On December 27, 2024, five special hunters participated in an antlerless-only holiday hunt on private land in Columbia County, Wisconsin. Four inches of snow covered the ground, and a mist lingered in the air as each excited hunter entered their enclosed tower blind, accompanied by their mentor. Shortly after settling in around 2:00 PM, it began to rain, melting the snow and leaving behind muddy terrain.
Megan and her mentor had been in the hunting blind for only an hour and a half when three deer suddenly appeared behind them on their right side. Since they had been facing the wrong direction, they quickly repositioned themselves. Once the deer entered their shooting range, Megan focused on the largest one, aimed her rifle, and fired. The deer jumped, ran off, and then dropped way out in the field.
Chloe said, “The deer was hidden among the trees, so I didn’t see it at first. But my mom pointed it out to me, and we got the gun ready. We waited until it came out into the grassy area, and then I took my shot. The deer ran, and although we didn’t find it right away, I was really excited when we eventually did.”
Arianna shared, “We hadn’t seen any deer on Friday. On Saturday morning, my Papa and I sat in the stand before dawn. We spotted some deer at the edge of the forest. I looked through the scope, aligned it in the crosshairs, and pulled the trigger. I was shaky because the gun was so loud, but once I realized what I had done, I felt both excited and nervous. I asked Darren if I could help track my deer, and he said, ‘Of course.’ We went to look for it, and since it was far away, we had to drive out and follow the blood trail. When we found it, I was super excited—I had actually shot my first deer! I am very grateful for the new friends I made and the venison I have for my family.
Megan and her mentor decided to try a different hunting blind that morning. Megan glanced to the right and then looked out the back window. She spotted three deer on the pathway and became excited. They waited patiently for the deer to come into view. Eventually, the deer made their way halfway down the ravine after feeding, and one stopped broadside. Megan lined up her shot and pulled the trigger; the deer jumped and ran off like her first doe. Megan looked at her mentor and asked, “Do you think I got it?” Her mentor replied, “Yes, your deer is down.” Overjoyed, Megan high-fived and hugged her mentor.
Chloe said, “On Saturday morning, we only saw bucks. Later that afternoon, I spotted a deer coming up the trail. I waited until it got closer and turned broadside to take a clear shot. After that, I saw two more deer. I managed to get one in my sights and took the shot. The deer dropped while the other one ran away. I was excited, and so were my parents. The best part of my hunt was making new friends!”
Lily had not yet seen any deer, but she decided to remain in the hunting blind, feeling that if she moved, a deer might appear. After about three hours, Lily said, “Around 4:00 PM, my mom saw the first deer, but then she lost sight of it. I was able to see it through the scope of my gun, and when it started to run, I shot it. It ran about 10 to 15 yards before falling. Three minutes later, a second deer emerged in front of the blind, and I shot that one, too; it dropped in its tracks. A third deer followed an albino deer, and when I shot it, all three deer were down in 15 minutes or less. I was really happy and excited; my adrenaline was pumping. I immediately got out of the blind to go see my deer.” When asked what was special about her hunt, she added, “Learning how to field dress a deer.”
Brooke patiently sat in the blind with her mother, grandfather, and mentor, hoping to bag her first deer. Although she didn’t see any deer, she did spot a possum on Saturday afternoon and a gray squirrel on Sunday morning. Despite this, she felt positive about the friendships she formed with the other girls and was thrilled to learn that Megan wanted to donate one of her deer to her. Brook exclaimed, “I was so happy!” When asked what the best part of the hunt was, she replied, “Making new friends!”
Lily’s mother commented, “This deer hunt is empowering for the girls because many enjoy it but are afraid to participate since they don’t feel encouraged to engage in activities typically associated with boys. I believe this experience will encourage girls and women to become more involved. If they are interested but are hesitant to step forward, receiving encouragement can help them take that leap and become more engaged in the sport.”
Another parent remarked that the guides, Herb and Darren connected well with the kids, ensuring everyone got along and had a great time. “When they took us out to the blinds, they always joked around and built strong connections with everyone. They made sure we had everything we needed.”
Congratulations to the girls on bagging nine deer and creating unforgettable memories together. Thank you to Tom Madsen, Herb Spradlin, and Darren Shields for giving them an incredible hunting experience. God bless!
If you are a landowner interested in mentoring a child or donating your property for a special hunt, please contact us at [email protected] or (800) 518-8019.