​Jordan Anthony
My Bear Hunt

By Jordan Anthony

             First of all, I wish to thank all of those who made it possible for me to go to Canada for my Bear Hunt.  That would be S.C.I. for sponsoring my Wish Hunt.  Also, those at Benefit4Kids, Jason and Al.  I appreciate everyone who supported me. 

            This trip was very special to me.  A truly once in a lifetime experience!  I loved taking a road trip with my Dad.  We enjoyed being together and the different things we got to see.  We had a lot of fun!  It was a special time that we will always remember.

             We arrived at Henderson’s Bear Camp and were very excited to shoot a bear.  The weather was perfect for bear hunting and on the first day we saw a bear come in but we didn’t shoot because we were told to wait unit the bear was on the bait and comfortable, the bear came in broadside twice but we were waiting to let it get on the bait.  It finally did but didn’t stay there long enough to get a shot, disappointing to say the least.  The weather went south on us and it became non bear hunting weather and we didn’t see another bear for the rest of the hunt.

             We went everyday after that hoping to see a bear but it didn’t happen.  That’s hunting they were hitting the baits every night after we left but never came in while we were there.

             We had a lot of fun in the main cabin eating and joking around, also meeting people for the first time.  The food was awesome.  Henderson’s Camp really tried to have me get a bear and I appreciate that.

             I thank God for the opportunity and I will remember the time I had in New Brunswick woods with my dad.
 

Douglas had an amazing trip to Henderson's Hunting Camp for black bear hunting.

​Joseph Dauer
15-Year-old Joey Dauer from Redford Twp MI suffers from Hydrocephalus caused by an Arachnoid Cyst. Joey has had 70+ brain surgeries and currently has a VP Shunt, which must be corrected and changed on a regular basis. Despite all this Joey is a very active young man participating in Special Olympics in snowboard competitions and enjoying life to the fullest! We first met Joey's parents at Outdoorrama in 2007 and when his parents went home and told Joey about our program, he immediately said he wanted a buffalo head to hang over his bed to wake up to every day!

Joey stayed at Superior Game with Jeff Debacker and his family.  When the family got back I don’t think you could have found a more thankful and happy family! Joey and his family traveled from their home in SE MI to Edgetts Lodge www.edgettslodge.com in which they spent three wonderful days enjoying the beauty that surrounds Edgetts Lodge. Edgetts Lodge is just south of Cadillac, MI in northern Lower Michigan. The combination of snow and sunshine gave them piece and relaxation prior to their exciting and heart warming adventure that awaited them at Superior Game Ranch! As Joey's mom puts it, "He loved the lodge, and it's peacefulness. I'm glad we did that before the hunt, it gave him a chance to "lay back" as he put it and get ready for this"!

Although hard to leave Edgetts Lodge, Joey was excited to finally be heading further north in his quest for that buffalo he has always pictured hanging in the house! As they drove north, the snow depths got deeper and the excitement built. Joey has never seen so much snow and this was just more of an excitement level for him as he loves to snowboard as well!

When they arrived at Superior Game Ranch www.superiorgameranch.com they were met at the door with open arms by Jeff and Reba Debacker, owners of Superior. Jeff and Reba are no strangers to Benefit4Kids and have worked with us in past helping us bring the smiles and memories to these kids faces! Jeff and Reba have once again stepped up and helped us out by donating part of this hunt to help Joey see his dream come true!

The day after arriving, they headed out after a warm breakfast in search for Joey's Buffalo. They finally came up to the edge of an opening and saw a group of buffalo. Joey took aim and when the monster he had his sights on, gave him a clear shot, he took it and within 40 yards, the buffalo was down! The family tells me there were a few tense moments after that as the group of buffalo that remained in the field began to head for Joey and Jeff but lucky they moved off and Joey was able to finally walk up and put his hands on his lifetime trophy

 Benefit4Kids would like to send a out a special Thank You to Mark Slavsky at Edgetts Lodge for his donation and support in helping Benefit4Kids make Joey's trip that much more rewarding for not only Joey, but the entire family as well! Please visit www.edgettslodge.com for more information and contact information if you would like to spend some time at this beautiful cabin as well.

