Luke's first deer
Phil Taunton
Friday, December 28, 2007
Once again, I had the opportunity to participate in a wonderful experience for young hunters provided by the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operation Corporation and the Wolf Creek Green Team.
The Wolf Creek youth antlerless deer hunt was quite a success despite the weather.
No amount of sleet and freezing rain that fell during the weekends of Dec. 1-2 and 8-9 would dampen the spirit of these youthful hunters!
Deer hunting has a heritage and tradition all its own, and the employees of Wolf Creek are head-over-heels involved in getting the kids out for a quality, safe, fun-filled deer-hunting experience. Fun, yes, and another goal of the hunt is to familiarize the kids with firearm safety rules and ethical deer-hunting practices.
During the actual hunt, employees of Wolf Creek voluntarily act as guides. Each young hunter also goes afield with a mentor to share their experience.
Luke Gitchel of Emporia got his Kansas Safe Hunter Certificate from Roger Wells this past October, and Roger mentored Luke during this hunt.
A deer pre-hunt and range safety seminar was held Nov. 24 on the firing range at the Wolf Creek Generating Station, where the kids had the opportunity to shoot and sight in the rifles they were going to use during their hunt.
In previous years, some of the kids did not have a firearm that fit them properly. This year, a generous donation by Bluestem Farm and Ranch of Emporia helped provide the Wolf Creek team with two new youth deer rifles complete with scopes for the kids to use.
Luke shot Roger’s 30-06 rifle for the first time during range safety day and used it to harvest his deer.
Blaze orange hats and orange safety hunting vests were given to all the hunters by the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operation Corporation. Dale Berry, a Wolf Creek employee, guide and hunter education instructor, bought the kids several deer permits, and the Emporia Area Chapter of Quail Unlimited also provided financial assistance for this year’s permits.
One of my favorite parts of a hunt is participating in the hunter’s lunch. I love the camaraderie, hearing the kids’ stories and feeling their excitement. Soda, chili, grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, along with deer jerky and summer sausage were provided to the cold, hungry hunters as they came in from the fields.
Special thanks to Dolly Madison for the cinnamon rolls and donuts.
A tip of the hat to Daniel Haines, Dave Peavler, Warren Befort and the entire Wolf Creek Nuclear Operation Corporation Green Team for providing the kids, their families and mentors this wonderful opportunity to learn about deer hunting safety and to harvest a deer. This year marks the seventh year the Youth Deer Hunt has been offered to the kids. Wolf Creek also sponsors a Youth Turkey Hunt.
Congratulations to Payton Crummey, Luke Gitchel of Emporia, Jordan Gutsch, Skyler Hively, Jacob Pearson of Americus and Renato Pinto on their first deer. All the kids got to see and hear wild turkey during their hunts, and one group of hunters was entertained for the longest time by the antics of four bobcats.
That would be a sight to see!
Youth hunters not successful during the first portion of this year’s hunt will have another opportunity to harvest a deer during the weekend of Jan. 5-6.
For the birds
Wondering what to do with your Christmas tree?
You might string unsalted peanuts and popcorn then drape the offering around the tree.
Place the tree outside by your bird feeder and secure it to a stake. The tree offers shelter and another source of food for the birds in your yard.
Comments
We allow registered users to post comments on this Web site. To learn more about our posting policies please read our User Poster Agreement Policy.
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.