Friday, October 25th, 32 girls from six child residential and foster homes traveled to Camp Gene Ashby to enjoy a few days of fun and a deer hunt. The girls came from Texas Boys & Girls Ranch, Lubbock; Road to Wisdom, Houston; Fosters Home, Stephenville; Methodist Home, Waco; Boys & Girls Country, Hockley; and Marlow Home, Baytown. The girls and their chaperones/counselors were eager to get the fun started. They had an orientation meeting, were assigned sleeping bunks, visited the clothing room, and enjoyed a delicious meal of loaded potatoes. Volunteers had a spooky hay ride ready for the youngsters. They traveled through the Operation Orphans game pasture and spotted various deer and wildlife, along with ghouls, a creepy cemetery, and other scary creatures. Some volunteers had crafts for the girls to enjoy as well.
Guides from across Texas came to share their knowledge and love of the outdoors and hunting with the young hunters. Ranches hosting the hunters were Angel Oaks, Mason; Bar & Ranch, Gillespie; Bearden Ranch, Mason; Boys Ranch, Kerr; Goad Family Ranch, Mason; Johnson Homestead, Menard; Ransleben Ranch, Gillespie; Lazy B Ranch, Mason; Madera Ranch, Mason; Northcutt Ranch, Mason; Operation Orphans Game Pasture, Mason; Owl Lane, Gillespie; Spencer Ranch, Gillespie; Straley Ranch, Mills; Watkins Ranch, Menard; and White Ranch, Mason. The host ranches offer so much more than a deer hunt. They allow the kids to enjoy nature and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors. The youngsters get to learn about game management and get hands on experience field dressing and processing their harvested game.
The 32 girls harvested 32 animals. Animals harvested were 23 does, one spike, three bucks, two aoudad, and three axis. Several of the bucks and axis had exceptional antlers. Memories and relationships were definitely made and will be cherished for years to come. The participating guides take a deep interest in the young hunters and enjoy making bonds and sharing their knowledge of the outdoors, hunting, and life.
The groups traveled back to Camp Gene Ashby after their day of hunting and had many experiences and stories to tell. Some girls enjoyed learning how to quarter a deer. The girls and guides enjoyed some funny and serious conversations while getting the processing done. Everyone enjoyed a good meal, s'mores, and were ready to go to bed after a long, but exciting day.
Operation Orphans will have hunts for boys November 16, December 7, and January 11. Anyone who wishes to host kids, serve as a guide, volunteer, or who would like to donate money, hunting clothing, or other items can sign up at the Operation Orphans web-site: www.operationorphans.org, or may call 325.347.6745, for more information.
This program would not be possible without the many volunteers, land owners, and others who give so unselfishly to benefit these children who have experienced some tough and trying times. Operation Orphans, Inc. is so grateful to those who have shared their hearts and bounty with the organization since the program’s beginning in 1960.