Operation Orphans, Inc. held the second hunt of the 2021- 22 hunting season, Saturday, November 20. Boys came to Camp Gene Ashby Friday afternoon eager to enjoy a day in the outdoors. The young hunters came from Boys & Girls Country, Hockley; West Texas Boys Ranch, San Angelo; Ramirez Foster Home, Converse; Araujo-Castro Foster Home, San Antonio; Gonzales Foster Home, Converse; Collard Foster Home, Walnut Springs; Thomas Foster Home, San Antonio; and Salazar Foster Home, Converse.
The 31 boys harvested 39 animals. Animals harvested were 25 whitetail does, 10 whitetail bucks, and four hogs. The boys and their guides spent Saturday hunting at 13 area ranches.
Ranches hosting the groups were Bearden Ranch, Mason county; Boys Ranch, Kerr; Burkhalter Ranch, Mason; Stone Throw Ranch, Mason; Century Ridge Ranch, Mason; Circle M Ranch, Gillespie; Crooked E Ranch, Blanco; DTR Ranch, Menard; Gentry Springs Ranch, Kimble; High Lonesome, Mason; Ransleben Ranch, Gillespie; Riley Creek Ranch, Gillespie; and Schmidt Ranch, Mason.
The boys had a great time learning the art of hunting and enjoying the sights and sounds of the Hill Country. Landowners offer a lifetime experience for the kids who participate. This program is used as an educational activity and a game management program helping keep deer numbers in check.
Operation Orphans has two more hunts scheduled December 4 and January 8. Both hunts will be for boys. The first hunt this season held in October had 18 girls participating. Those girls harvested 23 animals.
Since the Operation Orphans, Inc. “Take a Child Hunting” program began in 1960, 18,960 boys and girls have participated and have harvested 18,896 animals. The meat from these hunts is used in the children facility or in their various outreach programs.
Operation Orphans, Inc. accepts donations and is a 501©(3) organization. This season, Operation Orphans, along with assistance from Cabela's, has been able to purchase a new pair of boots for all the children who participate. Please visit www. operationorphans.org for more information.