For those worried that local deer stand entrepreneur Skeeter Wilson would not make make a comeback from a work-related accident, worry no more.

His 100-day hospital stay ended on Aug. 6 and today, Wilson, barely five months removed from a 23-foot fall on April 26, which nearly killed him, is slowly recovering.

While working at International Phaper, he fell from a grating while inspecting some equipment.

And although he is now in a wheelchair, Wilson is vigorously attacking his rehabilitation and is beginning to take his first steps since the accident.

“I fully expect to achieve my goal of walking again by this Christmas,” he said smiling.

Nearly recovered from a coma and multiple breaks in his back, Wilson now oversees his deer stand business from his home.

But after being in a coma and pretty much losing some 40 days of his life, Wilson says it’s by the grace of God that he is alive today.

“There were a several times when they didn’t think I was going to make it. They called my family in, too. But God was with me, he kept me here for some reason,” Wilson said.

Another factor in his favor is that miraculously, despite landing head first, he escaped spinal cord injury.

“And I’m getting stronger every day. My therapy is also going real well. The other day I walked the platform with the steel rails on the side down and back without anyone helping me.”

Wilson also credits his physical fitness prior to the accident to his survival.

Wilson, who ran five miles a day and worked out regularly at a local fitness center, also said he hopes to be back in condition to participate in an annual February fun walk.

“I ran on the hill on Silver street all the time,” he said. “The doctors told me if I hadn’t been in the shape I was in, I might not have made it.” He also promised he would be back in the top of one of his stands one day.

Prayer also helped tremendously, he said. “I thank everybody for praying for me and hope they continue to do so. It’s been during times like these, that shows you how many people love and care about you.”

And for those who thought the deer stand business itself has suffered since Skeeter has been out of commission, that too, is a misconception.

“My son Kyle and my friends at the paper mill have helped so much during this time,” he said. “The business itself hasn’t missed a beat. We’re going strong right now.”

And with gun season kicking off this Saturday, Wilson fabrictor’s Inc. is cranking them out, as evidenced by workers welding in the shop behind Wilson’s home. The actual welders are all friends and family who have rallied around Wilson

“I’ve sold $2,000 worth sitting right here in this wheelchair today,” Wilson said.

The business has proved to be a productive one, not only for the Wilson family, but for perhaps for Natchez as a whole.

This time of year, Wilson estimated he is selling about a thousand stands a month at a average price of $200 per stand, with projected total sales of 4,000 units per season.

“But, that’s right now,” he added. “After deer season ends, you can’t give em’ away.”

Wilson filed a patent on his unique bolt-locking design in 1989. “It’s the safest device on the market to hook up a deer stand,” he boasted. “Once it’s locked in, it won’t move.” His business, Wilson fabricators, Inc. has been in operation for 14 years, selling various types of tripod and quadpod stands, as well as outdoor cookers and metal bins that attach to the rear of vehicles for hauling kill out of the woods.

Wilson pointed out that some regional competitors in the deer stand market have their stands built and shipped in from overseas, but not his product.

“That’s one of the good things about these,” he said. “They are made right here in Natchez by hometown labor.”