We would also like to send out a special thank you to Jeff and Reba Debacker of Superior Game Ranch once again for stepping up and once again helping us make the life of a child that much brighter! If your interested in an exotic, Elk, Hog, Buffalo, or bird hunt, contact Superior Game Ranch www.superiorgameranch.com in Michigan's Upper Peninsula for a hunt I promise you won't be disappointed about, and tell them Benefit4Kids sent you!

We would also like to thank Jim Shugar of Shugar Taxidermy in Indian River Michigan for helping us out and driving up to Superior Game Ranch to pick up this trophy. Shugar Taxidermy in conjunction with Hills Trophies Unlimited www.hillstrophiesunlimited.com are Benefit4Kids official taxidermist and do a great job on every kids mount to preserve that memory to last a lifetime, as they will do with Joey's Buffalo!

​Mathew Cobbett
'AMEN'

Have you ever had a life altering experience?

Perhaps survived a serious accident or illness, or maybe just an event in your life that hit you like a bucket of cold water, spun you around and made you look at life differently.

I have such a story that I would like to share, and strange as it may seem, it involves a wonderful 13 year-old boy (confined to a wheelchair) and a cow elk.

 The story starts about eight years ago when my wife and I got involved with an organization called “Benefit4Kids”.  This group helps terminally ill and life-limited children fulfill their outdoor dream wishes.  We primarily helped Benefit4Kids at their fundraisers for many years.  A request came from 13 year-old, Matthew Cobbett, who suffers from Congenital Arthrogryposis, a disease that affects his joints, for a wish trip.

Matt’s dream was to hunt elk, away from his native Michigan, and he would have to accomplish this from his wheelchair.  A friend of mine had Matt in his 4-H shooting program, and although he had shooting experience, he would not be able to shoulder the gun himself. 

 I decided to get personally involved in granting this wish.  A friend, Clay Owens, who I had guided with years earlier, coincidentally phoned me about a new ranch he was working with – Cross Mountain Ranch in Hayden, Colorado.  Clay told me that they were in this ranching for wildlife program where you could hunt with a rifle in seasons other that the normal rifle season.  I called Clay to see if they could assist in making a young man’s dream come true, and hunt elk with a rifle in September, when the weather was warmer.  His answer was “yes”, and the planning began.

 A September 5th date was secured, Benefit4Kids purchased plane tickets for Matt, his mom and his dad, also a customized 30.06 was donated to Matt.  His dad built a plywood platform, which hooked to his wheelchair, and with the aid of a gun rest and lots of practice, Matt was ready.  Nothing to do now but count the days!

I recall at the Benefit4Kids June fundraiser that Matt was buzzing around in his wheelchair announcing to everyone “MY NAME IS MATT AND I’M GOING TO COLORADO TO GET AN ELK”!!!!!

The day finally arrived.

I flew out on September 3rd, was met by head guide, Marv Doherty, who said that he was personally going to guide Matt’s hunt.  Marv explained to me in detail how he and the staff of Cross Mountain Ranch were looking forward to this experience.  When I arrived at the Ranch, I was amazed at the wonderful accommodations.  They did all of the little things…. Built a ramp to get the wheelchair over the steps to enter the lodge, and built ground blinds with plywood floors, so Matt could maneuver his wheelchair in and out of them.

Marv also had another surprise for us – Rob Smollack from ASAT Camo, who was already scheduled to film a later hunt at the ranch, decided to come in a week early to film Matt’s hunt.  This was truly beginning to be a “Hunt of a Lifetime”.

On September 5th Matt, his mom (Mary), his dad (Mike), and 7 other hunters arrived at the ranch.  The first order of business was to make sure the firearms were still sighted in.  That evening Marv did a welcoming orientation to all of the hunters; he held up Matt’s target from earlier practice, and said “If you can all shoot like this, you should have no trouble getting an elk this week”.

Matt is a very, very outgoing kid and he fast became buddies with everyone – including the seven other hunters.  These hunters were cheering for Matt’s success more than their own!!

