Latest Activity
Kids Hunting for Hope
To check out some photos from the even click here.
The Gopher Plantation was host to 8 special kids HUNTING FOR HOPE on April 18th and 19th.
These kids, along with parents, grandparents and caregivers, checked into their rooms Friday afternoon, and then enjoyed a reptile exhibit with Tyler Lott. After viewing the reptiles up close with careful handling, the kids were served dinner. Afterwards Rev. Bob Pierce gave an inspiring message.
Breakfast was served at 7:00 A.M. Saturday, and all departed on the hunt afterwards.
All kids had guides. The kids that were mobile went on a spot and stalk hunt for wild boar. The kids in wheelchairs were strapped in the seats of a 2 seater UTV. Each followed the dogs chasing boar until the boar was caught. Then, they dispatched the mad critter.
The other kids hunted hogs with dogs.
The hogs were processed and taxidermy work performed by staff and supporters.
Ray Finn and Hog Dawgs were also at the Gopher Plantation. They made video of all events and plan to have the kids on their National TV Show at a later date.
These special kids have faced many challenges in their lifetime, yet they have a positive outlook. The smiles , thank yous and hugs after a successful hunt, make the event special to the supporting staff that made the event possible.
A brief notation of the issues these brave kids have confronted are noted below.
Jaxsen Hunkapillar – 16 years old
8 years ago he was diagnosed with Chronic Granulomatous
Disease (CGD),
a
white blood cell disorder. He had a bone marrow transplant. He is
now
cured,
but has regular check-ups and is on medication.
Keegan
Jackson – 15 years old
At
age 11, Keegan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL),
and
Monosomy 7. Keegan went through 9 months of chemo and a bone marrow transplant.
He is now in remission.
Madison Jones – 9 years old
Madison
was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), on 1/20/10.
She
has completed her treatment and is in remission.
Slade Lott – 18 years old
Slade was diagnosed with Fanconi Anemia, a very rare disease, and in September 2012 underwent a bone marrow transplant. He was in Cincinnati, Ohiio for prep and post-transplant for 6 months.
Afterwards,
it was determined that during this procedure he developed scar
tissue
on his heart. Now he has to take daily medication for his heart.
Ronnie McNabb – 22 years old
Ronnie
was 3 months premature when he was born. He has Cerebral Palsy.
He
is legally blind, with no motor skills in any limbs, except, some
minor control
in
left hand and left arm. He is in a wheel chair. As he sits in his
wheel chair, he
uses
a special apparatus to aim and fire his rifle.
Little Bill Sharpe – 16 years old
He was in an automobile accident that killed his mother and left him in a wheelchair.
Scott Sikes – 16 years old
Scott was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2011. The malignant tumor was removed in 2013. Scott had memory and focus issues. He is on medications for post operative seizures.
Austin Solomon – 18 years old
Austin is in a wheelchair because of Spina Bifida, (an opening in the spine that had to
be closed at birth). Austin has had approximately 16 surgeries.
He doesn’t have any feeling at all from the knees down. From the waist to his knees, he has a little feeling.
The Gopher Plantation plans to make Hunting For Hope an annual event for special kids from this area.
To check out some photos from the even click here.
The Double Drop Tines
This monster buck was killed Friday November 21st by Brian Stone from Maclenny, Florida. Brian, his brothers, and several of his friends have hunted here at the plantation for several years now. Brian and some friends drove up Friday afternoon just for the evening hunt. They all got taken to their stands along with several other hunters that were in camp and everyone got ready for the evening hunt. Brian said he had started seeing more and more deer the closer it got to that magic hour before dark. There were several does in the food plot when a 6 point came in and started grunting and chasing a doe around the food plot. Unbeknownst to Brian there was a double drop tined buck looming off the edge of the food plot. The drop tined buck had evidently heard the rutting commotion from the doe and 6 point, because Brian said some of the does started looking into the woods not 30 yards from the stand. Brian focused his attention there and out comes the big buck who pauses briefly then starts trotting toward the other buck and doe. Brian reacts quick and takes a trotting shot to kill the big buck in the food plot not 50 yards from his stand. Brian's buck has 13 scorable points with matching split G2s and matching double drop tines. The longest drop tine measured over 9" and the other was nearly 7". Congratulations again Brian on the buck of several lifetimes from the Gopher Plantation crew.
If you would like to see more of this monster buck click here.
