By John Martino
Outdoors columnist
—
Steve Griffey used to have a late summer ritual. He’d dust off his bow and begin practicing in preparation for the upcoming deer season. Remember, I said “used to.”
The Kokomo businessman now immerses himself in another ritual, preparing for the annual Freedom Hunt, where special-needs children have the opportunity to take a unique part in Indiana’s youth deer hunting season.
For the fifth straight year, a local farm in Cass County was transformed into a massive camp. Barrack-style tents were set up by the Indiana National Guard and an army of guides, cooks, first responders and other volunteers made sure the weekend-long outing would be one to remember.
Each year, the number of participants has grown, from five during the inaugural event in 2006 to the 16 who enlisted this season. Because of an overwhelming workload, Griffey solicited the help of Brad Rozzi, who graciously served as this year’s co-director.
The kids who took part in this year’s event truly are special. They found themselves dealing with challenges like cerebral palsy, birth defects, autism, leukemia and paralysis. They didn’t ask for it and they didn’t deserve it, yet they hold positive attitudes and welcome each day with excitement and happiness. If only some adults could learn that!
“We wanted these kids to be afforded the same opportunities that other kids have,” said Bre Schave, who also serves as one of the camp directors and has been involved with Freedom Hunt since its inception. “They are no different than other kids.”
The camp started to buzz when participants began making their way to the secluded site, nestled on the banks of the Eel River. Later that evening, the children received their very own hunting equipment. Sleep came early after the hearty meal of venison chili, simmered to perfection in a huge pot over a roaring camp fire.
Through the first night the camp laid silent, except for the cacophony of tree frogs, crickets and distant howl of a coyote. In the predawn darkness on opening morning, the camp slowly came to life. The fire was stoked, guides readied equipment and kids dressed themselves in their new camouflaged clothing. It wasn’t long before groups of children and guides began the trek to their respective ground blinds. Parents and other camp volunteers congregated around the large camp fire intently wishing for their success.
Shortly after the sun made its way over the tree tops, a distant shot was faintly heard as it echoed through the dense woods. “Yes!” someone yelled as word began coming in of young hunters who had collected deer. Several others clapped in approval.
By mid-morning, trucks began pulling into camp carrying children giddy with excitement. Crowds quickly gathered. Camcorders hummed and cameras clicked.
“This is such a wonderful thing and it is truly amazing what everyone does for these kids,” said Rhonda Ambrose, as volunteers unloaded the deer taken by her son Jared Louthain.
“I am honored to be able to do this for these kids,” said his guide, Bill Foust.
A short time later, Adam Scott, who served as a guide for 10-year-old David Staggs and his father, Anthony Staggs, pulled into camp.
“I’ve hunted my whole life but this means more to me than anything,” Scott said proudly, as he removed the deer from the bed of his pickup.
For a moment, Anthony Staggs stood in silence as everyone congratulated his son. “This is just unbelievable,” he said humbly. “I have never really hunted and we are both learning together. This is one of the best father-and-son times we’ve ever had.”
Later that morning, camp veteran Brian Foust, age 15, arrived into camp with his guide Gene Harris and video producer Jarrod Hedrick, who was filming the hunt for Midwest Whitetail. Foust has only missed one Freedom Hunt and that was due to an extended stay in the hospital caused by complications of his cerebral palsy.
In grand fashion Foust succeeded in taking the biggest deer of the day, a beautiful seven-point buck. He said very little as he sat in his wheelchair soaking it all in.
“Brian did awesome,” Harris told the gathering of people who stood in admiration of Foust’s buck. “He made an absolute perfect shot,” Hedrick added. “Normally when filming things don’t work out as planned, but this could not have been scripted any better.”
By mid-day everyone had gathered back at camp for a buffet lunch provided by designated cook Mitzi White and her crew of volunteers. In between bites of food, stories began to flow like water in the adjacent river.
“We saw 11 deer this morning,” explained Jim Trine, who volunteered as a guide for Quinton Doty. “We ended up spooking them trying to wake Quinton up,” he said among laughs. “He didn’t fall asleep after that!”
IDNR wildlife biologist Tom Hewitt, who also served as a guide, recalled an event that took place during his morning hunt with Andrew Ash.