The first morning ended and Marv came to me and said – his gun rest won’t work, it is just too stationary.  We had to clamp a bipod with a swivel top to the plywood table, then cut a padded strap off an old backpack, run a string through the pin on the stock (where the sling snaps in), to hold the stock to Matt’s shoulder.

Day two:  With the help of Marv and Rob on the calls, a cow was coaxed into the clearing where Matt, cameraman, Dave, and Mike (Matt’s Dad) were waiting.  Matt wore earmuffs, and Marv slid one partially up to coach Matt through the shot.  Matt is unable to bend his fingers, so he had to slide his middle finger in front of the trigger and pull with his arm.  BANG!  The cow ran off unscathed and Matt had a look of utter disbelief.

After lunch we decided to take Matt back to the target range, and his first two shots completely missed the target!  Matt cried and we all panicked, however, his Dad found that his scope had become loose.  The adjustment was quickly made, and Matt was shooting right back on target.

Cross Mountain Ranch enjoyed a very successful week of hunting.  One by one the other seven hunters started coming in with their elk.  As well as their own hunts were going, most of them had to admit that out there on the mountain, they were praying for Matt’s success as well.

Day Three.  One of the senior guides suggested a place called “Lucky’s Pond” (seemed like an omen to me), and off we went.  We built a makeshift blind for Matt, the cameraman and Marv.  Mom and Dad, myself and Rob from ASAT were also scattered about in the bushes.  We were only there about a half hour when a cow elk walked into Lucky’s Pond.  The elk was facing Matt, ears swiveling around, and was looking very nervous.  I was watching through my binoculars and saw her turn to leave.  BANG!!  I jumped from the unexpected shot, but managed to get back on quick enough to see what looked like a good hit, as the elk bolted off.

Emotions overflowed.  Mom and Dad cried, I cried, Marv and I hugged, I thanked God.  Then we got our feet back on the ground and realized that we had to find the elk, and five of us tracked it until dark.  Marv promised Matthew that he made a good shot, and that we would find the elk in the morning.

Day 4.  Nine guides, other hunters (foregoing their own hunts), Matt’s dad and myself went to look for the elk.  We found the blood trail, lost the trail, found it again, and then finally lost it and had to give up the search.  Not one of us wanted to face young Matt with the news.

Matthew was devastated.  “I didn’t come here to wound an animal, and I don’t want to hunt any more”.  As we sat at the lunch table, Marv said the following “There is not a hunter here, who has hunted any length of time, who hasn’t had to face the same disappointment”.  One by one the other hunters, guides and myself told their similar stories “sometimes it just happens”,  and we convinced Matt not to give up.

Day 4 – afternoon.  Marv and I tried to talk Matt into hunting a waterhole where he had been sitting the first two days, because it was so hot and we knew the elk would come to the water.  Matt, however, was adamant about hunting the blind where he missed the first elk, and we decided that it was his call.  Six of us rode to the top of the mountain that afternoon, all of us having just one thought….. we did not want this young man going home from his dream of a life time trip, with disappointment.  We pulled his wheelchair into his blind, with his makeshift gun rest, his Dad, Dave and Marv were close by, Rob moved off to do some calling, and I went to park the ranger.  It wasn’t long until a cow appeared, almost in the exact same spot that the first one came in.  Marv went to whisper encouragement to Matt, but realized he had his muffs down and could not hear him.  Marv thought “well, son, I hope you have learned something in the last few days, because you are on your own”.

With his cheek firmly on the stock, his eye glued to the scope, he slid his straight, stiff little fingers in front of the trigger and with the focus and calmness of a veteran elk hunter of many seasons, pulled back with his arm.  BANG!  The cow spun and bolted, but unlike the other time, she only made it about 10 yards and fell over!!!!!  A perfect shot!!!!  All captured on film!!!!!  The demons of failure and disappointment were gone!!!

Matt was so excited – he was tearing at his wheelchair; if he could, I think he would have ran over to that elk!  We were all so excited!  We drove him in the Ranger to his elk, carried him over and sat him on the elk for pictures.  No words can describe how we felt at this successful conclusion.  Marv, Matt and I took the elk down to the truck.  Marv went back up to the mountain to get Matt’s Dad, and ASAT’s, Rob and Dave.  As Matt and I sat in the truck, gazing out into the clear mountain night at the millions of stars, Matt asked me “Mr. Mike are you a Christian?”.  I answered “Yes, Matt, why do you ask?”  He said “because I am a Christian and I believe God blessed me to be on this hunt”!!

