Benefit hunt to be held December 1-2

A benefit hunt this weekend in Donley County will help kids in the foster care system.
The Big Country Children’s Benefit Hunt, a program of BCFS Health and Human Services, strives to bring an outdoor expedition that will provide an opportunity for youth to learn about the responsibilities of hunting safety, the basics of outdoor survival training, and the necessity of teamwork.

A local hunt has been added this year to the benefit’s list of adventures, headed by Donley County Chief Deputy Randy Bond. The Panhandle hunt will be December 1 and 2, 2018, for two days on a ranch south of Hedley. Bond and his wife, Sis, have adopted three children from foster care and are currently fostering a fourth child. Given his background, bond has an intimate knowledge of the foster care system and values the importance of programs like the Big Country Children’s Benefit Hunt.

To be selected for this expedition, youth are nominated by Child Protective Services (CPS) staff based on records from their case file and consultation with each youth’s case manager and foster family. After a rigorous vetting process, the selected youth from foster care attend a day-long hunting certification and training program approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife, administered by a certified instructor. On the day of the hunt, each youth will be paired with an experienced hunting guide to provide for them throughout their journey.

Marshall Davidson, Special Investigations Program Administrator for Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, serves as this year’s hunting certification and training instructor. Marshall is but one of the many BCFS volunteers who will fill the roles necessary to make a hunt such as this one a safe and successful adventure. An experienced outdoorsman who lives by the values, ethics, and ideals of hunting, Marshall believes teens can learn a great deal from the lessons the wilderness has to offer.

Even though the hunt has volunteers and sponsors, they still need monetary donations to pay for food and essentials for the hunt weekend to be a success. This program is completely funded by sponsors, volunteers, and donations. The public’s generosity is greatly appreciated.

For more information, contact Randy Bond at 806-223-9247 or Tessie Robinson at 806-220-6222.