Operation Orphans, Inc held its second hunt of the 2025 deer season on November 15th. 18 boys from Boys and Girls Country, Hockley; Texas Baptist Home, Round Rock; and West Texas Boys Ranch, San Angelo came to Camp Gene Ashby the evening before their hunt. Those boys harvested 26 animals which consisted of 19 does, 6 bucks, and one aoudad. The 'Take a Child Hunting' program hosted 35 girls during the October hunt. Additional hunts will take place December 13 and January 10.
The boys along with volunteer guides traveled to area ranches to spend the day hunting and learning about the outdoors. Ranches hosting were Gentry Springs Ranch, Kimble county; GR Ranch, Mason; Johnson Family Ranch, Menard; Operation Orphans Game Pasture, Mason; Boen- ker/ Ransleben Ranch, Gillespie; Smith Ranch, Mason; Thomas Ranch, Mason; and Watkins Ranch, Menard. The ranches allow the kids to harvest excess deer which helps in managing their deer herds and gives these underserved kids an opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of the Texas hill country. Many of these youngsters have never stepped foot on a ranch or farm. The kids who participate with Operation Orphans, Inc are wards of the State, living in child residential facilities or foster homes.
During this hunt a young man who had participated as a child years ago returned to Camp Gene Ashby to serve as a guide. He wanted to be a part of this organization to help some youngster just as he was helped years ago. To make it even more special, the guide that took him out during his hunt, who is now an Operation Orphans director, accompanied him and the young hunter. Once again, they were together in the outdoors and also helping introduce a youngster to the joys and responsibilities of hunting. New memories to accompany the old.
Operation Orphans, Inc is a nonprofit 501©(3) organization which began in 1960. For more information about the Operation Orphans hunting and fishing programs, please check out the website: www. operationorphans. org, or contact camp supervisors Jerry or Lyla Crouch, phone: 325.347.6745, or Bryan Clemons, Hunt Director, phone: 512.844.7169.
Operation Orphans, Inc will gladly accept new or gently used jeans, camouflage clothing, belts, gloves, coats, and rain gear.