                                                 I thought AMEN to that.

                                                                                           Story by:  Mike Jennett

Special thanks to:
Benefit4Kids – Mt. Clemens, MI
Cross Mountain Adventures – Hayden, CO
ASAT Camo – Anaconda, MT

Mag-Na-Port – Mt. Clemens, MI
Lucio Persichetti – Troy, MI
Garth Allen – Washington, Michigan
Crazy Three Tannery (Craig, CO)
Brothers Custom Processing (Craig, CO)
Dear Benefit 4 Kids,

We would like to start by saying thank you for sending Matt and us on this wonderful elk hunt in Colorado.  It is hard to put into words just how we feel.  Saying thank you just doesn’t seem like enough.  How do we repay you for everything you did for us?  Your generosity and giving spirit allowed us to experience a wonderful fun-filled week hunting elk, making new friends and enjoying the company of one of your directors.  We arrived in Hayden, Colorado on Friday, September 5th.  The weather was perfect and the scenery unbelievable.  We were met at the airport by Mike Jennett and Marv Doherty who helps run Cross Mountain Ranch and Matt’s hunting guide.  Matt, Mike and Marv seemed to click right from the get-go.  From there we drove to our cabin about 20 miles away.  The accommodations at Cross Mountain ranch were terrific-first rate.  We settled in our room, and then met the guides and other hunters who would be staying at the ranch.  We were surprised to find that 2 other hunters were from Michigan.  One of whom lived only 15 miles from us!  Vaugh, Marv’s son at Cross Mountain Ranch immediately build a handicap access ramp for Matt.  We were overwhelmed and thankful for their thoughtfulness.  When we ate, we were served 5-star restaurant food prepared Joey who is a area chief.  We were spoiled by his cooking for the next 6 days.  Matt hunted for the next 4 days before he got his elk.  Mike Jennett and Cross Mountain Ranch build some blinds that enabled Matt to hunt from his wheelchair.  Rob Smollack from ASAT camo company offered to come from Montana to tape Matt’s hunt and help call in Elk.  Matt got a shot at one, but he missed.  He shot and injured another, but we lost its blood trail.  The next day Marv and Mike suggested that Matt practice at their range since they modified how he held and sighted his gun.  They adjusted the gun sights based on his practice shooting.  The next day Matt shot his elk-a-perfect shot too!  On Wednesday the day before we left Cross Mountain Ranch offered to take Matt rainbow trout fishing at a mountain pond.  We had a fishing contest.  Matt caught the first fish, his dad caught the biggest and Mike Jennett caught the most.  When Matt wasn’t hunting, he played cards (poker) with the guides, and they taught him how to play cribbage.  The guides gave Matt a nickname because of the way he liked to hold the gas pedal on the 4-wheeler floor, when we were traveling to the hunting blind-LEADFOOT.  Also, we played cards with Mr. Jennett even though he and Matt’s parents would have preferred to take a nap.  On Thursday, September 11th we boarded our plane for home.  It was a sad parting at the cabin and airport.  We made good friends with some wonderful people while we were there.  The hospitality and generosity of the people and the accommodations and food were outstanding.  The hunting and fun we enjoyed on this trip was a once-in-lifetime experience.  It is truly an experience we will never forget  Thank You Benefit4Kids!!!

 

We love You,

The Cobbett’s

Matt,

Mike and Mary

Brandon enjoyed his hunting trip with Phil Pillips in 2005

​Branden Gary
I went to Missouri for an Elk hunt. It took us nine hours to get there. My Dad, Mom, and brother went too. We spent the night in Kirksville. We met John Bender for breakfast and then went to his ranch. He lives about 15 miles from where we were staying. Once we got to his ranch, he showed us around and I saw the Elk that I would be shooting later that day. It was bigger than I thought it would be! John’s son Hunter was there with us too. John has a pond that has catfish in it. He fed them so that I could see how big some of them were. John took us to his Uncle’s house to see the deer that he raises and he also had two Siberian tigers. It was nice to see the big deer up close. My brother got too close to one of the tigers and the tiger peed on him. We all thought that was pretty funny. We had lunch at a Mexican restaurant and then headed back to John’s ranch to hunt the elk.

