One Hunter’s Generosity...
8-15-2013
There are a lot of Wisconsin hunters and anglers out there who are just good to people less fortunate, literally for goodness sake. Meet Jeremy Clark, a carpenter from Sullivan who started to apply for a coveted Wisconsin bear tag more than a decade ago not because he wanted to tag a black bear, but so he could pass the tag on to a young hunter who would simply appreciate the opportunity; an opportunity he probably would have not otherwise had.
“At first, I just wanted to do something nice for someone else,” said Clark, an avid bowhunter for deer who accumulated 13 bear preference points before deciding this year to purchase and transfer the tag. “Then I read that Mike Foss donates guided hunts for kids with cancer (or other life threatening illnesses). I thought that would be the place to donate my tag.”
Professional Guide Mike Foss does donate hunts. He is not only a hard-working, knowledgeable guide, but he has a huge heart. I’ve seen the soft side when some of the kids have passed on.
I have sat on stands with the kids who have been recipients of hunter generosity. I will be in Foss’s Northern Wisconsin Outfitters camp again in September and looked forward to putting the spotlight on this newest young hunter who was traveling in from out of state. Sadly, the boy’s doctor said his health is presently such that he didn’t want to push the strain of travel or the hunt. Hopefully he will be well enough next year to take his stand.
Because of the time it takes to find and set up a young person with health problems, Mike Foss asked if I had a young family member who would appreciate Jeremy Clark’s tag. That’s all Jeremy cared about; placing the tag into someone’s hands who would appreciate the hunt.
A Young Mike Foss bear hunter scores.
I thought for two days about what I wanted to do with that tag. I take kids without dads hunting and OWO supports the organizations out there helping the wounded and the sick and the less fortunate in the field, but in the end, time was too short to find and prepare a hunter I don’t know. I also don’t know if throwing an inexperienced hunter into a bear hunt three weeks out as a first field experience is the best choice either. I usually start with doves or pheasants or an antler search and as usual, want to keep the odds of a wounded bear minimal.
So, my nephew Mike Ellis’s 16-year old son Cole, an experienced hunter from Wausau, fell into the tag. My family is grateful for the opportunity, but also expressed sincere remorse that the young hunter isn’t well enough to do this all himself.
We’ll be telling the story from the field. I want to thank Jeremy Clark personally for Cole’s tag, but more so for taking the time and effort to apply for a tag he knew he would use only to thrill someone else. When I introduced myself on the phone to extend that thanks, I left him with an assurance that he would be reimbursed for the license cost.
“I don’t want any money,” Jeremy said. “I’m still thrilled that someone is using it who will appreciate it as much as the next kid.”
Now why, didn’t that surprise me?
Talk again soon. Thanks for connecting with On Wisconsin Outdoors. Shoot straight.
Dick Ellis