Safari Club International Lansing Area Chapter

Damien Gerics, his grandfather Jim Lanford, who is also a Lansing Chapter member, and I ventured to beautiful Deer Tracks Ranch in mid September for Damien’s Safari Wish Hunt. The expert and compassionate Deer Tracks guides and staff were there to greet us. Soon we were joined by five more hunters, parents, and other SCI Chapter Sponsors. Craig Mortz of the Novi Chapter coordinated the event again this year. All six of our young hunters were battling a serious health problem. Our Damien bravely deals with life as a victim of autism.

Things got underway with lunch on Thursday where each hunter was presented with a new pair of “Rocky” boots, camo clothes, and other hunting gear donated by Gander Mountain. Then they each test fired their rifles in preparation for the evening hunt. Soon after a light dinner at 4:00 pm each hunter, with a parent, joined a guide and a cameraperson for a four-wheeler trip to their designated blind somewhere on the 1800-acre ranch. Damien had Scott as his guide, and his cameraperson was the pretty, young Kelly Gotch, Associate Producer of MUCC’s outdoors show. As they sped off, the rest of us had to wait around the lodge hoping to hear a distant rifle shot. After dark the hunters started returning one by one with various stories of deer sightings but no deer. Then Damien and crew showed up grinning from ear to ear with a nice 8-point for the buck pole. I think Kelly was even more excited than Damien, if that is possible. Damien had followed guide Scott’s instructions perfectly, resulting in his deer dropping where it stood, no tracking required.

Hunting for the other boys continued each morning and evening with three more happy hunters Friday night, one more Saturday morning, and finally, to everyone’s joy and relief, the last hunter made a perfect shot on his buck Saturday night. I wish all of you could have experienced the joy on the faces and in the voices of these young boys as they stood by their trophies and verbally relived their hunts.

Hopefully, Damien can join us at our Fundraiser next March, where I am sure he will gladly tell you about his Safari Wish Hunt.

Humanitarian Projects

Helping our fellow man is an integral part of the activities of the Lansing Area Chapter of SCI. Here are some of our Humanitarian projects completed since our formation in the year 2000:

SCI got into the “Safari Wish Hunt” program after hearing about the young man who wanted to hunt an Alaskan brown bear and was turned down by the politically correct Make a Wish Foundation. SCI people took him on that hunt.

If you know of a young person with a life threatening illness that wishes to hunt a trophy whitetail, please contact:

Jim Leonard

517.323.3361

Kevin's Diary

Kevin Douglas, is a 15-year-old young man who the chapter sent on a cow elk hunt donated by Elkhorn Outfitters Inc. in November, 2004. Click above to read his diary of the trip.

Veterans of Iraq War Go Hunting

By Jim Ellis

It all started with watching a program about veterans of the Iraq War and their sacrifices in being away from their families as they defend our freedoms back here in America. My wife, Sally, suggested that the Lansing Area Chapter of SCI find a way to thank, symbolically, all the soldiers of the US Military by sending two soldiers on a hunt of a lifetime. The Lansing Area Chapter had prided itself on its humanitarian efforts in the past, sending sick young people on hunts of a lifetime, so we expected little opposition as the matter was brought to the board of directors for approval. Once explained, the concept was enthusiastically approved by the board, and I began to work out details.

The first hurdles to overcome were to select the soldiers and to find a place to take them hunting. The selection of hunt destination proved to be the easiest. As I said earlier, we had previously taken several youths hunting here in Michigan, and I was leery of imposing upon the gracious hospitality of the people who had helped us in the past. So I contacted Lansing Chapter member, Tom Nelson, who has many contacts in the hunting industry as a result of his affiliation with American Bowhunter Magazine and his TV show “American Archer.” Tom informed me, after hearing what we had planned, that he had a few ideas and would call me in a few days. It was only an hour or so later that Tom called to say that he had talked with Doug Roberts of the Michigan Deer Breeders Association. Doug enthusiastically supported the idea and arranged for the hunt to take place at The Paradice Hunt Club near Gladwin, Michigan for whitetail deer. Tom further stated that Wolf Creek Productions, producers of his TV show among others on the Outdoor Channel, would send a cameraman to record the hunt for use on a future program. After talking with Doug Roberts personally, the dates were set and I began to make contact with the military to help find our soldiers.

After several phone calls and meetings, I talked with Col. James Anderson of the Michigan National Guard, who advised me he and the appropriate staff would help in selecting soldiers, a very difficult task since there were so many deserving personnel. As criteria were discussed, we decided that the soldiers should be veterans from the Iraq or Afghan conflict, who had been injured as a result of their service, had left family and jobs behind, loved to hunt, and would represent the military and SCI appropriately.

Several days later I received a call with the names of two chosen soldiers. The first -- Sgt. Teal Saylor -- served in Iraq for 12 months and sustained a shoulder injury requiring surgery. The second soldier was Spc. Shane Farlin who had been in Iraq less than four months when he lost his right eye and sustained several shrapnel wounds to his face and arm during a skirmish. The conversations I had with the soldiers by phone were just a prelude to the gratitude they would express in coming weeks. Both men were hugely appreciative and humbled to have been selected. Paperwork was forwarded and final arrangements made to meet at Mike Malik’s Paradice Hunt Club.