We were ready to hunt the elk so I got in John’s rhino, my Dad was in the back and John was driving. We tracked down the elk and were able to get a good shot. I used my Dad’s 300 weatherby to shoot it. I was so excited to be shooing that big animal that it was hard to pull the trigger. I asked my Dad as soon as I shot the gun if I got a good shot. He said that I did. It was so awesome and I got an animal bigger than my brother did last year!! He only got a three-point buck.

It took 4 guys to load the elk on a trailer so that we could take it back to John’s barn because the meat processor was waiting for us.

After the hunt I was so excited that I could hardly sleep that night. I called Linda from the hotel room and thanked her for a great hunt and a BIG elk!

We continued our trip to Springfield, Missouri where we took a jeep tour through some Caverns. We toured the Bass Pro Shop Museum that they have in Springfield too. It was very cool to see the different kinds of mounts that were there. A lot of Fred Bear’s things were in the museum.

The next day we drove to Branson. In Branson we rode the Ducks, a vehicle that goes on land and water. It was a pretty cool ride. We went to the Body exhibit that was there too. The last day before we left, we rented a pontoon for the day and fished in Table Rock Lake. We didn’t catch anything, but it was fun anyway.

On the way home, we had to strap the elk horns to the top of our vehicle, as they were too big to put in the back and they smelled a lot too.

Linda and Andy came over the next day to hear about my hunt and to take the hide. We cooked some elk that night too and everyone had a taste.

Thank you Benefit4Kids for making my dream hunt come true!!

Branden Gary

Notes:

Benefit4Kids paid for the family’s lodging, food, travel expenses, outfitter, meat processing and taxidermist for Branden’s Outdoor Wish.

Branden harvested his 6x6, close to 1,000 lb bull elk at John Benders Outdoor Adventures in Green Castle MO. Also thank you to Days Inn of Kirksville for the room discount and to Stillwaters Condominums for the discount of the condo for the families use.


 

Thank you letter

September 16, 2007
Benefit4Kids
21660 23 Mile Road
Macomb MI 48044

To the Officers, Board Members and supporters of Benefit4Kids:

Steve and I would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the wish granted to our son, Branden Gary. Watching him be able to do something that he has always wanted to do was a very fulfilling experience. The memories created will be with us forever.

Linda went above and beyond in getting our trip organized and re-organized. Her assistance was something that we could not have done without.

Benefit4Kids is a wonderful organization and one that we will support in any way that we can in the years to come.

Again, thank you for Branden’s wish. It was a wonderful week spent together as a family.

Sincerely,

Steve & Marla Gary

​Lisa Page
Lisa Paige’s Outdoor Wish was to go to Colorado Elk hunting so Benefit4Kids sent her to fulfill her outdoor wish. Lisa suffers from Neurofibromatosis (NF1), which causes tumors to grow anywhere on her body at any given time and NFL has many facets of affection. In December of 2005 Lisa underwent surgery to have rods placed in her spine to help her condition. Her hunt was from September 7 – 18, 2007


Day one:
Walked out to the school house, a spot where Bob had took us to sit and called in a 5x6 30 yards Jimmy and I but I was unable to shoot him. The 5x6 was approximately 20 feet from Bob and my dad. There was a 4x4 that had snuck up behind my dad and Bob but no one saw him until it was too late. We hunted in the evening but we only saw a couple of cows and 2 mule deer but no shots were taken, it was a slow evening hunt.

Day two:
Dad was sick so Bob; Jimmy and I went to the cattails. The three of us did some walking; Jimmy and Bob did some calling with no luck but still hoping for an evening hunt. For the evening hunt we walked into Bear Wallow to try our luck. We saw two-mule deer and one nice 4x4 buck with a heavy rack, one doe, got a glimpse of a cow/calf so we sat and tried to do some calling but no luck was with us. The wind was blowing in the wrong direction. The wind was blowing our scent uphill towards the elk. We decided that we better get out of there and started on a stalk but had no luck.

