Operation Orphans, Inc. is starting to prepare for the 2024 deer season. If any landowners or lease hunters would like additional information about our hunting program or would like to sign up for next season's hunts, they are encouraged to call Jerry or Lyla Crouch, Operation Orphans Camp Supervisors, at 325.347.6745 (please leave a message if no answer) or 325.347.7306. They can also go to the Operation Orphans website: www.operationorphans. org, where they can read more information, sign up, or ask questions. Click on the How You Can Help Tab to sign up as a guide or ranch and fill out the appropriate information. If you have any questions, please contact Operation Orphans at: info@operationorphans.org.
Operation Orphans, Inc. has had 19,233 boys and girls participate in the hunting program since 1960.
Hunt dates for the 2024-2025 season will be: Girl's Hunt: October 26; Boy's Hunts: November 16, December 7, and January 11.
Operation Orphans, Inc. organizes hunts where children who are wards of the State and are in Child Residential Homes or Foster Homes come to Camp Gene Ashby, Mason, Texas, and are matched with volunteer guides who take the kids hunting on area ranches. The landowners use this program to harvest excess animals such as does, spikes, management bucks, or feral hogs. The landowner specifies what is to be harvested. These landowners or lease hunters also offer the participating children an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, experience a deer hunting adventure, and learn valuable lessons about deer and land management. Many of these kids will never have another chance to enjoy the outdoors in this way. A copy of the Release of Liability form which the children's homes fill out before being allowed to participate is on the website. Landowners may provide their own release of liability form if they wish as well.
The children and sponsors come to Camp Gene Ashby the Friday before the date of their scheduled hunt. They go through a safety and orientation meeting; are assigned sleeping areas in the dormitory; visit the Clothing Room where they get boots, clothing, gloves, etc. which they get to keep; eat supper and snacks; and relax in the Janie & Milton Jordan Building, playing various games etc.
Each child is matched with a guide or guides. During the girl's hunt, a girl will have a woman or man/woman team serve as guides. All individuals who serve as guides must successfully complete a background check which can be accessed on the Operation Orphans website. Guides must also successfully complete a Hunter Safety Course and be aged 21 or over. The guides will spend all day in the field with the youngster, sharing knowledge of the outdoors and hunting. Many times, the bonds which develop during this activity last years.
Operation Orphans also holds fishing camps for children. On April 13th, 55 boys came and enjoyed fishing at the McHale Ranch, Reardon Ranch, and Ewing Ranch. Homes taking part were Hill Country Youth Ranch, Ingram; Big Springs Ranch, Leakey; Texas Boys and Girls Ranch, Lubbock; Foster's Home, Stephenville; Texas Baptist Home, Round Rock; West Texas Boys’ Ranch, San Angelo; and Sweeten Home, Brownwood. April 20th had 17 girls participate from Big Springs Ranch, Leakey; Texas Boys and Girls Ranch, Lubbock; and Concho Valley Home, SanAngelo. They enjoyed a great time at the McHale Ranch. One thousand, three hundred and eighty kids have taken part in the Fishing Program since its beginning in 2004.
Operation Orphans accepts used hunting clothing such as camouflage coats, shirts and pants, coveralls, insulated suits, gloves, jeans, long sleeve shirts, hoodies, etc. Reuseable shopping bags and totes are also needed for the kids to put items they get from 'shopping' the clothing room. New fleece throws or blankets are also something the children like to receive when 'shopping.' Children that participate are ages 10-18 so clothing can range from small to XXL.