I’m proud to say I’m a life member of the North American Hunting Club, and on November 27, 2006, while hunting a small farm in Maryland, I took one of the largest non-typical white-tailed deer ever recorded on the entire East Coast, which I nicknamed “Big Buck.” It scores 268-1/8 Boone and Crockett Club points, sporting 28 scorable points.
From the very beginning, I wanted to do something special with this extremely extraordinary circumstance. I figured if I took my time with this opportunity, God would lead me in the correct direction and show me how to best handle the publicity generated by Big Buck—and, of course, He did.
After a ton of phone calls and e-mails, friend Gary Mason told me to contact Dave Norval, which turned out to be one of the best phone calls of my life. After a few more calls with Norval and Dr. John Waples, president of Kids Hunting for a Cure (KHFAC), I knew I had to be a part of what they were doing. Dr. Waples and Norval are two amazing men with hearts bigger than the state of Tennessee. I’ve since accepted the responsibility to be the assistant executive director for KHFAC.
Kids Hunting for a Cure is an amazing nonprofit organization that brings adults and children together in God’s great outdoors to raise money for cancer research. Everyone involved in the program has either been affected by or knows someone that’s been affected by cancer.
Hunters are some of the greatest people in North America, and we at KHFAC are always looking for support to advance our mission and reach more kids in need. Today’s society is so fast-paced that it’s easy to forget what’s important. Take a few minutes and think about your first hunting experience, or first time in the outdoors. Reflect back and remember how exciting and special it was. That first trip could’ve been with your dad or uncle, or maybe your mother, brother or even sister. What’s important is that you were introduced to the outdoors and hunting by another hunter. This education system is very important to ensure this great sport is here for future generations to enjoy.
When you see a picture of Big Buck —or see a picture of Bucky, our KHFAC mascot—let your mind drift back to your first hunt or most memorable deer, and consider helping those kids still searching for those same experiences.
Every hunter has to start somewhere, and there are plenty of young guns waiting for your guidance. Good luck and safe hunting to all of my brothers and sisters in the Club.