Operation Orphans, Inc. took 132 boys and girls hunting during the 2024 deer season. The kids harvested 135 animals during the four hunts offered. During the October hunt, 33 girls harvested 32 animals. The boy’s hunts which were held in November, December, and January, had 32 boys and 31 deer, 32 boys and 30 deer, and 35 boys getting 42 deer, respectively. The kids came from foster homes and various child care residential facilities. The children and their guides hunted on area ranches helping harvest excess does and some management bucks. This program helps to educate children who would otherwise likely not have an opportunity of the responsibilities of game management and the process of harvesting and processing the meat.
During the January hunt, boys came from Methodist Home, Waco; West Texas Boys Ranch, San Angelo; Bernal Home, El Paso; Acuna Home, Deer Park; Texas Baptist Home, Round Rock; Sweeten Home, Brownwood; and Medina Home, Medina. Ranches hosting the hunting groups were Bar 7-Whittle Ranch, Gillespie county; Burkhalter Ranch, Mason; Cripple Creek Ranch, Bandera; Foxhollow Ranch, Menard; Ransleben Ranch, Gillespie; McHale Ranch, Mason; Owl Lane Ranch, Gillespie; Rocking G Ranch, Kimble; Sultemeier Ranch, Mason; Northcutt Ranch, Mason; Whitetail Ranch, Gillespie; and Woelfel Ranch, Mason.
Animals harvested during this hunt were 25 does, 12 bucks, 3 hogs, and 2 axis. The meat is used in the homes or in their outreach programs.
The Mason Boy Scouts prepared the early Saturday morning breakfast. Those participating were scoutmasters Terry Simonton and Stephen Kruso; scouts: Thomas Kruso, Liam Kruso, Garrett Lindsay, Sam Simonton, and Travis Vinson; and friend of the troop and volunteer, Angel Quintero.
Various other volunteers from across Texas assisted with food preparation, clean up, deer processing, guiding, and the clothing room.
During a board meeting of the Operation Orphans Trustees held Sunday morning, the 2025 fishing and hunting dates were set. Boys fishing will take place April 26th, and the girls fishing will be May 17th. Hunt dates will have the girl’s hunt October 25 followed by boy’s hunts November 15, December 13, and January 10.
Anyone who has a fishing pond or tank and who would like to allow these kids to fish may contact Jerry or Lyla Crouch, Camp Supervisors, phone: 325.347.6745 or Bryan Clemons, phone: 512.844.7169. All fishing is catch and release.
Individuals who wish to volunteer as a hunting or fishing guide, or who would like to host children for hunting may contact Jerry, Lyla, or Bryan, or may go to the Operation Orphans website: www.operationorphans. org. On the site, you can sign up, ask questions, or get more in- depth information about the Operation Orphans “Take a Child Hunting & Fishing” programs.