9-year-old Duke said, “On Tuesday night, my dad and Jeff and I went out baiting before the hunt. We used cookies, doughnuts, and brownies, and it all smelled like cereal. The next day we went out and sat in the blind all day, but we didn’t see any bear. On Thursday afternoon was the first time we saw the bear; it grabbed the bait and then ran off and hid behind a tree. Then it came and got more bait and hid behind the stump and then back again behind the tree. The bear just kept doing it over and over again. After that, I thought the bear was very smart and would not stay in front of me to shoot.
Then it started eating acorns and digging the ground trying to get under the stump, and that is when Jeff told me I could take a shot. I could do this, I thought, and
I did it! I felt so excited, and my dad and Jeff were too because they didn’t have to help me.
I gave Jeff and my dad a high five. Then Jeff put the bear on a stump so we could take pictures. The best part of my hunt was shooting the bear; it was my first animal! I called my mom, and she told me she was really proud of me.”
We are grateful to Kenneth Stuebs for donating his bear license and Jeff Hartwig for giving the young man an incredible 1st time hunting experience. Congratulations to Duke on his trophy bear and the exciting memories shared with his dad and guide! God bless!
If you are interested in getting involved or know of a deserving child or veteran, don’t hesitate to contact USSA.