Cuerno Grande Wildlife - Whitetail Youth Hunt Cuerno Grande Wildlife and owner Mark Matthews have been long time supporters of The Sportsmen’s Club of Fort Worth through the donation of a father/son whitetail management hunt for one buck up to 139 inches. Knowing the quality of his outfit and lodge from previous hunts, I decided to bid on this package and was lucky enough to win the trip for my son, Jackson. Along with Jackson (10 years old), we were accompanied by Ryan Trott and his son, Braden (12 years old). On December 27th, we made the drive down to Cuerno Grande’s lodge in Hondo, Texas for a 3-day hunt. We were met at the lodge by Mark Matthews, several of his professional guides, and Henry “The Cook”. The boys immediately connected with the guides, especially Dan “The Milkman” (Dan still delivers milk daily for the Borden milk company in the wee hours of the morning before meeting clients for breakfast and then guiding them on their hunts). Fresh cookies, sodas, snacks and treats were displayed throughout the lodge when we unpacked our gear, and the boys plowed through them while listening to Mark’s safety and rules meeting. After talking to the boys about the rules for gun safety, where they want them to place their shots on the deer, and general tips on shooting techniques, we were ready to sight in our rifles at the 100 yard range built just down the road from the lodge. Once on the range, Mark and Dan helped each of our boys make sure they were shooting dead on and ready for the hunt. Cuerno Grande manages multiple ranches throughout South Texas, and because of that we had many options on where we could hunt and for specific deer they knew were on particular ranches. The boys were going to split up with different guides and meet back at the e Covey Rise Newsletter of the Sportmen’s Club of Fort Worth WINTER/SPRING 2016 (Continued on page 2)
Transcript
Cuerno Grande Wildlife - Whitetail Youth HuntCuerno Grande Wildlife and owner Mark Matthews have been long time supporters of The Sportsmen’s Club of Fort Worth through the donation of a father/son whitetail management hunt for one buck up to 139 inches. Knowing the quality of his outfit and lodge from previous hunts, I decided to bid on this package and was lucky enough to win the trip for my son, Jackson.
Along with Jackson (10 years old), we were accompanied by Ryan Trott and his son, Braden (12 years old). On December 27th, we made the drive down to Cuerno Grande’s lodge in Hondo, Texas for a 3-day hunt.
We were met at the lodge by Mark Matthews, several of his professional guides, and Henry “The Cook”. The boys immediately connected with the guides, especially Dan “The Milkman” (Dan still delivers milk daily for the Borden milk company in the wee hours of the morning before meeting clients for breakfast and then guiding them on their hunts). Fresh cookies, sodas, snacks and treats were displayed throughout the lodge when we unpacked our gear, and the boys plowed through them while
listening to Mark’s safety and rules meeting. After talking to the boys about the rules for gun safety, where they want them to place their shots on the deer, and general tips on shooting techniques, we were ready to sight in our rifles at the 100 yard range built just down the road from the lodge. Once on the range, Mark and Dan helped each of our boys make sure they were shooting dead on and ready for the hunt.
Cuerno Grande manages multiple ranches throughout South Texas, and because of that we had many options on where we could hunt and for specific deer they knew were on particular ranches. The boys were going to split up with different guides and meet back at the
The Covey RiseNewsletter of the Sportmen’s Club of Fort Worth WINTER/SPRING 2016
(Continued on page 2)
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(Continued from page 1)
lodge that night to share stories and enjoy one of many unbelievable meals prepared by Henry the ‘Cook’.
The first night, both Jackson and Braden were able to watch some amazing (and HUGE) bucks, but no management bucks presented themselves. Soon we were all back at the lodge for Henry’s famous chicken fried venison, mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans.
The next morning we all woke up to another unbelievable breakfast and afterward, headed out to hunt other ranches in search of their bucks. With no bucks taken at this point, Jackson and Braden met up at the lodge for lunch and shared more stories about the deer they saw. Afternoon was spent watching videos of whitetail filmed from various blinds, and by 3 pm the boys were really pumped up! The guides gave them ‘high fives’ and told them both that this afternoon was going to be their lucky hunts. And they were right!
Jackson headed out with Dan the Milkman and me, and Braden headed out with Cody to anoth-
er ranch. Pretty soon we found ourselves (Dan, Jackson and me) huddled in the blind. Dan is fantastic with kids, and Jackson was hanging on every word Dan whispered to him when his buck finally appeared. As it turned out, our buck was more interested in romance and not corn and he didn’t stay at the feeder long, so Jackson had to watch his buck disappear and re-appear at least 10 times before a shot presented itself. He steadied his .243 and placed a great shot on the 9 point buck before seeing him go down 40 yards away. I have never seen my son so excited, nor have I felt as much pride and joy as I did that evening. Dan was just as ecstatic, and he pulled me aside and said “This is what I live for…it’s the best!” I couldn’t have agreed more.
When we met back at the lodge for a celebra-tion dinner, we found out Braden had his buck which turned out to be a fantastic mature 8 pointer.
This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime father/son experience and fantastic hunt that will be cher-ished by all four of us for the rest of our lives. We can’t wait to get back to Cuerno Grande and make more memories as great as this one.
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The following are letters from a few of the organizations that we have been able to provide financial support as a result of your generosity.
