MARTINO: Disabled children will have opportunity to hunt

Griffey heads up session set for Sept. 22-24 in Cass County

By JOHN MARTINO

The tradition of hunting is a much needed and celebrated event, something felt deep inside, something we try so hard to accurately define — a time when lifelong friendships are made and existing ones reinforced.

Spending time afield breeds respect, not only for our environment, but everything that lives within it. Unfortunately, some children will never experience this thrill and excitement due to physical limitations they may possess — that was until now.

A rare and unique opportunity is being planned for children who have disabling conditions — the chance to take part in a special deer hunting weekend. The inaugural event has been appropriately titled “Freedom Hunt 2006.”

The brain child of local businessman and avid hunter Steve Griffey, co-owner of Griffey Contracting in Kokomo, this special youth hunt is planned for Sept. 22-24. These dates coincide with our state’s first youth deer hunting weekend.

Griffey’s passion to involve children in our outdoor resources didn’t stop with his own two sons. “I’ve wanted to do something like this for a long time,” he said when discussing the details of the upcoming event. “I wanted to do my part in helping children, who may not normally have a chance to experience the thrill of hunting,” he added.

Through months of relentless work and his dedication to outdoor youth involvement, Griffey has secured several hundred acres of remote private property located in neighboring Cass County. This area teems with abundant wildlife and is where the hunt will take place. He’s also enlisted the help of conservation officers, outdoor writers and other knowledgeable and caring sportsmen and women who will serve as guides for this special group of children.

Here’s how the event will unfold. This special hunting opportunity is open to 10 physically challenged children ages 15 and under. A parent or legal guardian must join them for the entire weekend. All the children will have their very own guides who will accompany them during the hunt.

The children, parents and guides will convene on the Cass County farm beginning the afternoon of Sept. 22 where the group will stay for the weekend. A cabin, trailer and several comfortable campers will serve as the hunt’s headquarters. All food and hunting equipment will be provided.

These children will have the opportunity to take part in the special youth deer hunt on Saturday and Sunday as they share a ground blind under the supervision of their dedicated and compassionate guides.

Children interested in taking part in this unique opportunity must meet several criteria. First, they must be capable of holding and shooting a 20-gauge shotgun or muzzle loader with minimal assistance. All participants must also complete the mandatory Hunters Education program (more on that in a minute) and purchase a valid Indiana youth hunting license, at a cost of $7, prior to this year’s Freedom Hunt weekend.

Oh, and the cost for each child taking part in such an endeavor? It comes at the paltry price of a sincere “thank you” and perhaps a firm handshake. That’s it!

If you have a child or know of one who may be interested in taking part in the Freedom Hunt 2006, you can contact Steve Griffey at (765) 776-0659. You can also contact Griffey if you are interested in donating food or equipment to be used during this special weekend hunt.

Hunter Education class

With the upcoming hunting seasons just around the corner, it’s time to mark your calendars for the upcoming Indiana Department of Natural Resources Hunter Education class, sponsored by the Kokomo Parks and Recreation Department.

The two day event is offered at no cost and is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 16 and again from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 17. Class sessions will take place at the Kirkendall Outdoor Education Center, located in Jackson Morrow Park, 4200, S. Park Rd.

Students will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis as the Center will accommodate only 120 people comfortably. Over the past several years, this Park Department sponsored event has set state-wide attendance records. Registrations can be made by contacting Howard County Hunter Education Coordinator Denny Heaton (765) 883-5033.

Don’t think hunter education is just for kids, or hunters. Anyone with an interest in our outdoor resources can benefit from the wealth of useful information presented by Heaton and his well-trained, certified staff.

Although the course is open to everyone, it is especially suited for those above the age of 9 years old. An adult should accompany those children under the age of 14.

The Hunters Education program is substantial and consists of 10 hours of in-depth, classroom instruction. Some subject areas covered include hunter responsibility, ethics and wildlife conservation. Other topics include game care, survival and first aid. Heaton and his staff do a masterful job in presenting the importance of complete firearm safety. Students also learn about black powder firearms, archery equipment and safe tree stand use.

It is important to remember that becoming a graduate of Hunter Ed. is mandatory for anyone born after Dec. 31, 1986, before purchasing a valid Indiana hunting license. In addition, many western states and Canadian provinces require all non-resident hunters to have this certification, regardless of age.

To become certified as a graduate, each student must attend the 10 hours of class instruction and obtain at least 70 percent correct on the 100-question final exam. All graduates will receive a Hunter Education Certificate and card after successfully completing the course.

The basic intent of this outdoor oriented curriculum is to improve overall outdoor safety and knowledge while helping students develop an attitude of respect for our environment and wildlife resources.

Tournament results

Members taking part in the Bullseye Outdoors Team Tournament Trail recently came off a contest held on Mississinewa Reservoir. This time is was the team of Mike Weaver and Tim Haugen taking first place with eight bass totaling 16.25 pounds. Second place and the tourney’s “biggest fish” honor went to Hink Hinkle and John Raines with seven bass dropping the digital scales to 14.83 pounds. Their largest catch weighed in at 4.52 pounds. Rich Fye and Les Whitaker took third with eight fish sporting a combined weight of 14.78 pounds.

Lake Shafer was the site of a recent club tourney conducted by the Kokomo Senior Bass Anglers, where only 2 ounces separated the top two places. Five bass pushing the scales at 9 pounds, 11 ounces gave the team of Dave Pross and Bud Fields the top place finish. Second place went to Paul Crow and Bob Graham with four largemouth bass weighing 9 pounds, 7 ounces. Third place went to Joe Parent and Ray Huffman with four fish totaling 8 pounds, 2 ounces. Jack Harner and Gerald Miller had the tourney’s “biggest fish,” a smallmouth bass tipping the scales at 3 pounds, 4 ounces.

Paul Crow and Gerald Miller swept the Delphi-Delco team bass tourney held on Mississinewa Reservoir, taking first place and the weekly event’s “big bass” pot. The winners brought in four largemouth bass sporting a combined weight of 8 pounds, 9 ounces. Their biggest fish tipped the scales at 2 pounds, 12 ounces. Second were Ed Lyke and Reggie McClure with two fish weighing 3 pounds, 7 ounces. Jim Huffer and Mike Harrison took third with two largemouth weighing 3 pounds, 3 ounces.

Fishing was a little tougher this week during the weekly Kokomo Reservoir Wednesday evening open team bass tourney. This time it was Trent Johnson coming away with a first place finish with three bass weighing 6 pounds, 1 ounce. Dennis McKee came in second, bringing in three largemouth totaling 5 pounds, 3 ounces. Third place and the tourney’s “big fish” honor went to Craig Carter and Royce Cage with three fish weighing 5 pounds. Their biggest tipped the scales at 2 pounds, 14 ounces.

Tribune catches of the week

Bryant’s Outdoor Store: Jeff Vanover and Tom McKay caught and cleaned 48 bluegills with the largest stretching 11 inches in length after a recent outing on Nyona Lake. The area anglers encountered their good fortune using live bait.

Jack’s Tackle Center: It took two boys, Clayton Wylie and Cody Stipek, both age 11 to land a largemouth bass stretching nearly 20 inches long. The boys caught the nearly 5-pound fish from an area pond.

Malone’s Nyona Lake Bait and Tackle: Brian and Mitch Michael pulled in 48 bluegills and redears with the largest redear measuring just over 9 inches. The fish were taken from Nyona Lake on beemoth.

John Martino is the Tribune’s outdoors columnist. He may be reached through the sports department at (765) 454-8574.

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