On the other Side of the Fence
By Jim Bradfish
From time to time a person finds a simple pleasure that after witnessed or performed, may bring back thoughts of the old days. The days when spending time in the woods meant getting up and in the woods an hour before sunrise just to be able to anticipate its warmth as it rose to push the darkness away.
Empowered Dream Hunts Inc. have adopted a ‘On the other side of the fence’ model which helps our non-profit organization create opportunities for persons with disabilities, life threatening diseases, or therapeutic relief.
Recently Empowered Dream Hunts Inc. had the privilege to participate in a bear hunt for an eleven year old wheelchair bound young man named Roy. As an individual, Roy is a sharp toothed, snappy and well-spoken person. Much like that young beginning hunter (probably relation, so you couldn’t boot them out) that arrived at your deer camp the night before opening day of gun season. Oh, I remember the old days.
Through the support of a community (which prefers to stay as an anonymous group of individuals and organizations) the story unfolds.
Earlier this year a generous bear tag holder decided that he wouldn’t be able to find the time to fulfill his commitment to the hunt. A phone call to Empowered Dream Hunts Inc., another call to the Central Wisconsin Conservation Club, leading to another call to a Zone A landowner. Wow, a hunt of a lifetime is on.
Our host’s land near Phillips Wisconsin, is truly a four hundred acre portrait of a hunter’s paradise. Roy’s host - benefactors were excited to be asked to participate in their first handicap bear hunt. New elevated platforms and ramps were constructed by the hosts - benefactors and others in the community. A blind was positioned on the platform and baiting began. The term host – benefactors is not a mistake. Through hours of fireside discussions, it was clear that this husband and wife couple and a community of friends without doubt realized that their generosity was coming back to them three fold. I know they would have been thrilled with a feeling of a tenth of what was returned to them. I think it’s a northern thing.
Roy and his father, Joe are hunting fanatics. Roy has participated in the youth hunts with a successful Doe hunt. Roy has already set a goal to top Joe’s trophy buck , shot a few years ago. Joe carries the picture with him as a reminder. Empowered Dream Hunts have scheduled Roy for a buck hunt later this year. When, Joe asked Roy if he would like to go on a bear hunt, Roy’s first reply was ‘but dad , I want to go on the deer hunt’. You can imagine the excitement when he was told he could do both.
Due to the terrain and distance to the blind, a modification was made to a small trailer that had to be elevated over rock, dirt and through trees by a large John Deere tractor. This was a bumpy, slippery ride for Roy and Joe. Plastic planks were laid down for Roy’s chair to maneuver to the twenty-five foot ramp leading to the platform. Father and son settled in the afternoon for their first night’s bear hunt.
Although there were plenty of bear in the area, they weren’t able to view a bear until the sun dropped below the tree line. Poor visibility and a missed shot prove that a lesson learned, is a lesson gained. Roy is using a specially designed apparatus that he can maneuver a clamped rifle, up and down and side to side. A Garmin sized screen is attached to the rifle scope to allow him to zero in on his target. Wednesday night’s hunt is over, but Roy and Joe are excited by future possibilities.
Two weekends later, on Saturday afternoon, Roy and Joe were once again lifted into this majestic forest to attempt another bonding experience. At approximately 4:30 p.m. I was scouting buck for future empowered hunts, when I received a text ‘all done. Roy and his bear are back at the cottage’. Calls were made for the scoop. As the story goes, Roy and Joe were positioned in the blind around 2:30. It was a calm fall like day and the wind was perfect. A nice black bear wondered into the bait pile. Joe spoke in a whisper that the bear was in a good position in the cross-haired screen and Roy should shoot. No time for any more discussion, Roy sucked through the trigger vacuum tube that activated the trigger mechanism and a round was fired. Joe said that the bear rolled around for several seconds, ‘Seemed like a minute’. Although a great shot was made, the bear shot off to the left and followed a ridge. Joe attempted to follow with his hand gun, but stopped to get back to Roy and call his hosts.
Roy’s experienced hosts – benefactors rushed out to track down the bear. Once the word got out, I am told the community gathered to celebrate Roy and Joe’s good fortune. I am also told, Roy’s personality and excitement telling his story of success prompted many photo opportunities.
Initially in the first few lines I mentioned simple pleasures. For the two years I have been involved in Empowered Dream Hunts Inc., I don’t think I am incorrect in the following definition.
Host – Benefactors :
The host in this story is Roy, yes Roy. The power within individuals with disabilities, and/or life threatening diseases is truly a blessing when it is able to be used to set and achieve goals. It is even more impressive when the individual uses their recognized accomplishments to help others attain their own seemingly unobtainable goals.
Host - a simple understanding of accomplishment that creates a simple pleasure or blessing in others.
Benefactor – a person who realizes the simple pleasure or blessing when it is offered.
Empowered Dream Hunts, Inc. wishes Roy and Joe’s new community all the simple pleasures and blessings that they can realize.
For more information on Empowered Dream Hunts Inc, contact:
Joe Ramsey
Empowered Dream Hunts Inc. Founder
Ramsey's International School of Wrestling Founder
www.empowereddreamhuntsinc.org
715-693-3322