Several years ago, our president, Dr. Rodney Harrison, came to me with a very unique idea – take our elderly residents deer hunting. I must admit my first impressions ranged from concern for the liability of our resident’s safety to concerns over whether or not our insurance would cover such an activity.
Now, several years into these events, I must admit that my concerns and fears were overblown and the impact of these hunts have been remarkable to say the least. This year, by the time you read this, we will have had six hunts at five of our campuses. The hunts have occurred at our Arcadia Valley and Ashland campuses and on farms near our Ozark, Shelbina, and Vandalia campuses.
If harvesting deer is a sign of a successful hunt, this year has been our most successful as we have had deer taken at three of our hunts. In an example of being “blessed to be a blessing”, each of the harvested deer were contributed to family members or employees who were in need of extra food.
Judy was the successful hunter at our Arcadia Valley campus, taking her first deer in her second hunt. Judy has some significant health issues, but with the assistance of staff and volunteers she was able to participate in a great opportunity. At our Shelbina campus, a 72-year-old employee took a deer in his first hunt, and resident Dennis was able to go hunting once again after many years of not being able to be in the “deer woods”. Why did Dennis go hunting? Because staff invited him to participate. Sometimes, it is that simple.
At our Vandalia Campus, Rev. John Birkhead, who shared with me that he is 90 and ½ years old, took a deer on his very first deer hunt. Rev. Birkhead had been a pastor in rural Missouri since 1955 before he and his wife moved to Baptist Homes.
The story of these Senior Deer Hunts would be incomplete without acknowledging the contribution of the mentors and volunteers. The National Deer Association took our idea and built a great educational program to introduce or reintroduce senior hunters to the opportunity to be in nature.
Many staff have made these hunts possible. Some have served as mentors and hunt volunteers, while others helped prepare meals for the hunters and volunteers. One volunteer has been of particular note – Church Relations Specialist Spencer Hutson has worked year-round to secure local seniors to participate in the hunts and to develop a small army of volunteers who have very creatively made it possible for hunters with mobility issues to participate. Spencer is also convinced that Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes are essential to a successful deer hunt.
Among the group of volunteers, one particular group should be recognized. First Baptist Church of Viburnum, led by Pastor Jason Perry, has gone above and beyond in supporting the Arcadia Valley campus. Recently, volunteers from their church milled boards from trees which had been damaged at the AV campus and then used them to build handicap-accessible deer blinds.
Below are photos from this year’s deer hunts. I encourage you to view these photos as they are a clear demonstration of the joy and celebration of being in God’s nature along with the genuine fellowship of serving our fellow man.
Yes, I still think this is a crazy idea, but it is a genuinely God-blessed crazy idea!
Dr. Ron Mackey, Vice President, Community Engagement
