Kendrick hunter overcomes limited vision to return to the field

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.

But 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 they had built together could work. Now they had to take it hunting.

There was another step before Perrigo could head into the field. Idaho requires bear hunters to complete a mandatory bear identification exam, and Idaho Fish and Game officer George Fischer helped Perrigo complete the requirement. Fischer worked with Perrigo to make the identification process accessible despite his limited vision, adding another layer of support to the preparation that would eventually lead Perrigo back into the field.

In the canyon, the two watched and waited. Then a mature sow appeared. Austin watched the live feed from the TriggerCam as Perrigo settled into position. Together, they worked through the adjustments they had practiced countless times at the range. Then 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.

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.

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 animal, more demanding terrain 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.