Outdoor life at it again!!!

As some of you may know, I recently tried to coordinate a hunt for a friend who was diagnosed with cancer. Please, if you haven't already, read that post in the Antler's page. From a standpoint of both public relation and promotion, this is where the focus of our industry needs to be in my opinion. Stories like that one must be told because they speak volumes about our industry and the wonderful people that make it what it is, deer farmers or preserve owners alike. Instead of every cover of every magazine and publication having pictures of giant bucks and advertisements, I would like to see the smiling face of a make-a-wish hunter whose hunt was donated in order to make his/her dream come true. I know there are tons of stories out there where deer farmers and preserve owners help people, just like they tried to do in my case. These are stories that must be told on both the state and the national level. I am in this business and before my post, I had absolutely no idea of the volume of farmers and ranch owners that help people realize their dreams. If I didn't know then you can bet the public doesn't know. Everyone should know! Portions of publications set out by NADFA, our state organizations and even magazines like DeerTracking should be dedicated to telling stories of these hunters and the people behind the scenes who made it all happen. Too many people think we cater to wealthy corporate types who go inside someones backyard to shoot a pet because they neither have the ethics nor the patience to hunt the wild. Twice in the last week I met people who criticized what we do and described hunting preserves as I just described them. When I fired back with the story of how the good people (total strangers) on this forum almost made my friend's dream come true, they were speechless. How can you not be speechless after hearing that story. I hope someone is listening because I truly feel that this message must be heard and I again thank all of those who tried to help my friend.

Awesome statement Daniel.......I only wish we could have made your friends dream come true.......But God had different plans.......I agree 100 percent with every thing you said above!! God Bless!!

Thank you Dennis. We need to be telling these stories. Yes, I believe that this approach will help tremendously with the public relation and promotion of our industry. However, more importantly, just imagine how many less fortunate people will be helped. Once promoted properly, I firmly believe that this practice will become more of a commonplace among all within our industry thus creating more opportunities for those less fortunate to have the hunt of a lifetime. Their faces and the faces of people like you who go out of their way to help make dreams come true should be the faces, and the new image of this industry. I only hope others are listening.

I do agree Daniel.......however, I would want no recognition for my part. I do it through Christ who guides me. I would not want to gain anything by doing Gods work. just being involved is reward enough for me. Like you said, seeing smiles and knowing that I am doing what I am called to do is reward enough for me. I would like to meet you some day Daniel. God Bless!