Scott Weiler, from Auburndale, WI contacted me last spring offering to donate an elk hunt. His shooting preserve was set up for bow hunting, but when he learned about Wayne he decided to build a special blind. Scott knew what hunting did for his dad who battled cancer and he wanted to give Wayne the chance to experience it also.
Wayne is a husband, father, grandfather of six grandchildren, and a veteran who served our country with pride. I met Wayne six years ago while he was fishing out here on the marsh. We talked often about the charity and the upcoming events. He helped raise money for USSA through his chapter of the American Legion as well as volunteer his time for our annual WI fishing event.
When I found out a month ago he was battling a life-threatening illness I feel very deeply I needed to set him up on an elk hunt. I wasn’t sure if he hunted, but after a few phone calls to his grandchildren I got the answer I was looking for!
For days I ponder on how I would approach Wayne about going on an elk hunt. I knew if I asked him about a hunt for himself, he would say no and recommend I give it to someone else in need.
A couple weeks ago Pete and I were coming home from church and I told him I had a feeling Wayne was fishing on the back side of the cranberry marsh. We drove over there and sure enough there he was sitting alone fishing off the bank. I got out of the truck and walked over and knelt down alongside him. I TOLD Wayne we had an elk hunt set up for him, and Scott Weiler already built him a blind. Then without giving him a chance to say no; I asked him what day he would like to go on his hunt. He looked off to the left and tears started to roll down his cheeks, he paused for a moment and said, “Thursday October 8th would work”. I hugged him and both of us were very happy yet quite emotional.
Last Thursday around 1:30pm Wayne, his son Rick, Scott Weiler and I headed to the field. As we sat there in the blind I could see the special bond between Wayne and his son. There were moments I saw Wayne drift off and Rick would just look at him in a very peaceful way. I believe Rick felt at ease his father was getting a chance to enjoy the great outdoors and go after something he only dreamed about.
Around 4:00 pm Wayne whispered to us all there were two elk coming in from his side of the blind. We all looked out the window and our hearts started racing. Wayne set the Jarrett riffle up on the ledge and watched the elk through the scope as they headed in our direction. Soon as the elk got close enough, Scott told Wayne to “take the big one”, and he did just that!
After the elk dropped I watched Wayne spin around to look at us with the biggest grin. He was so proud and emotional. Everyone in the blind was on cloud nine.
The following morning Wayne’s wife called to tell me how happy she was to see him smiling again. She told me how Wayne was calling everyone and telling them about his elk hunt. I was happy for her because she had endured a lot over the last few months and to see her husband at peace was a blessing for her!
Many caring heart went into making this hunt such a great success, many lives were touched in such a special way.
A special thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Scott Weiler for donating the elk hunt, the Pittsville American Legion who paid for the meat processing, and Northern Lights Taxidermy who will be donating the mounting.
Congratulations Wayne on an awesome hunt and thank you for letting me share that special moment. God bless you!
Brigid O’Donoghue
Wayne is a husband, father, grandfather of six grandchildren, and a veteran who served our country with pride. I met Wayne six years ago while he was fishing out here on the marsh. We talked often about the charity and the upcoming events. He helped raise money for USSA through his chapter of the American Legion as well as volunteer his time for our annual WI fishing event.
When I found out a month ago he was battling a life-threatening illness I feel very deeply I needed to set him up on an elk hunt. I wasn’t sure if he hunted, but after a few phone calls to his grandchildren I got the answer I was looking for!
For days I ponder on how I would approach Wayne about going on an elk hunt. I knew if I asked him about a hunt for himself, he would say no and recommend I give it to someone else in need.
A couple weeks ago Pete and I were coming home from church and I told him I had a feeling Wayne was fishing on the back side of the cranberry marsh. We drove over there and sure enough there he was sitting alone fishing off the bank. I got out of the truck and walked over and knelt down alongside him. I TOLD Wayne we had an elk hunt set up for him, and Scott Weiler already built him a blind. Then without giving him a chance to say no; I asked him what day he would like to go on his hunt. He looked off to the left and tears started to roll down his cheeks, he paused for a moment and said, “Thursday October 8th would work”. I hugged him and both of us were very happy yet quite emotional.
Last Thursday around 1:30pm Wayne, his son Rick, Scott Weiler and I headed to the field. As we sat there in the blind I could see the special bond between Wayne and his son. There were moments I saw Wayne drift off and Rick would just look at him in a very peaceful way. I believe Rick felt at ease his father was getting a chance to enjoy the great outdoors and go after something he only dreamed about.
Around 4:00 pm Wayne whispered to us all there were two elk coming in from his side of the blind. We all looked out the window and our hearts started racing. Wayne set the Jarrett riffle up on the ledge and watched the elk through the scope as they headed in our direction. Soon as the elk got close enough, Scott told Wayne to “take the big one”, and he did just that!
After the elk dropped I watched Wayne spin around to look at us with the biggest grin. He was so proud and emotional. Everyone in the blind was on cloud nine.
The following morning Wayne’s wife called to tell me how happy she was to see him smiling again. She told me how Wayne was calling everyone and telling them about his elk hunt. I was happy for her because she had endured a lot over the last few months and to see her husband at peace was a blessing for her!
Many caring heart went into making this hunt such a great success, many lives were touched in such a special way.
A special thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Scott Weiler for donating the elk hunt, the Pittsville American Legion who paid for the meat processing, and Northern Lights Taxidermy who will be donating the mounting.
Congratulations Wayne on an awesome hunt and thank you for letting me share that special moment. God bless you!
Brigid O’Donoghue
