Parking my truck off the side of a dirt two track road, the unmistakable smell of a wood fire tickled my nostrils. It was a pleasing smell, one that hung heavy in the evening air. It brought back pleasant memories of past camping and hunting trips.

Making my way to the camp site, the sounds of children giddy with excitement could be heard. The camp was situated on the banks of the Eel River on a rural Cass County farm. It was the start of the third annual Freedom Hunt.

In conjunction with Indiana’s youth deer hunting weekend, this was something special. Through the diligent efforts of Steve Griffey, Freedom Hunt is an opportunity for children with special needs to take part in a unique weekend.

Griffey and his throng of dedicated volunteers provide the perfect venue and expertise where these children spend a weekend camping and hunting. Each child was accompanied by his or her own personal guide.

Thanks to the Indiana National Guard, six barrack-style tents complete with military cots were erected providing comfortable lodging for the 50 people who took part in the weekend-long event. Mitzi White and crew made sure no one was hungry as they did a magnificent job with the task of keeping everyone well fed. And as you know, spending a weekend outdoors evokes the heartiest appetites even from those small in stature.

On the opening evening every child was presented with an assortment of hunting equipment which was theirs to keep. Camouflaged clothing, boots, backpacks and other tools of the trade were provided through the benevolent donations of area vendors and financial contributors. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” said first year guide Todd Cripe, who became involved with the Freedom Hunt as his way of giving something back. “It was amazing everything those kids took home.”

“I’ve been waiting for this for 364 days,” said second year hunter Anthony Correia. The 13 year old from Plainfield was one of several youngsters who would be hunting from a wheelchair. “This is just unbelievable,” said his grandfather Jerry O’Neill. “If it wasn’t for this he would never have this kind of opportunity.”

On opening day, hours before daylight, rustling could be heard from many of the tents where the kids slept. It wasn’t long before the campfire was stoked and a hearty breakfast of biscuits and gravy was served to the kids and their guides before making their way to pre-set ground blinds.

By mid-day, kids began to return to camp where details of their morning hunts were recanted to every one who would listen. News traveled fast that Brian Foust, age 13 had collected a deer. It wasn’t long before Brian and his guide Dan Douglass returned to camp with Brian’s doe in the back of an ATV. As Brian sat in his wheelchair relishing his accomplishment it was hard not to notice tears in the eyes of several of the adults.

“We watched the deer for almost 45 minutes,” explained Douglass. “It would disappear in the weeds then reappear. Each time it kept getting closer and closer”

Then Douglass noticed the deer standing just under 35 yards from their blind. “Brian, you have to shoot now!” he said. As Douglass maneuvered the sip-and-puff shooting aid, Brian made the final adjustment before puffing on the hose that would activate the trigger.

“I’m not sure who was more excited,” Douglass commented after retrieving Brian’s deer. “It made me feel incredible to be part of this,” he added.

As Cripe and his young hunter Mason Piel returned to camp they too recalled the day’s events. Although they did not see success that first morning, they still encountered a great hunt. “We saw a lot of birds and squirrels and whenever you can spend time in the woods with a child, there’s nothing better,” added Cripe.

There were also children who could have collected deer but could not pull the trigger. Hunter Braden watched three different deer walk within a scant 30 yards from their blind. “He just didn’t want to pull the trigger,” said his guide Ernie Hurst. “And that was just fine,” he added.

Every adult taking part in this year’s hunt know it’s in the woods where the real magic lies. The magic of watching the natural world come alive with the first hint of daylight. The magic of watching a child’s eyes light up when they see their first deer. They know the true reward of hunting is the intangible satisfaction of watching children respond positively to the natural world. These mentors seized the opportunity to make a positive difference in one child’s life.

This years Freedom Hunt is a prime example of good people doing good things. These children would not have this opportunity if it wasn’t for Steve Griffey and the group of dedicated sportsmen who believe in making a difference.

And, as Anthony Correia said before leaving, “It’s only 364 days until next year’s Freedom Hunt!”

Youth deer hunting season

Indiana’s youth deer hunting season took place last weekend. Now in its third year this special season is an opportunity for children age 15 and under to take part in the Hoosier deer hunting tradition. Children had to be accompanied by a non-hunting adult while in the field and could harvest only one antlerless deer.

Here are the results of area children who have taken antlerless deer to one of our area’s four state approved check-in stations.

Austin Acord — 65-pound doe; Korrie Waisner — 118-pound doe; Alex Mann — 40-pound doe; Brandon McClish — 60-pound button-buck; Brandon Arnett — 75-pound doe; Brock Newton — 100-pound doe; Brian Foust — 60-pound doe ; Cole Acord — 110-pound doe; Evan Jacobs — 75-pound, button-buck; Ryan Kuns — 120-pound doe; Jacob Steel — 135-pound doe; Wyant Conyers — 70-pound, button-buck; James Evans — 65-pound button buck; Wil Harris — 60-pound doe; Steve Wright — 60-pound doe; Evan Nelson — 110-pound doe; Conner Liecht — 90-pound doe; Cameron Zimmerman — 60-pound button-buck; Jared Louthain — 125-pound doe

Benefit bass tournament

The Kokomo Bass Anglers will conduct a tournament benefiting the 26th annual Jim “Moose” Carden Kids Fishing Clinic. The tourney will take place next Sunday on Mississinewa Reservoir. The contest will start at 7 a.m. and run through 3 p.m. Registrations begin at 5 a.m.

A portion of the proceeds will go toward the purchase of fishing and safety related items for the children who will take part in next summer’s Kids Fishing Clinic. The tournament will host an 80 percent payback to competing anglers with 20 percent earmarked for the kids Clinic.

Additional details can be obtained by calling Ted Bowers at (574) 699-7750.

Tournament results

• Kokomo Marine recently conducted its fall open team crappie tournament on Mississinewa Reservoir. After the weigh-in it was Sam Tracey and Chad Merritt taking top honors with a tournament imposed 10 fish limit sporting a total weight of 6.62 pounds. The tournament winners hooked their fish in 15 to 25 feet of water using jigs and minnows.

Kokomo Marine hosts its final crappie tournament of the season on Saturday. This event will take place on Salamonie Reservoir from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration takes place at the Dora Ramp.

• Participants finishing in the top of the field traveled to Brookville Reservoir for the Bullseye Sports end of the season Classic bass tournament. The team of Curt and Craig Reed finished on top with five largemouth bass sporting a total weight of 9.52 pounds. Second place and the tourney’s “big bass” honor went to Roby Ahnert and Jerry Pickett with three largemouth weighing just under six pounds. Their biggest tipped the scales at 2.73 pounds.

• Wayne Nolder and Bob Rose took the top spot at last Tuesday’s Delphi-Delco team bass tourney staged on Mississinewa Reservoir with three largemouth bass totaling 4 pounds, 14 ounces. Second place and the weekly event’s “big fish” award went to Jim Huffer and Mike Harrison with one largemouth topping the scales at 2 pounds, 7 ounces.

John Martino is the Tribune’s outdoors columnist. He may be reached by e-mail at teammartino5@cs.com