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How many times have you asked yourself
just this year alone, “Why am I sitting
outside in this 90 degree plus or near zero temperature hunting deer?”
Last fall one of my long-time hunting buddies, Earl
McCauley, and I were enjoying the FHFH Hurricane Benefit Hunt at
Campbell Illinois Whitetail during early October attempting to endure
the record 103 degree heat, humidity and trophy mosquitoes. In less
than an hour after as Earl put it collecting nearly a bucket full of
mosquito hearts we pulled up stakes and headed in for a 7:30 am
breakfast. On the ride back to the Lodge I asked Earl what kind of a
tip we should provide to our guide, D.R. Mobley. With very little
thought he said, “I’d like to give him my new Mathews bow!” I replied,
“Are you crazy you love that bow - and it’s shooting like an Olympic
target bow.” Earl quietly told me how our 19 year old guide had been
admiring his new bow the day before as he laid one arrow after another
in the heart of the McKenzie deer target at 60 yards.
Earl not only gave him his new Mathews,
but during the months to follow, he has sent him a new sight, a dozen
and a half arrows and other treasured accessories. D.R. has been
pretty much on his own since age nine when his father died in a
logging accident. As we left camp at the end of the week Earl quietly
made D.R. another offer. Earl said, “If you ever need a home – just
head toward Virginia.” Earl not only ended the week with a heart shot
on a very large deer that he donated to the Gulf Coast hurricane
victims, but he left something in the heart of D.R. that will
accompany him the rest of his days.
I’m blessed to know many other hunters and
their families who give birthday presents, Christmas presents, beds,
clothing, school supplies and many other things to needy children and
families. The greatest teacher in history said, “It’s more blessed to
give that to receive.” So the next time you begin to wonder why you
hunt just remember that hunters who give more than they take are by
far the most blessed hunters. If you have a story about what you or a
friend did to help a neighbor in need please send it to me at rick@fhfh.org
or P.O.Box 323, Williamsport, MD 21795. We’d like to share some of
your stories with the world in our up-coming issues of “For I Was
Hungry” and the FHFH on-line News Magazine.
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