“We saw a big eight-pointer and several does right off the bat,” he explained. “Then later on Andrew had to relieve himself, but when he stepped out of the blind we spooked two does bedded right next to us,” he added with his familiar tight-lipped grin.
“You have to admit, this is pretty amazing,” said fellow guide Jeff Patchett as we stood overlooking the sea of camo gathered around camp. “These guys do a great job,” he said sincerely. It was his way of complimenting everyone who made the Freedom Hunt possible. I found his comments a bit ironic considering Patchett himself was nearly crippled in a serious fall that almost cost him his leg, his injuries still evident by his hobbled gait. In spite of his daily pain, he still donates much of his time helping children.
After a while, I found myself detached from the crowd. I needed a few moments to reflect on the gentle breeze blowing through the trees, beautiful scenery, distant laughter and the lifelong memories being made on that Cass County farm. It then dawned on me what I was taking in was much more than a hunting camp for special needs children. It was the honor being around a group of great people, doing great things for great kids.
Youth Hunting Results
For many adults, there are few things as rewarding as spending time in the deer woods with a child. Last weekend marked another special youth deer hunting weekend where children age 17 or younger could pursue our state’s premier big game animal under the supervision of an adult. There is no doubt many lifelong memories were made as evidenced by the number of kids who encountered success. Thanks are also in order for the adults who made time to accompany these youngsters.
Congratulations to the following children who collected deer during Indiana’s special youth deer hunting weekend. Here are the names of these successful young hunters, provided by Bryant’s Outdoors, Innovative Archery and Simpson’s Deer Processing.
Maci Maupin — 150-pound, eight-point buck; Alan Chupp — 100-pound doe; K’Mia Bontrager — 90-pound doe; Michael Osborne — 100-pound doe; Caleb Huffer — 115-pound spike; Bryce Cunningham — 107-pound doe; Chad Elmore Jr. — 85-pound doe; Brice Biddle — 80-pound doe; Allen Cooper — 190-pound, 10-point buck; Nick Martino — 130-pound, seven-point buck; Dylan Habig — 150-pound, nine-point buck; Wade Cummings — 110-pound doe; Zeke Williams — 115-pound doe.
Drew Davis — 100-pound doe; Dakota Eller — 145-pound, 10-point buck; Ky Schimmel — 115-pound doe; Luke Hubbard — 95-pound doe; Dylan Vandergriff — 65-pound button buck; Austin Chadwell — 135-pound, six-point buck; Nathanial Roy — 125-pound doe; Josh Williams — 105-pound doe; Evan Gaylor — 110-pound doe; Sam Rasmisee — 135-pound, eight-point buck; Evan Jacobs — 65-pound doe; Taylor Downing — 60-pound button buck; Jason Pigg — 110-pound doe; Wil Harris — 150-pound, six-point buck.
Adam Meton — 115-pound doe; Jim Ulerich — 200-pound, eight-point buck; Layton Mygrant — 120-pound doe; Emily Wellsand — 65-pound button buck; Austin Ford — 140-pound, eight-point buck; Kyle Peters — 110-pound doe; Quinton Doty — 110pound doe; David Staggs — 60-pound doe; Cody Correll — 65-pound button buck; Andrew Ash — 60-pound button buck; Mason Piel — 70-pound doe; Bryan Foust — 125-pound seven-point buck; Jared Louthain — 60-pound button buck; Brock Newton — 87-pound doe.
Tournament Results
The Bullseye Team Tournament Trail recently came off its end-of-the-year Classic event held on Lake Wawasee. The final tournament was a two-day contest open to the top 15 teams based on points accumulated through this summer’s tournament schedule.
Greg Rude and Phil Reel were crowned classic champions after weighing in 12 bass totaling 16.84 pounds. Dick Mugg and Doug Pence took second place with 13.17 pounds. Third place went to Curt Reed and Shane Melton with 12.09 pounds.
The team of Royce Cage and Ron Weigt won last week’s Delphi-Delco bass tourney, held on Mississinewa Reservoir, with two fish weighing 3 pounds, 11 ounces. Second place and the weekly contest’s “big fish” award went to Mike Harrison and Jim Huffer with a single largemouth tipping the scales at 2 pounds, 8 ounces.
• John Martino is the Tribune’s outdoors columnist. He may be reached by e-mail at jmartinooutdoors@att.net.
