Hunting with Heroes in Maine
By Ray Howell
For the last 15 years Kicking Bear has teamed up with Dave Hentosh of Veterans Afield to be a part of the annual moose hunt. We normally get around 21 deprivation tags for moose. It has been amazing to be able to serve the veterans who have protected us and guide them on one of the most amazing critters to hunt. The fun part has been when we have the kids there from Kicking Bear Foundation. The kids from KB that started coming to camp many years ago are now grown up and coming back helping out. It is amazing to witness what God does!
The Hunt is a very strenuous, day long event. Up at 3:30 am to head to the areas to spot and stock these giants. To call in a bull moose for a Veteran is an incredible experience. Once the critter is harvested, then, we got to get them out of the field, without leaving any sign that we were there. This is when the work begins: the moose is raised up on a very high pole, is skinned and quartered, and ready to go to the butcher shop. It is an unbelievable amount of work to skin and quarter such a large animal. Some of the volunteers probably only get three hours of sleep a day. There are so many incredible volunteers from the DNR, local departments, and hunting guides who give of their time to help.
Once a Veteran harvest his moose, then we take them bear hunting. This year again several bears were harvested by veterans, some were monsters!
It is an incredible experience for me to get to know these warriors, listen to their stories and share the love of Christ with them. They are sheep dogs, protecting us, even after they are home!