One of the hunters brought in a ram he had shot. Lindsey was fascinated by the taxidermists skinning, gutting and caping. She put on rubber gloves and asked to help out. The taxidermist, Andrew, gave a great anatomy lesson. Lindsey wanted to see the hunters rifle and he showed it to her. She asked Mom if she could shoot it. Mom didn't want to do anything else because she said they couldn't afford it. She also said Dad didn't have any guns in the house. Well, we broke out a .22 rifle and gave some shooting lessons. Emily could not hold the gun so she shot it by sitting in the truck and resting it out the window. Lindsey quickly figured out how to shoot and had soda cans flying all over the ranch. They fired 250 rounds and were disappointed when we ran out of ammo.
Back at the lodge Mom and the girls said Thanks and Goodbye. Lindsey came over and asked, "Mr. Joe and Mr. Richard, do you think I could shoot something here"? We said, " An animal"? She said "Yes, anything but a deer"! Mom was not too keen on this idea and started rationalizing. Meanwhile, Richard and I were already scrounging up ammo and grabbing a rifle. We took the family out and found a bunch of different animals. Lindsey said she really like an all white feral goat and would like to have it. With Mom and little sister watching, Lindsey and I stalked the goat up to 20 yards in the brush. We used the .22 rimfire she learned to shoot just a few hours ago. Her first shot hit the goat right in the heart and dropped it. As we walked up I said "Sweetheart if that goat gets up you aim and then keep pulling the trigger until I say stop". Well, the goat stood up and Lindsey aimed and shot 6 rapid shots, all hitting the goat and putting it down for keeps. We backed off and started at the first shot because the 11 year old wanted to track the animal and follow the bloodtrail. She also insisted on dragging it back to the truck (with a little help) and would not let go of the horns.
Back at the skinning shed Lindsey asked the taxidermist if he could do a shoulder mount. Mom cut her short saying how they didn't have money for it. We told Andrew to go ahead and he and Lindsey skinned and caped her animal.
The girls Mom didn't pay a dime for anything - we took care of it with some help from forum members.
At the same time, two boys 15 and 12 came to the ranch at our request. We presented them with two rifles, both 30-06 with scopes and ammo. The Mom works two jobs and sleeps on the floor in the living room because the boys have the two bedrooms in the house and she can't afford a bed.
The money for all this came from rjohns94 donating a shotgun he purchased. The gun raised enough money for us to buy the two rifles, a bed and washing machine for the boys Mom, fishing bait and supplies for the little girls, a .22 rifle for Lindsey, the whole hunting trip and taxidermy on Lindseys goat. We also gave another 14 year old boy a .22 rifle that was purchased and donated by a forum member that wishes to remain anonymous.
Everyone that helped out contributed to a Mom and two girls having their first experience fishing, shooting and hunting - two boys getting rifles that they could never afford, a bed and washer for their mom and a rifle for another deserving boy who's family couldn't afford to buy one.
The topper was when Lindsey asked if she could donate the goat meat to poor people - which we did!
What an outstanding weekend and a surprise for everyone including us. It has been a long time since anyone saw Richard and I with tears in our eyes. Enjoy these great , precious pictures.
Emily with fish
Lindsey with fish
Lindsey shooting
Emily shooting
Lindsey with her new rifle
Lindsey first hunt
Kudos to those who contributed.
