Bossier Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Dream Hunt Foundation recently to provide the hunting experience of a lifetime for a couple of boys with physical disabilities.
Chief Deputy Duane Huddleston, Lt. Billy Jones, and Dep. Steve Dooley shared their loved of hunting with young Ryan Davis and Gage Moseley at the Bossier Sheriff’s Office wooded area in northern Bossier Parish on Oct. 6. Both boys are bound to wheelchairs; Ryan is a paraplegic from the waist down, and Gage has a leg and arm amputated.
“The two boys were already buddies from spending time together in Shriners Hospital,” said Jeff Warren, founder of Dream Hunt Foundation and organizer of hunting and fishing experiences for kids since 2013.
“Our mission is to make a difference in the lives of children or teenagers that are disabled, terminally ill, or disadvantaged,” Warren said. “Our foundation takes kids who are between the ages of 8-18 years old on hunting and fishing trips. Special arrangements are made to accommodate the needs of each child to ensure that the trip is enjoyable, safe, and memorable.”
And memorable it was. Ryan was able to harvest a doe in the morning and a 6-point buck in the afternoon. But it didn’t come easy, as the guide with Ryan had to shift his wheelchair and gun into a completely different position when the buck came into their view. They had their aiming position facing the feeders, but the buck came in from another direction.
“It was actually very hard to get the deer in the right place to shoot,” said Ryan. But he was able to get into position and get off the shot. “As soon as it ran, I thought I missed.” But it was a good shot, and Ryan is grateful for the experience.
“I thank the Bossier Sheriff’s people and Dream Hunt,” he said.
Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington is pleased to host the young hunters and team with Dream Hunt as they support these young people who might not otherwise enjoy the hunting experience.
“It’s one of the best programs I’ve ever seen,” said Sheriff Whittington. “These volunteer hunters and deputies dedicate their time to help these young people get out and about and into a deer stand, who otherwise would not be able to because of different difficulties they face,” he said. “I trust young Ryan and Gage had an awesome time!”
Warren said kids from neighboring states enjoyed a hunting experience as well, and it’s all “to provide them a positive experience in a tough season of their life, teach them principles from a trusted adult that goes beyond the hunt, and create a platform to share the hope we have in Christ.”
How can you get involved in Dream Hunt? Warren explains.
“We work closely with multiple hospitals to locate children that are eligible,” he said. “Our goal is to provide these children and their families with wonderful lasting experiences that may change their lives.”
You can find out more by checking Dream Hunt Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.
See a gallery of photos below:
AWESOME!
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