Recently I was blessed to read a wonderful news article.  It was about a young boy name Lance who shot his first deer this past hunting season while hunting with his father.  I was thrilled to see that the excitement of taking one’s first deer remains at the “top of the charts” for a young boy or girl!  But getting the deer was only the first part of the story.  Next came the opportunity to share his accomplishment at school.  Facing some social struggles to “fit in”, Lance’s deer story opened doors to connect with his teacher and classmates in a new way.  But the writer saved the best for last…Lance donated his first deer to feed the hungry through FHFH.   

​You can enjoy Lance’s full story by CLICKING HERE.

Reading about Lance reminded me of my first deer back in November of 1961. Shortly after daylight that morning I spotted a lone deer working its way into a grassy opening on the side of the mountain. When he stopped about 30 yards away I eased my rifle up, looked through the peep sight took aim at an 84 pound spike buck. Dad heard the shot from my World War II era British .303 – purchased using $15 I had won in a local art contest – and walked 40 yards down the mountain from his stand.  The buck had dropped in his tracks.  Like Lance’s father Dean, my dad who was my best hunting buddy felt the joy and excitement of helping his son take his first deer.

That first deer at the age of 15 changed my life.  Like Lance and many kids growing up I faced some difficulty fitting in socially with my peers.  Having little interest in team sports, my days were spent enjoying the fields, mountains, and competing in archery tournaments.  After four long years of praying to take a deer, God finally answered.  I knew then that deer hunting would play an important role in my life.  

While taking your first deer is exciting, I now know something else that Lance has also learned…nothing can equal giving it away to some unknown hungry folks who need it more than we do.  Lance and many other young people across America are demonstrating their love for God and their fellow man by giving their first deer to feed those in need.  And we couldn’t be happier for them!

“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”   Acts 20:35 NKJV