Texas LAND Summer 2017

SPORTING ISSUE
After their initial conversation, Mitchell toured the ranch and
stayed in contact with Bishop until the ranch’s inaugural hunt was
assigned to Huntmaster Kyle Anderson and his experienced team.
“TYHP took care of the logistics,” Bishop said. “On my side, it
was easy to host a hunt. Everything has been considered—and
taken care of.”
It was determined that the ranch could safely accommodate five
hunters.
“I really expected to have more kids on the place,” Bishop said.
Despite the open communication, Bishop was unaware of the
number of people necessary to complete a youth hunt.
“I was surprised by the size of the ‘entourage,’” Bishop said.
“When I saw firsthand how a TYHP weekend is run, I realized that
everyone on the team is essential to a safe, successful hunt.”
Seeing youth hunters take their first deer was its own reward.
“There was a young man who was a natural introvert and didn’t
really engage with the group until he harvested his first doe,”
Bishop said. “He literally jumped out of the truck and ran over to
the group to tell his story. His excitement was pure joy to me.”
The first-time experience was so good, Bishop immediately
signed up to host a second hunt in 2017.
“If, as a landowner, you’ve never hosted a TYHP hunt, you
should at least call Chris Mitchell and explore the opportunity,”
Bishop said. “Once you talk to him you’ll be inspired to host a hunt.
Once you host a hunt, you’ll sign up to do it again.”
Rebecca Ross Hale’s First-hand Experience
Ross and Hale Family Ranches | Caldwell County
Ryan and Rebecca Hale, Owners
Rebecca Ross Hale’s ancestors settled in what became Caldwell
County in the 1830s. Today, she and her husband manage her
family land that can be traced back to those early land grants. Their
children have the benefits of being the 7th generation raised as
ranch kids on the land that is managed for cattle and wildlife.
“At 35-years-old, I’ve never taken for granted the blessing of
growing up on the land—hunting, fishing and ranching,” Hale
said. “I treasure that opportunity for my children, especially since a
connection to the land is so rare in today’s world.”
When Hale and her aunt, Lynnette Ross, heard Chris Mitchell
speak at their Clear Fork Creek Wildlife Management Association’s
meeting in 2013, they knew they wanted to share their treasure
with young people.
“She and I were texting back and forth about hosting a hunt
before Chris ever finished his presentation,” Hale said.
While the women were onboard immediately, the men in the
family were a bit more cautious, especially in regards to safety and
liability. If they agreed to host a TYHP hunt, it would be the first
time the family had opened up their property beyond their circle of
family and friends.
“As we explored the opportunity, it became clear that TYHP had
done its due diligence,” Hale said. “The organization provided
liability coverage which was possible because of its well-thoughtout
safety protocols.”
It didn’t take long for the family to agree that hosting a hunt would
help them reach their wildlife management goals while achieving
their personal goals. Participating family members included: Charlie
and Coni Ross, Clay and Lynnette Ross, and Milton Ross and Butch
Ross, who manage the land of their late brother Pete Ross, a founding
member of the local WMA. Clay and Lynnette Ross also provided
their barn and facilities as hunt headquarters.
“It’s an honor to introduce the next generation of hunters to the
tradition,” Hale said. “Enabling youngsters to harvest their first deer
is an emotional experience. We’re in a unique position to give them
that chance and share in their excitement and newfound passion.”
In fact, the family prefers that all hunters who come to their
ranch be first-timers.
“It’s humbling to know that for many of these kids this may be
the only hunt they ever experience in their lives,” Hale said.
In 2013, they hosted five youth. The next year, they doubled it
to 10. The following year, they hosted seven, which is their natural
“carrying capacity” and the number they’ve hosted since. Fellow
WMA member, Don Chesser, also began participating in 2015.
Their long-term goal is to involve more WMA members and host a
second hunt.
“From a landowner’s perspective, it’s easy,” Hale said. “You can
be as involved—or uninvolved—as you want to be. The Huntmaster
oversees the entire program, and they’ll leave it cleaner than they
found it.”
She continued, “Just pull the trigger and do it. If you host one, I
guarantee you’ll be hooked.” °
• We can furnish just about everything for the hunt.
• Our hunter education and safety requirements are stringent.
• Youths will only handle firearms in the presence of a supervising adult.
• Before shooting, both the hunter and guide must agree that it is a
proper animal, there is a good possibility of a kill, there is no likelihood
of shooting other animals in the vicinity, it is legal, and it is ethical.
In the unlikely event the wrong animal is harvested the program will
assist in recovering restitution costs.
• Firearms will only be loaded at the range or when the youth is in a
hunting position (actions will remain open the rest of the time).
• Youths are required to fully process their game (quartered and in an
ice chest).
• Youths are required to perform camp chores and clean-up.
• We will clean up before departure.
• With your permission, if you have the facilities and time permits, the
youths may fish (normally using catch and release).
• Vehicle traffic will be kept to a minimum.
• Youths will normally hunt from a stationary position (blinds or in the field).
• We stress the “two person rule” with all activities.
• Alcohol is prohibited and tobacco products are not to be used around the
youths (proper disposal is required; we will adhere to your smoking policy).
• We reserve the right to remove any hunting party due to unsafe,
unethical, or flagrant behavior.
• We reserve the right to cancel or terminate the hunt due to unsafe
conditions (generally dangerous weather).
• We will make every effort to ensure your rules are obeyed.
• You assume the role in the hunt you desire (from simply donating the
hunt with no further involvement to total involvement—we will even train
you to be your own Huntmaster).
• If you desire, we will provide you tax documentation reflecting the
donation of the hunt.
• We need adequate time (generally a minimum of six weeks) to plan,
schedule, and coordinate your youth hunt.
In compliance with our insurance policy, a trained and certified Huntmaster
will be present to supervise your
youth hunt.
LAND.COM • LEGENDARY LIVING
91