— To the deer hunter, any place that harbors whitetails is a hallowed piece of ground. Put children with special needs on it for a youth-only deer-hunting weekend and it becomes even more sacred.

For the sixth straight year, Jim Rogers graciously donated his sprawling Cass County farm for the Freedom Hunt. This event provides children with various types of disabilities an opportunity for a two-day camping trip, while also taking part in one of Indiana’s greatest outdoor traditions.

In the beginning, Freedom Hunt was the brainchild of Kokomo businessman Steve Griffey. An avid outdoorsman himself, he initially enlisted help from many of our area’s most accomplished hunters in an effort to provide children with this unique outdoor opportunity.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” said Todd Cripe, who was in his fourth year of volunteering for the event.

As in previous years, everyone arrived at the designated camp site on Friday evening. Literally everything was provided to the children who registered for the event, with the exception of desire and there seemed to be no shortage of that.

Early Saturday morning, the camp came to life well before daylight. The sweet smell of wood smoke hung heavy in the damp air. Guides readied clothes and equipment, while children milled around giddy with excitement as they feasted on warm, homemade cinnamon rolls.

With darkness slowly losing the battle to the first wisps of daylight, groups of guides and their young hunters began picking their way to ground blinds strategically placed several weeks earlier. With everyone in place, the children marveled as the woods slowly came to life.

Dawn was barely an hour old before the sky opened up. What began as intermittent sprinkles soon grew to steady rain. After toughing it out for several more hours, guides and their hunters slowly began sloshing their way back into camp. Although the woods dripped wet and paths turned to muddy quagmires, the weather did nothing to dampen enthusiasm or spirits.

“This is just part of hunting,” said Andrew Ash grinning, as droplets of water dripped off the brim of his hat.

Following a hearty breakfast of biscuits and gravy, prepared in the large mess-style tent, discussions soon centered on plans for the evening hunt.

“I think the deer will be moving,” Tom Hewitt told his young hunter with optimism. Hewitt should know considering he has spent decades as our area’s DNR wildlife biologist.

Tom Williams was another who volunteered his time to serve as a guide. A retired Indiana Conservation officer, it would be easy to

assume he has seen his share of outdoor activities. So why would he choose to dedicate an entire weekend for something like this?

“That’s easy,” he said emphatically. “I want to give something back!”

For Williams and the rest of the guides, it is more important to see a child collect their first deer. For them, that is the true pinnacle of their hunting efforts.

After clothes were hung to dry and lunch eaten, hunters began preparing for the afternoon hunt. I couldn’t help but notice the friendship that evolved between Williams and his young apprentice, 14-year-old Tyler Mills.

“He sends me hunting magazines all year long,” the boy said, as he patted Williams on the arm in a slow, concentrated effort. Tyler was born with arthrogryposis, a congenital disorder characterized by muscle weakness and fibrosis.

The outward appearances between the two were telling. Williams is big, rugged and speaks in a dry, matter-of-fact tone. His gray hair is the tell-tale sign of years of experience. Tyler, on the other hand, is smaller and easily excitable when he talks, his hands and arms always tucked tight to his side. He is lean and boyish looking with flaps of hair sticking out from under his camouflaged hat.

“I’ve never really hunted,” Tyler’s father, J.D. Mills, explained later. “I do it because he wants to,” he said, nodding his head towards his son. “This gives us something special we can do together.”

As J.D discussed some of the physical difficulties his son faces with both Williams and I, Tyler did what most children in his situation would do. “Did you hear about the deer I saw this morning?” he blurted out, quickly changing the conversation. For him, there were no difficulties or handicap. He was doing what any able bodied child could do in that same situation.

Freedom Hunt serves as a crossroads for coordinator Brad Rozzi, who has recently inherited the lion’s share of the duties.

“I love to hunt and I love kids so this seems like a perfect opportunity for me,” he said sincerely. “Personally, I feel like these children are even more special than regular kids.”

In spite of the weather, three of the kids did see success. But unlike many activities where aggressiveness and competition are keys to the game, this was about having fun, regardless of weather.

For everyone involved, Freedom Hunt is not really about who collects deer and who doesn’t. It is about mutual respect. Respect for the environment and for every person, young and old, who came together in that soggy camp!

• John Martino may be reached by email at jmartinooutdoors@att.net.