Operation Orphans, Inc. had its third hunt of the 2021 season December 4th. Thirtythree boys from four child care facilities harvested 34 whitetail deer. The boys came from Foster’s Home, Stephenville; West Texas Boys Ranch, San Angelo; Methodist Boys Ranch, Waco; and Sweeten Home, Brownwood. The boys harvested 23 does, two spikes, and nine bucks. Area ranches that hosted the eager hunters and their guides were BSAK Ranch, McCulloch County; Ransleben Ranch, Gillespie; Lov Kuykendall Ranch, San Saba; Patrick Loftin, Mason; Pinon Springs Ranch, Edwards; Robison 4R Ranch, Gillespie; Schmidt Ranch, Mason; Spencer Ranch, Gillespie; Smith Ranch, Mason; Straley Ranch, Mills; and Woelfel Stone Throw Ranch, Mason. The meat from these hunts is used in the facility or in their outreach programs. Volunteers from across Texas serve as guides/mentors during the hunt. All individuals who wish to volunteer as a guide must successfully complete a certified hunter safety course and submit to a background check.
Members of the Mason Boy Scouts assisted in preparing the Saturday morning breakfast. Those helping were Jacob Kruso, Austin Simonton, Sam Simonton, Liam Kruso, Thomas Kruso, Garrett Lindsay, Noah Sparks, and Patrick VanDelist. Adults were Terry Simonton, Stephen Kruso, and Clay Lindsay.
The “Take a Child Hunting” program was started in 1960 by area game warden, Gene Ashby. Since 1960, 19,024 boys and girls have participated in the hunting program. Area landowners use this program as a way to assist in managing their deer numbers. They also do a great service in educating kids to the joys and responsibilities of the outdoors.
Operation Orphans, Inc. will have its final hunt of the 2021-22 season January 8. During the three previous hunts this season, 82 boys and girls have harvested 96 animals.
On January 9, Operation Orphans, Inc. will have a board meeting to set dates for the hunting and fishing weekends for 2022.
Additional information about Operation Orphans, Inc. may be found at <www.operationorphans.org>.