Youth gun hunt celebrated last weekend

Last weekend saw one of the most exciting times in a young outdoor person’s life — the youth gun hunt, which took place statewide.

Three young men from the eastern part of our state participated and harvested their first deer. The boys — Ryker Ellis, J.D. Jones and Turtle Burgess — all attend Braggs School and are between 12 and 13 years old.

“James Burk took us hunting and really wanted us to get a deer since it was our first time,” Ellis said. “I love hunting so much now. We got in the deer blind and sat there. Then, we saw two deer, but I couldn’t get a clear shot. I waited and saw one more and I finally got him.”

“At first, I saw turkeys, raccoons and squirrels,” Jones said. “Then, the deer ran past me. The deer came back, and I waited for what felt like a lifetime. Then, I placed a good shot. I like how the youth get a season for themselves, and it gives the youth a first pick of the deer.”

Ellis and Jones each took a doe. This is important for the health of the deer herd and game management.

The boys skinned out Jones’ harvest at the house, and they took Ellis’s doe to a processor.

Grandfather Chris Perry, had taken Burgess before but this was his first time to get a deer. It was a tall eight-pointer that would have tickled any adult.

Hunting on private property, Burgess waited patiently in a small boat that served as his deer blind. Upon leaving the boat, he stealthily crept up when he saw six does come through and trailing behind was the buck.

Burgess called his nerves, got a good solid rest for the gun and took his shot using a Savage 243. The deer traveled about 60 yards.

“Basically, it was the most exciting day of my life,” Burgess said. “I enjoy hunting and can’t wait to go again.”

Perry taught Burgess how to skin out his harvest, and now the taxidermist is mounting his trophy.

In this day and age, I want to commend these men for taking the time to invest in the future of these boys. These youth hunts are something they will remember for the rest of their lives.

John Kilgore is the former Greenleaf State Park manager. He can be reached by emailing him at jkilgoreoutdoors@yahoo.com.