle hunting meant finding a way to bridge the gap between what he could see and what was happening downrange. That bridge was built with technology—and trust.
Austin, a retired Army drill sergeant from Deary, Idaho, became Perrigo’s partner in the effort. Together, they spent weeks at the range learning how to make the system work under pressure. A TriggerCam mounted to Perrigo’s rifle scope transmitted a live image to a tablet, allowing Austin to see what the scope was seeing and communicate adjustments to Perrigo.
The equipment was only the beginning. They practiced shooting positions, rifle adjustments and the precise language they would use in the field. Austin learned how to describe what he was seeing, while Perrigo learned to make small corrections based on Austin’s instructions. Over time, the commands became familiar, and so did the trust.
Then came the steel target. Perrigo settled behind the rifle as Austin watched the image from the scope and talked him through the final adjustment. Perrigo squeezed the trigger. Ding. The sound carried across the range, followed by a smile from Perrigo. It was only a steel target, but it confirmed that the system could work. Now they had to take it hunting.
Before Perrigo could head into the field, hunting with the modified equipment required a reasonable modification for special weapon seasons, which meant picking up an application at an Idaho Fish and Game regional office and obtaining a doctor’s certification documenting his qualifying condition. Perrigo also had to complete Idaho’s mandatory bear identification exam. Fish and Game officer George Fischer helped him through the process, working with Perrigo to make the identification portion accessible despite his limited vision. With the paperwork completed and the exam behind him, Perrigo was ready to put weeks of preparation to the test.
The opportunity came in a canyon where Perrigo and Austin settled in and began watching for a bear. After sitting for a short while, a mature sow slowly walked into view.
Austin watched the live feed from the TriggerCam as Perrigo settled into position. With only a few minor adjustments, they worked through the system they had practiced countless times at the range.
Austin gave Perrigo the words he had been waiting to hear: “The crosshairs are on the bear.”
Perrigo pulled the trigger. The sow went down quickly, traveling only a short distance before expiring.
Later, Perrigo described the experience as unlike anything he had felt before. “It was the weirdest feeling that I’ve ever had,” he said. “You’re sitting there pulling the trigger on a gun, and you’re hoping whoever’s directing you directed you right and things come together.” They did.
Following the hunt, Perrigo had another important part of the process to complete. Successful hunters who harvest a black bear, mountain lion or gray wolf must report the harvest within 10 days. Hunters must present the skull and a portion of the hide with evidence of sex naturally attached to an Idaho Fish and Game regional office or conservation officer and complete the required Big Game Mortality Report. Unsuccessful hunters are not required to report. Perrigo checked in the bear and then processed the meat, portioning it for the freezer and making the most of what the hunt provided.
For Perrigo, the harvest represented more than filling a tag. Retinitis pigmentosa had changed how he experienced the outdoors, but it had not taken away his desire to hunt. With Austin beside him, and with support from others along the way, he had found a way back to the field—not by overcoming his vision loss, but by building a new way to hunt around it.
Now, the two are looking toward elk season. A bull would be the dream, but a cow would be a good place to start. The challenge will be greater, with a larger herd animal and a system that will have to adapt. But they already know how to practice, communicate and trust each other when the moment arrives.
For most hunters, seeing the target is the first step. For Perrigo, getting back into the field required technology, preparation, patience and people willing to help him see what he could not.
In the canyon that day, Austin saw the bear through the scope.
Perrigo heard the words: “The crosshairs are on the bear.”
And he took it from there.