People usually have years to create hunting memories, but for children with life-threatening illnesses that is not often the case. Fortunately, there are organizations that understand the importance of experiencing hunting and the outdoors. These organizations work with children everyday who have these illnesses to plan an adventure, and hunt of a lifetime.
This is especially good news since Make-A-Wish Foundation (the organization most well known for fulfilling end-of-life wishes) has refused to arrange hunting trips for the last year despite granting thousands of other requests like trips to Disney World, or meeting famous celebrities. Many say this is in response to strong criticism from animal rights groups. Parents of sick children are not often aware of this loophole within the Foundation’s policies. Those who have been turned away from the Foundation because their child would like to hunt as a final wish now have several organizations to choose from that are filling the void and helping fulfill these important requests.
Brandon Schmitz with 50″ wide bull elk. Mt. View Elk Ranch donated space to hunt. (Danny Benson photo)
Read more of guest post writer Kristen Schmitt’s article at goHUNT.
Learn more about Hunt of a Lifetime, United Special Sportsman Alliance, Outdoor Dream Foundation, Take ‘Em Outdoors and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, which all sponsor hunts for terminally children.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
Wow! This is definitely something that you DO NOT see everyday! I’m happily surprised to see that organizations are fulfilling hunting wishes. Kids have all kinds of wishes and it’s great that people are realizing that not all kids just want to go to Disney World or want to meet a celebrity. So great to see this! 🙂
This organization is a true blessing! My 9 year old son suffers from a rare form of muscular dystrophy and faces a harsh reality of progressively deteriorating muscles. (Including heart, and lungs) so I guess you could say time is of the essence to experience dreams when he is somewhat still able to walk.
We were contacted last march that Kaden was going elk hunting in Idaho! And in one of the most coveted units for elk hunters.
We arrived in Idaho a few days early to meet the volunteers who are all hunters that are more than passionate to pass this lifestyle on to the less fortunate. From the minute we arrived it was just a whirlwind of good deeds! From treating is as family, to Cabela’s fully outfitting Kaden for his hunt! I just can’t say enough about all the amazing people that made my boy’s dream come true as all 11 volunteers in camp worked hard to help the two boys be successful, and for just this one week everything was on their terms and no dream was to big to make reality! God bless the Hunt of a Lifetime!
http://huntofalifetime.org