Wesley’s Antelope Hunt

There are things that come along in your life that change you. Recently my family had one of those experiences. Earlier this year Wesley was chosen by Nevada Outdoorsmen in Wheelchairs for an antelope hunt in Dunphy, NV on the beautiful TS Ranch.

We arrived on the beautiful TS Ranch to be welcomed with open arms and friendly faces by Mike, Cody, Clint, Ronnie, and his son Tristen. They greeted us and helped us get settled. While showing us into the house, the other hunting recipient, Mike DeYoung and his wife Kristen and their daughter Grace arrived. By this time our family was overwhelmed. The generosity of this great organization and ranch was a lot to take in.

Upon arrival we were shown to the beautiful ranch style house we would be staying in. It was stunning! I do love beautiful old ranch houses. Our rooms were great, and the dining area was beautiful. It was filled with pictures from the ranch work being done from years past. I don’t know about your house, but the kitchen is the heart of ours and we made it the heart of the ranch house as well. We all gather, talked, shared stories of our families. In the morning we were joined by another guide, Larry and he taught us a lot about the conservation of the land and wildlife.

It was time for our first adventure. We all headed to just outside Elko, NV to go to a gun museum. The host Jeff Williams was such a kind man and showed us all of the guns and explained the history of several of them. Along with this great tour he allowed us to go to the gun range and shoot a .50 Caliber rifle. His son Joel was there to help his dad and he was also a guide on one of the hunts. Wesley was a little scared to shoot it because it is a large rifle and he figured it would kick like a mule. The guys got him in position on a shooting bench and he found the target and fired away. To his surprise it did not kick, so he shot it again. Mr. Williams was nice enough to let family members shoot as well. So, Blake and I took advantage of it. Ryan has shot one before, so he let us enjoy taking a shot. It was loud, but totally awesome at the same time. These are memories that will last forever.

When we got back to the ranch we were treated to a great Tri-Tip BBQ. Again, it was a great time of fellowship with some really great people. Matt Murray join the group that night. He is the guy who called Wesley and told him he was going hunting. We were join by a few more people that are part of Nevada Outdoorsmen in Wheelchairs. All of the people involved in this organization made us feel like family. Wesley is not an outspoken kind of kid. He is usually quite around adults, but this group of guys brought him out of his shell. Now he is talking to everyone!!  

After dinner the group surprised the hunters with some gifts from some of great people and companies. Again, being overwhelmed is an understatement. The generosity was a lot to take in. Tears rolled down my face, as well as Ryan’s. The surprise on Wesley’s face was so genuine. Blake helped him reach for all the different gifts and shared his joy. Wesley was outfitted to go hunting by many sponsors. From camo clothes, binoculars, shirts, hats, bags, cups, a handmade blanket and beanie, and a gun leather gun sling made by a former hunter turned guide, Clint Robinson. We would like to thank all the people and companies that put this together. Words will never describe what it meant to me and my family. People with special needs enjoy getting out just as much as everyone and it is organizations like this that help those possibilities happen.

It is Saturday morning at 5 am and it is time to HUNT!! To watch Wesley and his dad load up with Mike and Cody and head out brought such joy to my heart. Memories like these are priceless. Blake and I followed behind with our new dear friend Clint. I told him I felt sorry for him because he had us. I am not a hunter and have a hard time spotting the animals. Blake on the other hand is a great hunter for his age. We followed the dust cloud into the ranch finally reaching the hay fields where the antelope were eating.

The spotting scopes and binoculars came out and they spotted a herd. It was so mesmerizing to watch these hunters find there pray and figure out how they were going to get Wesley close enough for his shot. Wesley had his binoculars and he was in on the action as well. His excitement grew and he was ready for this. I mean he had been practicing and it was time to put the practice to good use.

So out into the pivots of alfalfa we went. Bump after bump we made it closer to the antelope, but it was not close enough, so new game plan. Back out of the pivots and around the hay field we went. This time they were close enough. Clint, Blake, and I stayed back so we didn’t rattle the antelope to much because well they love to run. While we waited for the hunters to get set, Blake, the great hunter that he is found 3 badgers. They sure were cute, from a distance!

We heard the first shot. It was a miss. Blake and Clint were watching intently to see what would happen next. We heard the second shot, he was hit. It was not a kill shot so he took off. Now the chase was on because you do not want to let the animal to suffer long. The skill and determination of the group of hunters was on point. They were all able to communicate and we were able to corner him and take him down. While we waited in our spot, I told Blake to go find a badger and he turned around and one was walking thru the field next to us. It was neat to watch it waddle around until it disappeared in a hole.

To see Wesley’s face when he rolled up on the track chair filled my heart. The look on his face is not one that I regularly see because I don’t hunt with him. The first thing he said was “Thank You” to the antelope. That made us so proud. You should never take one of God’s creatures for granted is something that we try and instill in our children.

Pictures were taken with huge smiles!! We sent pictures to family right away and before we could begin to process the buck Wesley got a phone call from his cousin and got to share his story. It was so special to hear him give details and have enthusiasm in his voice. That doesn’t usually happen. We get “it was good” from him most of the time.  It is just one more thing to be grateful for.

We got back to camp, and Mike was just getting back with the antelope he got as well. All the guys began to process the antelopes. Then they were sent out to a butcher to be cut and wrapped. We have never eaten antelope before now and it is delicious.

The rest of the day was spent reminiscing about the hunts that happened that day. We shared our final dinner that night. My husband has talked about how special hunting camp is. To be apart of one now and share the bonding and friendship has made has made us more like family. The next day it was time to go home and say goodbye to this amazing adventure we had. Leaving the TS Ranch gate was a little sad because our stay was so amazing.

It takes a lot to put something like this together and we must say that they hit the bullseye. To say Thank You doesn’t seem like enough when people have been so much to help fulfill a child’s passion.

We would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Nevada Outdoorsmen in Wheelchairs, The TS Ranch, Wonrate Gear, Vortex, Deadeye Outfitters, Cabela’s, Clint Robinson, and so many individuals that has supported this organization with donations or their time volunteering that have made this such a top notch organization.

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