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     Troy_jens Member Username: Troy_jens Post Number: 53 Registered: 04-2007 Posted From: 24.181.100.130  |
 When it comes to sharing time with special kids, every outing is the trip of a lifetime for me. I picked up 13 year old JC Davis this past week over in Mississippi. He and I had gone on a deer hunt a little over a year ago out in Texas, where he took a beautiful 8 pointer. The trip this past weekend was different, romper room is definitely over, we packed it up and headed North to upper Wisconsin where JC would be hunting bear! Now when a couple Southern boys wind up 18 hours North of home, there are things to adjust to. Things like cold, pretty colored leaves on the trees this early in the year, tea without sugar and the word… “pop”. For us it’s sort of like going to another country. On our way to the hunting grounds we made a stop over at the headquarters for the United Special Sportman’s Alliance, (USSA) in central Wisconsin. Brigid and her family graciously extended their hospitality while we took a break from the long road trip. The USSA set this special trip up for young JC, as they have done for thousands of kids who have an outdoor trip on their wish list. The work it takes to get a child a bear tag and to set up the trips is a major undertaking, but the USSA makes the unforgettable dreams come true for children with serious and/or life-threatening illnesses. Upon arriving at our destination in the beautiful Chequamegon National Forest in North West Wisconsin, we were greeted by our hosts, Russ Smith and his fiancé, Jen. Russ is a board member of the Wisconsin Chapter of Safari Club International, (SCI) which donated this special trip for JC. Outfitters and land owners associated with SCI help make many of these special trips for kids in America possible. This particular Wisconsin chapter of SCI has been outstanding in providing hunts for kids that would never have the chance anywhere else. Now, Russ’s home didn’t appear “big” from the outside, but as he invited us in I immediately got a sense of how Noah made the whole Ark thing happen. Russ had two of everything mounted in there somewhere… with a little room to spare! The hunting stories that went with each animal were just as impressive. It was a beautiful place to stay, and Russ and Jen made every aspect of JC’s hunt a first class experience. Russ would also be the mediator between JC, myself and the native Wisconsin bear hunter. I would quickly learn that the South has not cornered the market on “characters” in the outdoor world. During the hunt on Saturday, JC would ride with John Bahr, who’s nickname was “Big Bear”. Big Bear was a good nickname for two reasons, one… his last name was pronounced “Bear” and two… he was big. He was 7 feet tall, had a big chain around his neck and wore an old leather hat. Big Bear was the kind of guy who goes into the woods without a weapon because, well he just don’t need one…! He gave JC a claw from a mountain lion he once came across. I figure Big Bear just killed it by hand. “Big Bear” was a great guide for JC. Then there were guys like Ron Miller who’s nick name was “Curley”. When Curley showed up with the hunting dogs, it was obvious that it wasn’t up to the wife and kids to name the pets in the family. There were no “Fee Fees”, Fluffy or Fido’s in this heard of hounds. Dogs like “Scar” were proof that this was the real deal. When a guy shows up with a dog named “Scar”, you just don’t ask too many questions… The hunt for JC on Saturday started with perfect weather. The day couldn’t have been ordered any better from Heaven. The sun lit the radiant colors up in the beautiful autumn leaves, setting a-blaze the incredible scenery throughout the timber surrounding the Chippewa flowage. It was an unforgettable backdrop for a great hunting day. Things started a little slow, but it went quickly from placid to pandemonium when the dogs finally caught scent of a bear. A large group of hunters in the area came together to help JC get to the area where deep in the woods, “Scar” had treed a bear. For the most part, JC uses a wheelchair for transportation as his condition from birth has left him unable to walk. JC can walk on his knees in some places, but getting through the deep woods is challenging. JC got in one of the hunter’s “Geo Tracker”… which is sort of a glorified go-cart. As Big Bear said… “it’s sort of like the next best thing to a truck without actually owning one”… None the less, the driver dove off into the woods with JC in the tracker, and Russ and I followed, pushing and lifting each time the truck got hung on stumps and rocks. As the truck finally got to the point where it could go no further, JC climbed out and began the trek through the timber, walking on his knees over stumps, rocks and logs. Excitedly, JC made his way toward the sound of the dogs. The hunters all helped, moving logs out of the way and helping JC get through the many maple saplings surrounding the area where Scar had treed the bear. JC showed his hunters heart and spirit as he made it through over 100 yards of timber to the base of the tree where 30 feet above, sat a big black bear. As the hunters cleared the area, JC raised his high-power rifle and pulled the trigger. He made a perfect shot, and moments later the big bear fell to the ground. The magnificent animal had a perfect coat, and the smile and excitement on JC’s face said everything there was to say about a young man who had just shot his first bear. The effort between the USSA and the Wisconsin chapter of SCI brought to life the dream of a great young man. Just as important, the experience will be forever etched into the souls of all of the hunters who were blessed to be a part of it. There is just not a finer group of people anywhere then those Wisconsin hunters who came together to join JC on his dream hunt. It was JC’s special day that came down to one moment, a moment between a young man and a bear that while it was over in seconds, will last his entire life. Special thanks to JC for being an outstanding young man. To JC’s mom, who came along and was such great help. To Russ Smith at russsmithconstruction.com who provided great lodging, guiding and hospitality. To Jen… who keeps Russ in line. To Big Bear, Curly, Scar and the other hunters and dogs who were outstanding sportsmen. To “Woody” who drove all the way up to visit us while we were there. To Sportsman’s Dreams Taxidermy and wild game processing in Hayward, Wisconsin who is donating the processing and special mount for JC. To the Wisconsin Chapter of Safari Club International To the United Special Sportsman’s Alliance To TLC charities who helped provide some of the personal funding for this trip. And finally to our Lord Jesus, who gives us the meaning for the time we share together. | ||
| Troy_jens Member Username: Troy_jens Post Number: 54 Registered: 04-2007 Posted From: 24.181.100.130 |
JC and the whole gang who helped him get his bear.  | ||
| Ussa Member Username: Ussa Post Number: 372 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 70.41.45.61  |
Hey Troy, Just want to thank you for taking the time off of work to bring JC and his mother to Wisconsin. I know the travel was long and very tiresome, but your kindness was truly appreciated by everyone involved. It was very special to finally meet JC and his mother; they sure are wonderful people. God bless you! Brigid O'Donoghue | ||
| Deerhuntingjc Member Username: Deerhuntingjc Post Number: 2 Registered: 09-2007 Posted From: 74.171.227.229 |
thank you Brigid and Mr. Troy for every thing |