Day three:
Some how dad and I could not get out of bed in the morning, Jimmy had come to the door to wake us up but we were snoring so hard that Jimmy had thought it would be a good day to sleep in. Later that morning we decided to make a plan for a new location for the evening hunt. For the evening hunt we walked into one of Bob’s favorite hunting spots, which has always in the past been a good producer of game. We walked up on a 4x4 and three cows which had broke over the ridge, we had sat down to try and call them back with no luck. But we did happen to see a bear and cub working through the area back to camp for dinner.

Day four:
We hunted Bear Wallow again and seen allot of black squirrels, chipmunks, a mule deer there was a doe was coming in to get a drink but she might have gotten spooked or winded us or saw some movement because she snorted and blew over the hillside. For the evening hunt we went back to where I missed the 5x6 bull and sat in a blind I heard 4 or 5 different bulls calling and seen three cows, two mule deer and my 5x6 bull he just would not come close enough. The closest we had seen him was approximately 140 yards down hill. We watched him bugle and round up his cows. They bedded down for the night and we will return in the morning.

Day five:
We went back to the blind and called on our way and heard 2 or 3 different bugles back at us. Jimmy and Bob sat behind us and made some cow calls and bugled trying to lure in the big boy. We seen a 3x4 at about 1500 yards away while my dad and I made a plan as to where to shoot from but he slipped into the brush and he had heard the big boy bugle and leave. For the evening hunt we went to the same spot and had no luck, we had seen nothing, Jimmy and Bob called and saw three cows but my dad and I saw nothing.

Day six:
Jimmy and I went to a lower part of the little forest but didn’t see any Bulls while my dad and Bob sat up high and trying to call something in for me. I did see two cows, one mule deer, one hen and seven chicks. Our evening hunt plan is to go to the blind down below the runways and park. We got the blind around 6:20 pm and there was a lot of action, we had 2 or 3 calls by 6:40 pm. Started calling into the valley below, it had taken a while but it lit up the bulls in that area. Bob had tried to get one to come up close but no luck was there with us and the last bit of shooting light was fading fast and 4 cows had come into the park area. Jimmy and I could not see any longer so we had to call it a night.

Day seven:
Move to rock cabins, no luck

Day eight:
Rain all day on and off, no hunting

Day nine:
We didn’t hunt in the morning due to the rain but we got out in the evening. We went out with Bob, Jonathon and Justin and all them guys are calling; as a bull was about to be in shooting range it started to downpour and thunder my luck ran out.

No I didn’t not get my elk but I had a wonderful time, the time I spent in Colorado with Bob, Jimmy and my dad and everyone else there I met will be with me the rest of my life.

Thank you to Benefit4Kids for making this happen for me, thank you to Rick Smith, Bob (Curly), Tim and Kip from Bear Creek Outfitters Lodge, Jonathon, Justin and West Muddy Cablow.

A special thank you goes out to Jim Reifert who took me under his wing and took me to the coolest spots and worked so hard to try to get me an elk, your awesome and will not be forgotten, thank you! Jim is also on the B4K Board of Directors.

Thank you to the Colorado Department of Wildlife for this opportunity to be the first recipient of this program.


Notes:
Benefit4Kids would like to thank Bob at Bear Creek Outfitters Lodge for donating their guide services. Benefit4Kids paid for all expenses for Lisa’s Outdoor Wish.

​Abigal Myslivecek
That last name may ring a bell for some who keep up with the kids we work with, as it should! Abigal Myslivecek is the sister of Daniel Myslivecek who went Elk Hunting in October of 2005 on his "wish" trip.

The Myslivecek family was dealt something we all fear of the kids we work with, of losing Daniel Melanoma just last summer. As if that wasn't bad enough. Thursday Night (4-5-07) B4K received a called from Daniels dad, Dean with another blow. Their 10-year old Daughter, Abigal, has been diagnosed recently with Apastic Anemia which is a rare condition where your body stops producing enough new blood cells, resulting in fatigue and leaving patients at much higher risks of infections and uncontrolled bleeding.
The good news in all this is that thanks to advances in treatments and medicines the positive outcome of this disease is very high!

