It's that time of year again when our Methodist Men Organization host a deer hunt for residents of the Methodist Home near Waco. All kinds of reasons kids end up there and our goal is to show them the kind of day they're unlikely to experience otherwise. The kids have to earn the trip through behavior and school marks and all have completed hunter education and show up with appropriate hunting licenses. The staff there is simply top notch!
We begin with a smoked brisket lunch at church, a safety briefing by our county game warden, and then out the door for an afternoon/evening hunt. We had the same "problem" this year as last; more landowners and guides than kids! What a great "problem" to have!
As last year, my son and I took one boy to our ranch for the afternoon. It's only our second year participating in the program and our guest last year scored a very nice large doe. Also like last year, our Meth Home resident, a boy of 12 with zero hunting experience, was "guided" by my 18-year old son. I hunted nearby and advised my son that any legal deer was fair game for our guest (we have antler restrictions in our county requiring a 13-inch inside spread). Some landowners restrict their guests to does only.
First thing is to get acquainted with a loaner rifle and see if your guest has any marksmanship skills. We've been lucky both last year and this that our boy could nail an 8-inch gong at 100 yards on our ranch range two out of three shots. Good to go - and we set up 100 yards from where the most likely shot may be.
My son may have potential as a professional guide. We were thrilled that our guest was able to take this fine buck. As is our customary practice we laid hands on this magnificent animal, gave thanks to our Creator for His creation and this fabulous gift, and our guest took part in the ritual. It was simply a great day.
We begin with a smoked brisket lunch at church, a safety briefing by our county game warden, and then out the door for an afternoon/evening hunt. We had the same "problem" this year as last; more landowners and guides than kids! What a great "problem" to have!
As last year, my son and I took one boy to our ranch for the afternoon. It's only our second year participating in the program and our guest last year scored a very nice large doe. Also like last year, our Meth Home resident, a boy of 12 with zero hunting experience, was "guided" by my 18-year old son. I hunted nearby and advised my son that any legal deer was fair game for our guest (we have antler restrictions in our county requiring a 13-inch inside spread). Some landowners restrict their guests to does only.
First thing is to get acquainted with a loaner rifle and see if your guest has any marksmanship skills. We've been lucky both last year and this that our boy could nail an 8-inch gong at 100 yards on our ranch range two out of three shots. Good to go - and we set up 100 yards from where the most likely shot may be.
My son may have potential as a professional guide. We were thrilled that our guest was able to take this fine buck. As is our customary practice we laid hands on this magnificent animal, gave thanks to our Creator for His creation and this fabulous gift, and our guest took part in the ritual. It was simply a great day.
