So many of you here who are also on FB have probably seen my posts this weekend about this, but I wanted to share here for the others. This weekend which was also the KS early firearms doe season was also our annual QDMA youth hunt. This hunt is targeted to youth who either have no exposure to the outdoors and hunting or vary limited exposure. Youngsters with an interest but no avenue to get out there. I had the pleasure of guiding a very bright youg lady (13) named Taylor, who has a very strong interest in the outdoors but no one to help make it happen. Her grandmother signed her up for the hunt, and you could tell from the start that she was very excited about it. We started the day with breakfast and education from Tim Donges ( QDMA KS Bluestem chapter pres), he covered the importance of land / game management, conservation and ethics. Then we had a nice visit from the Butler county KDWP game warden. Tracy covered rules and regs, stressing the importance of blaze orange, proper tagging, etc. We then went through various scenarios on a shot simulator. After a few hours in the classroom, we headed out to Tims farm where everyone shot their weapons. A couple had brought guns but the others used loaners courtesy of Tim. Once we had everyone shooting bulls, we all enjoyed a very nice lunch of venison burgers, potatoe salad, beans, etc. We relaxed for a few and then it was time to hunt! We headed over to the property and met with the head forester / manager , who handed out maps to the guides and went over the lay of the land as we devised a plan. This guy had spreadsheets on deer activity at each location we would be hunting providing us with times, numbers, and sex of all deer activity over the prior two weeks We were hunting land that was left by its late owner to Kansas State University, it is used as a model and real life classroom for students in the wildlife biology and forestry programs. The property is otherwise primarily closed to hunting and ABUNDANT with ALL forms of wildlife! Finally, it was time to hit the woods, as we made our way out to our blinds the deer were EVERYWHERE! I saw MATURE bucks on their feet at 2:30-3:00 as we made our way in and I knew this was gonna be a productive evening. Taylor and I got dropped off and made our way towards our blind overlooking a food plot. We didn't get far before I notice the foodplot was already full of deer and turkey. We dropped down into a gully getting downwind and began to stalk up to the plot, keeping a large brush pile between us and the deer. You should have seen that smile, she was havin a ball! We were able to get to under 50yds of the deer but had no shot before the turkeys busted us and the plot cleared out..... We hustled into the blind and got all set up, got her gun loaded, a bottle of water handy, and handed her a bag of my homeade jerky to snack on. It didn't take long for the turkeys to come back in and we had a fun next hour and a half of watching 15 turkeys mill about at times literally sticking their heads in the blind to say hi! This girl just couldn't stop grinning! The birds finally moved out and our next visitor was a beautiful red coyote. He came in 3 different times and snatched apples that were accross the foodplot. He would come in cruise the plot once, snatch an apple, then run into the brush to eat it. On his 3rd apparance, I asked her if she wanted to shoot him, she said yes, ofcourse he didn't come out a 4th time. lol It was long after that the first gunshots began to ring out, and our first deer began to filter back into the plot. A botton buck at first, then another, and then I could see a string of deer headed our way. As the first mature doe got within range, I got her sticks moved and she got set. I told her to wait as the deer was quarterd to slightly. It didn't take long fro her to turn and I told Taylor to take her time and shoot when ready. BANG..... she dropped that ol nany right in her tracks!!! Taylor exclaimed " I did it! I really did it!! " to which I replied "you most certainlydid! Great job! " I checked her gun and unloaded as I fought back a bit of emotion (getting soft as I age). We took a minute for high fives and laughs, I am not sure I have ever seen a smile so big! Once we got all our gear packed we made our way over to claim her prize. I called in to report we had a deer down, then walked her through the tagging process. Once tagged I drug her out of the plot and taughtTaylor how to properly field dress. As we completed the task deer were coming in all around us and we sat and watched one of the most beautiful sunsets that I can remember as we awaited our pickup. We sat and talked, she thanked me repeatedly and I thanked her.... she talked about her family, and her love of the outdoors. She told me that until earlier that day, she had never before shot anything other than a bb gun (the girl is a crack shot -firstshot at the range she made a clean bullseye) I told her I was impressed, she told me she was hooked! Our ride arrived and we went to help track another deer, then went back to camp. There we weighed each deer, pulled jawbones, and teeth for aging. Took ALOT of pictures and enjoyed a nice hot bowl of chilli. The action packed day came to an end and everyone was smiling. Folks I take my kids hunting alot, and I love it, but I am here to tell you that this may very well be one of my most rewarding days spent outdoors ever. Find a child in your area, I implore you, take them hunting or fishing. You won't regret it!! Sorry for the long read, I just had to share. Gimme a few and I will post some pics...
That was a great read. Donating your time for such a good cause teaching kids in Kansas and adults from N Indiana to hunt. It is very noble what you are doing. So is this how we can expect Ty's hunt in KS to go as well?
Dude, that's awesome. Reading something like that makes me wonder who got the best from that hunt, you or her...definitely a warm and fuzzy in the feels reading that. And knowing that she had so much fun and learned so much at the same time is such a rewarding feeling I'm sure. Good for you and Taylor! Can she come back again next year?
Thanks, the purpose of this thread certainly isn't for atta boys though, I simply wanted to share an awesome experience and remind people just how easy it is to make a lasting impression on someone and how gratifying it is at the end of the day. IDK, I guess we will see if Ty can shoot as good as Taylor lol
TJ that is awesome! She will remember what you did for her for the rest of her life. If anyone is even considering doing what TJ talks about bringing a youth out hunting you need too. It is better than you can even imagine. Great job TJ
