Kansas Forest Service Youth Deer Hunt
October 12th-13th, 2019
Every year, the Kansas Forest Service (KFS) hosts a youth deer hunt for 4 individuals. Typically chosen based on applications, District Fire Management Officer, Dennis Carlson was having a difficult time filling these youth spots. We just so happened to have 3 youth on our wait list to go deer hunting. Youths Quinn, Guidry and Cody were all signed up to hunt.
The Kansas Forest Service has been around since 1887. The Kansas Forest Service, successor to the Kansas Commissioner of Forestry Office, is the Nation’s fifth oldest state forestry agency. Created by legislative act in 1887, the Agency celebrates its anniversary every year on March 10th. The Agency serves rural landowners, communities, rural fire districts, forest and agriculture industries, and citizens of the state through its Conservation Tree and Shrub Planting, Fire Management, Community Forestry, Rural Forestry, Marketing and Utilization, and Forest Health programs. The Kansas Forest Service state office is located in Manhattan, KS, just off the campus of Kansas State University. The Kansas Forest Service is housed as an independent agency within K-State Research and Extension.
Father, Chris Houseman eagerly signed up his two children, Quinn and Guidry for the youth hunt on KFS land. Chris spent a lot of time int he outdoors fishing and camping with his dad and was involved in the Boy Scouts, but his father was not that interested in hunting resulting in Chris not having the opportunity to hunt in his younger years without a mentor to show him the way. However, he had several outstanding brother-in-laws that introduced him to turkey hunting and then later deer hunting. Along the way, he met other friends that introduced him to archery, waterfowl and upland bird hunting. This is a prime example of what strong mentoring can do to spark the passion of hunting. Chris said “Without these people, I can safely say I probably would not have pursued my passion for hunting. I would have just spent more time just being a really lousy golfer.”
Chris works hard everyday to get his children outdoors. Quinn was foiled by the youth season weather in September (way too hot and buggy), but gave deer hunting another try. Guidry, the youngest of the family, was eager to go and reaped the benefits having the opportunity to hunt with Kansas Forest Service mentor, Dave Bruton.
All three youth met at El Dorado State Park Range Facility where the hunters received a lesson on gun safety and an opportunity to test their shooting skills at the range and get comfortable with the rifles. All of the youth took the field with their mentors. Chris said, “I stayed back at camp with Dennis Carlson and waited anxiously during the hunt. After about 90 minutes we heard our first gunshot and Dennis received his first text that Guidry had harvested his first deer. I was able to ride along with Dennis to the blind and recovered the doe. The look of excitement and accomplishment on Guidry’s face was more than words can describe.” By the time Guidry got back to camp, the sound of another shot being fired rang out and first time deer hunter, Cody shot and harvested his first deer. “It was so rewarding to get to spend time at the camp with the other youth hunters and their mentors when they arrived back at camp. Listening to them share their stories with each other like seasoned hunters” said Chris. A third shot rang out and another youth hunter was successful at filling his tag.
After a third deer was taken and prepared at camp they were waiting on one last hunter, Quinn. With the last minutes of hunting time ticking down we heard a shot. Everyone in camp was thrilled she had taken her first deer. However, the excitement was soon replaced with mild disappointment. She had missed. They looked around for awhile and saw no evidence of a connecting shot. “On the way back to camp, Quinn although disappointed with her lack of success, was excited to share the details of her day. They had seen many deer and watched as a few bucks moved into the area and stirred up the does” said Chris.
Down but not out, Dennis told Quinn she was welcome to come back and try again in the morning. She was eager and did not let the night’s events get the best of her. After a warm meal provided at deer camp by the mentors we were ready to return the next morning after a short night’s sleep. The next day we returned before sunrise. Quinn was joined by older brother Jackson who was given a chance to hunt due to another hunter dropping out. Jackson went out with Keith, while I was able to sit in the blind with Quinn.
Shortly after sunrise we heard a shot and Jackson ended a quick and successful hunt. Quinn waited patiently as does moved into the area, but provided few targets. She watched as the does moved in and out of the timber with a large buck in close proximity. Finally the group spread out and she was given an open shooting window on a mature doe. With a flash of the barrel, the doe jumped back on her hind legs and ran into the timber.
Chris said, “after the excitement of the shot we were not completely certain she had made the 70 yard shot. It was too soon to tell. It was a long, long thirty minute wait. Finally, after emerging from the blind we were joined by the other mentors to search for the doe. After retracing the deer’s steps we spotted the fallen doe. She was successful.”Quinn was matched with Kansas Forest Service mentor, Cassie Wandersee. “It was a great opportunity for Quinn to meet a female mentor like Ms. Wandersee that could share her hunting experiences and knowledge. Quinn has always gone out with the guys and had a great time, but it was really special for her to have a chance to spend time with another woman in the field” said Chris.
All in a weekends worth of deer hunting, 4 youth were able to harvest their first deer with the help and generous donation of time and opportunity from others. Chris described his favorite memory of the hunt as “The look of pride and accomplishment each of the children felt. It was a proud parent moment watching them take pride in their harvest, but it meant even more, to see how respectful and appreciative they were for the time and energy that went into providing this hunt by all of the mentors and the Kansas Forestry Service.” Guidry’s favorite was shooting his first deer with success. Undoubtedly, Quinn’s favorite memory was “getting to sit in the blind and just watch the deer up close. I had gone out several times before and felt disappointed because I had never seen anything. When I shot my deer we initially thought that I missed… again. I was so nervous and scared to know if I actually shot her or not. When we found my deer on the ground I felt very relieved. I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to go on this hunt. I also really enjoyed meeting Cassie” she said.
These youth, mentors, and parents all walked away from this hunt with memories that will last a lifetime, self confidence, pride, meat to put in the freezer, and friendships with their peers. Congratulations to the youth hunters and the Kansas Forest Service for hosting an incredible deer hunt for all parties involved!
Special thanks from the Houseman family:
Chris: I would like to thank the Steve Smith (who told us about the program), Brittany Waldman, Outdoor Mentors and Kansas Forest Service for making memories for our family that will last a lifetime. Sharing this day with Dave Carlson and all of the mentors and youth hunters was one of my favorite hunting experiences.
Guidry: I thought this was a neat opportunity. It was a very cool experience and I encourage other youth hunters, especially boys that are around my age to come and try out this program. I’d also like to thank Dave, Dennis, Keith, Cassie, and others that that took time out of their day to come set up this hunt for other kids, like me to get to the outdoors and hopefully get a deer.
Quinn: I really enjoyed this opportunity. It was an amazing experience and I encourage other youth hunters, especially girls to go out and try this program. I have gotten a lot more confident in my hunting and shooting skills after this hunt. I now know how to clean a deer, properly shoot a rifle, and the correct placement to shoot a deer. I’d also like to thank Cassie, Dennis, Dave, Keith, and anyone else to worked to set up this hunt or that helped with this hunt.