Upon arriving at the hunt club, my wife, Sally, and I were greeted by manager/guide Kevin Benjamin and guide Herb Lorentz. Sgt. Saylor and Spc. Farlin had already arrived, and we were soon joined by Kraig Westfall, Wolf Creek Production cameraman, who would record the event for use in the television productions. After a good lunch we headed to the range to sight in the rifles. This took only a few minutes as we discovered that Shane and Teal had both received expert marksman awards in training. The only small issue was that Shane had to shoot left handed for the first time due to the loss of his normal “shooting eye.” Both soldiers shot 1” groups at a 100 yds., and Teal hit the bulls eye at 200 yds. even with his injured shoulder.

We split into two groups and headed out to the hunting blinds. Shane, Kevin and Sally went to one blind, while Teal, Herb, Kraig and I went to another. The prospects did not look good. The temperature had gone up and a severe fog had set in. Visibility was less than 30 yards but, hoping for the best, the groups headed to the blinds. After only 45 minutes Kevin radioed Herb, saying, “We’re done.” We assumed they were quitting, due to limited visibility, and Herb said that we were having trouble seeing too but would stay out until dark. Kevin laughed and said, “No, we’re done. Shane has a 10-point down in the field. He made a great shot!” Everyone was thrilled and when we returned to the lodge high fives and hugs were exchanged and stories told. Shane’s smile was truly infectious and a thrill to experience.

We all had a great chicken dinner prepared by the club’s chef, Pat McGuire, and traded hunting and Iraq war stories. Everyone listened intently as Shane and Teal told what it was like in Iraq. It made us all appreciative of the efforts and sacrifices they had made defending our freedoms.

The second day dawned cooler but very windy. Teal, Herb, Kraig, and I headed for the blind. Things were slow, as few deer appeared to be moving. Herb expressed some concern as several deer, before daylight, had appeared to be already bedded. At 8:30 a nice buck began to chase a doe out of the thick brush to the right of the blind. Herb said that it was a “shooter” and hoped it would move out of the thick stuff and present an opportunity for a shot. After several minutes the doe moved out into the open, and sure enough, the buck followed. Just as Teal raised his rifle for a shot, the doe began to move away and the buck began to slowly follow. Teal steadied and put his .270 right behind the shoulder as the buck was walking. The buck went about 30 yards and folded into the underbrush. The smile on Teal’s face and the excitement in his voice made all the work, and fundraising we had done at the Lansing SCI Chapter truly worthwhile.

Everyone regrouped at the lodge for pictures and interviews for Wolf Creek Productions. Shane told us all how appreciative he and his wife Jennifer would be to get the venison as their budget was tight, with a new baby, and groceries were tough to come by.

Teal stated that since he lives on a farm and raises some animals now, he would be making his entire deer into jerky to be sent to Iraq for use by the soldiers who are still there.

I have to say that my wife, Sally, and I have been fortunate to make many friends around the hunting world and have been fortunate, as well, to have been on many wonderful hunts. But this trip, spent with our Iraq veterans, will always standout as a true highlight.

Special thanks must go out to all who made this possible: First, the donors and supporters of Lansing Area Chapter SCI; Tom Nelson; Mike Malik; Doug Roberts; and the staff of Paradice Hunt Club. But most of all, we hope this hunt for two of our courageous soldiers, wounded in the line of duty, in some small way says THANK YOU to all of our soldiers, and their families, around the world. You all have our prayers for your safe return home.

SAFARI WISH HUNT 2004

By Jim Leonard

Again this year, our Lansing Area Chapter sponsored a young person to partake in a dream Whitetail hunt at the magnificent Deer Tracks Ranch in northern Michigan. John Rhoades, who is recovering from a serious bout with cancer, was accompanied by his brother Larry and myself for three days of perfect weather at Deer Tracks. John was one of six successful young hunters, all with serious health problems. It was an opportunity for each of the hunters, along with their parents or other escort, to temporarily forget their problems and truly enjoy the camaraderie that quickly developed, as well as the beautiful north woods teeming with deer, elk, turkeys, and other critters. Craig Mortz of the Novi Chapter organized the event. The fun began after lunch on the first day, when each hunter was presented with camo hunting gear and boots donated by Gander Mountain and Scent-Lok and also a big bag full of Detroit Lions memorabilia, including a hat signed by coach Steve Mariucci. World famous bow hunter Ray Howell, representing Gander Mountain, and Detroit Lions offensive guard, Tony Semple, passed out these goodies, making it extra special. From then on, it was serious hunting in the late afternoons and early mornings, with midday reserved for kid fun time. The guides and staff at Deer Tracks gave their all to make it an occasion to always remember. I wish you all could have been there to see the proud smiles on those young faces as their trophy was added to the buck pole.

Humanitarian Programs

Lansing Area Chapter’s

2005 Safari Wish Hunter

Bags his Buck!

By Jim Leonard

Humanitarian Projects

Jim Leonard

517.323.3361

Kevin's Diary

Veterans of Iraq War Go Hunting

By Jim Ellis

SAFARI WISH HUNT 2004

By Jim Leonard

2008 AWLS Program Application Forms

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