For many avid hunters Fall signifies a time to get out and enjoy friends, the woods, nature and perhaps even the opportunity to score on a once-in-a-lifetime buck. Millions of hunters enter the woods each Fall, all with different goals and expectations for each season. For some, it’s the opportunity to fill the freezer, for others a chance to harvest their first deer, others a chance to re-connect with old friends, and for many a trophy whitetail is the expectation.
For Robie Pruitt, a long-time Pro-Staffer from Illinois and a Big Buck Extraordinaire, the off-season is filled with planting food plots, preparing stands, checking cameras and spending every waking second making sure he’s ready and prepared when the Season Opener comes around. It’s preparation and strategy like this that has allowed him to be very successful over the years and enter EVERY season with the expectation that a Trophy Class Whitetail is a reasonable goal. If there’s a person that puts more into it than Robie, I don’t know them…that’s what makes this all the more special. Because when Opening Day in Illinois rolls around Robie isn’t in his tree, when his Largest Deer are as predictable as they will ever be. Instead, he’s introducing and sharing his passion for hunting with those that need it more…you see there is yet another group of hunter’s that go a step further and look forward to Fall every year because it is the time of year when “Magic” happens. This “Magic” we speak of is life-changing, bigger than just a deer hunt, and so significant it will bring a grown man to tears.
This “Magic” is brought to you by The United Special Sportsman Alliance, the largest non-profit dream/wish-granting charity in the nation, which sends children with life-threatening illnesses and special needs on the outdoor adventure of their dreams…free of charge. The USSA is based out of Pittsfield, WI and is a 100% volunteer-based charity that provides special 3-day hunts in Southern Illinois and 2016 marked the 14th annual dream hunt where 13 special needs or terminally ill children went on their Dream Hunt. Robie has been a long-time volunteer with the USSA and this Fall he had the privilege to take Diana Casperson, a 15-year old from Stevens Point, WI on her dream hunt of a lifetime. Diana had never been hunting before and had never shot a gun bigger than a BB Gun, until her Dream Hunt. But one of her wishes was to go deer hunting and the USSA and special volunteers like Robie were bound and determined to make it a hunt she would never forget. Blinds are set up for each hunter and early in the morning hunters and volunteers head into the woods for their “Dream Hunt”. Due to the severity of the illnesses, hunts can last minutes, hours or the full three days…depending on the pain and comfort level of the hunters. But in Diana’s case she was determined to get her first deer on that Saturday…and nothing was going to stop her. While the morning hunt didn’t present any opportunities she stayed persistent and determined and on Saturday afternoon the stars aligned. From the blind Robie and Diana saw some movement and it was game on. A big old doe read the script perfectly and presented Diana an opportunity for a shot….a shot she had been waiting for her whole life, and she made it count with a perfect 50-yard bullseye!! A deer more important than any big buck Robie had on camera and a shot that made Diana’s Dream come true…a moment and a memory that Diana, her family, and Robie will never forget. Hunts like these are unforgettable, impactful moments that offer a terminally-ill child the opportunity to defy the odds and empower them to be strong, persistent, and determined in their daily struggles. On this day they’re Super Heros; unbreakable, untouchable and accomplishing things they never thought were possible. As one can imagine Dream Hunts like Diana’s are typically just as impactful, memorable and life-changing for the volunteer as they are for the hunter…
So many things can be learned from amazing stories like these and as hunters, we can all take notes from Diana and Robie:
- Every deer is a trophy…be respectful, be honorable and be grateful
- If you can Dream it, you can Do it…just ask Diana
- Take every opportunity you can to volunteer or mentor first-time hunters…chances are it will be an unforgettable and life-changing experience for you and the hunter
- Enjoy every opportunity you have to be out in nature doing what you love…hunting
- Remember…there is WAY more to hunting than the kill…enjoy the journey too
We want to congratulate Diana Casperson on her Dream Hunt and the excellent shot on her trophy whitetail and thank the USSA and Robie Pruitt for dedicating their time, money, and efforts to help dreams come true every Fall…it’s people and organizations like these that continue to pave the way for a successful hunting future and introduce the sport we love and cherish to first-time hunters like Diana.
Lastly, we want to challenge you…take some time this Fall to create some unforgettable hunting memories…mentor a first-time hunter, volunteer for an organization like USSA, take your niece, nephew, father, mother, grandpa or grandma out hunting…share your passion with people that might not have the opportunities that you have and help make the hunting community a better place.
Giant bucks are and always will be trophies, but remember there is more to hunting than shooting a giant!
We hope you have a successful Fall…filled with memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.
Happy Hunting,
The Antler King Family