Through a mutual friend, Abigal has been given a Turkey hunt in San Angelo TX with Jerry Golf (former Heavyweight Boxer) and Knockout Hunting Adventures, May 3rd-6th 2007. To make the story even better, Abigal has chosen to use a bow, which was given to Daniel shortly before his departure from us, but was never able to shoot because of his condition upon receiving the bow.

The only problem is the family can't afford the transportation costs to Texas and reluctantly Dean, contacted B4K asking for help. He hated to do it after everything we did for Daniel, but we reminded him that is why we are here! B4K has set up all the necessary travel arraignments and wish Abigal and the rest of the family the best! This hunt will also be filmed and featured on Jerry's "Knockout! Hunting Adventures" which airs on the MEN'S channel.

Dean called while still they were still down there telling me they had blast on the trip and wanted to let me know that Abigal was able to harvest a nice bird, with a bow, on film on Saturday May 5th! The ranch also worked out a deal to have the other 2 siblings hunt as well and everyone was successful!!!! Dean said the entire trip was great and memorable and the entire family was thankful for everything that has taken place in a combined effort with Kickapoo Outfitters and Benefit4Kids. He will be sending me pictures soon at which time I will post for everyone to see.

Dean also told me some good news about Abigal's condition. It seems that the treatment is working great and her blood cells counts are remaining up and there is an even more positive outlook now! Please keep Abigal and the entire Myslivecek family in your prayers, as they are not out of the woods yet.

Dean let us know that her hunt from earlier this month will air on the MEN'S Channel on Dish Network, on Memorial Day 2007! If you get the MEN's Channel look up "Knockout Hunting Adventures" with Jerry Goff on Memorial Day and you will see this young lady harvest her first turkey, using her brother, Daniel's, Bow! Congratulations Abigal on a nice bird!

​Greg Kornacki
Buffalo Hunting in Texas

             My name is Greg Kornacki.  I am 14 years old and live in Farmington Hills, MI.  Thanks to Benfit4Kids, I was able to make my dream of going big game hunting, come true.

            The day after Christmas 2006, my family and I flew out to Abilene, Texas to go buffalo hunting.  When we arrived in Abilene, we went to meet Rick Worley at Buffalo Mountain Ranch.  I got to practice target shooting with a 50 caliber muzzleloader.

            On December 27th, we returned back to the ranch to go on my hunt.  It was a beautiful 70 degree day, but a little windy.  Rick and his guides were able to track a big ten-year-old bull for me.  The bull, however, was not alone.  He was surrounded by a heard of buffalo and elk.  We slowly approached the herds with two pickup trucks and my parents, 2 brothers and sister following in a minivan.  I got out of the car and into my wheelchair while Rick set up my tripod.  (I was born with spina bifida and have always used a wheelchair).  I used the tripod to reduce the weight of the gun on my arms.  I got the muzzleloader ready and started watching the bull through my scope.  The buffalo was about 60 yards away.  I had to move myself and tripod several times until I could get an accurate shot.  The herd was constantly moving around.  At one point, all the vehicles were surrounded by elk and buffalo.  That’s when my mom got nervous and crawled back into the minivan through the open window.  I was so excited but I was concerned about how the rest of the herd was going to react when I fired the gun.

            Finally, I got the gun aimed and I had a clean shot so I fired.  Fortunately, the entire herd ran away from us.  The bull went maybe 100 yards and then fell.  He stayed down and never got back up.  A few of his buddies hung around and then took off too.  We all approached him about five minutes later.  He looked big when he was standing up, but he sure looked huge up close.

            It took only one shot and I got him right in the heart and lungs.  I couldn’t have been more accurate!  We took lots of pictures and I got to see the buffalo gutted too.  He turned out to weight 1800 lbs. with his head alone weighing 300lbs.  The whole experience was thrilling!  I am so glad I got to do it.  Now I have lots of fun showing off my pictures and remembering what I got to do over my Christmas break!

 

            Greg Kornacki  1/12/07