Operation OrphansOn behalf of the directors of Operation Orphans, I would like to thank you for the generous donation to pay for heating units in two buildings to benefit the children who participate with the “Take a Child Hunting” program. It is certainly appreciated. The success of Operation Orphans depends on the generosity of others. For fifty-six years this organization has offered less fortunate children, from all across Texas, the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and meet others who care about their welfare.
During the three hunts already held this season, 29 girls and 100 boys participated from 18 residential facilities and foster homes and harvested 177 animals. An additional hunt will take place January 9th. Since the program’s beginning in 1960, 18,250 children have participated in the hunting program. The Sportmen’s Club of Fort Worth has been a vital part of Operation Orphans since the beginning. In 2004 Operation Orphans began a fishing program. Thus far, 649 kids have enjoyed the program. It has been a pleasure increasing the opportunity for less privileged children to enjoy the outdoors.
Your gift will go a long way assisting in the education of children to the joys and responsibilities of the outdoors.
Sincerely,
Lyla CrouchCamp Supervisor
VFW Post #7835 – GranburyOn behalf of the VFW Post #7835 and local Game Wardens I would like to thank you for your generous donation. Your commitment to helping Squaw Creek Youth Fish Day in our community is sincerely appreciated.
Each year our organization continues to advance its mission of getting local youth exposed and involved in outdoor recreational fishing activities. Through our event we have seen many families get to experience the fun that fishing has to offer for them.
In particular the Squaw Creek Youth Fish Day has enjoyed great success in the past year. We had approximately 300 people come out to enjoy the event. Through generous donations from our supporters like you we were able to have enough fishing poles to loan out to families, provided bait for their fishing experience, and gave away fishing poles and tackle boxes to the kids and served a hot dog lunch.
The goal of the VFW Post #7835 and local Game Wardens is to continue to make a difference in the youth by giving these children a chance to experience the sport of fishing at no cost to them. With the help of donations from supporters such as you we will continue to see improvements in Youth Fish Day.
Thanks again for your generous support of our efforts to get youth fishing and in the outdoors.
Best wishes,Larry Massoletti, VFW Post #7835, Granbury
Joni Kuykendall,Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden
SPORTSMENSCLUB.ORG
Father & Son ConnectionThank you so very much for your ongoing support of our mission by providing so many resources for shotgun sports which allow us to introduce many teenage sons and their dads to shooting for the first time. Your donation in July 2014 of 5 pallets of clay targets carried us through record breaking seasons in Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 serving a total of 896 guests at Pure Adventure events. We are currently down to 16 cases and clays in our inventory and would like to ask for your help again this year as we prepare for our goal of hosting twice as many guests in the next 12 months.
Please consider supporting our mission yet again by providing:
• 5 pallets of clays (which should carry us through our Fall 2015 season)
• 4 Remington 870 shotguns (which will provide us with spare guns at events)
Thank you so much for your consideration of this request.
Spring 2015 Actuals:• 10 Pure Adventure events• 326 Guests• 1272 CREW volunteer hours
Fall 2015 Projections:• 18 Pure Adventure events (16 now booked) • 1080 Guests• 2688 CREW volunteer hours
Your partnership is causing life-changing impact in the fathers and sons who attend Pure Adventure and experience the outdoors with us.
Thank you , thank you, thank you.John Key, Director of Event Operations
Foster’s Home for ChildrenThe children of Foster’s Home were able to enjoy some memorable outdoor adventures this summer, thanks to the Sportsmen’s Club. They enjoyed rafting trips, saltwater fishing trips, a bass fishing trip on Lake Fork, Fossil Rim tours, and other great activities.
I was able to take four boys to Galveston for a saltwater fishing trip. Three of the boys had never seen the ocean before. There are so many memories made on trips like these. Some of the nightmares of abuse and neglect begin to fade when children are able to enjoy such positive experiences. The Galveston trip gave our kids the opportunity for pier fishing, a guided trip just offshore where they caught a large sand shark, and other times when they just combed the beach.
Other children at Foster’s Home were able to enjoy deer hunts, shooting range excursions, and camping trips. The opportunity to get out of the homes and get in touch with nature through hunting, fishing, camping, and other outdoor activities is vital to them healing from the trauma they have experienced in their few short years. We want to express our appreciation to the Sportsmen’s Club members for helping create such great memories for our kids.
The following are letters from a few of the organizations that we have been able to provide financial support as a result of your generosity.
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Big Brothers Big SistersThrough the ongoing support and generosity of the Sportsmen’s Club of Fort Worth, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been able to continue to offer outdoor mentoring to children who may not normally be exposed to the outdoors.
Through the support of SCFW, our annual Nature Day in March 2015 had record attendance, serving more than 100 children and mentors. The “Littles” (children mentees) and “Bigs” (adult mentors) enjoyed a nature hike, clay shooting, rifle range instruction, archery and more. These lifelong memories and outdoor experiences would not be possible without SCFW. Thank you!
In addition to Nature Day that was held in March 2015, various hunts throughout the year take place from the help and support of SCFW. We are so very grateful. The Littles and their mentors have made lifelong outdoor memories thanks to the financial support that SCFW provides. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit www.bbbstx.org or 888-887-BIGS.
Thank you, Sportsmen’s Club of Fort Worth!
SPORTSMENSCLUB.ORG
Texas Game Warden AssociationThe Texas Game Warden Association gratefully appreciates your attendance at the Region II Texas Motor Speedway Fund-raiser. Your participation at our fund-raiser is representa-tive of your group’s continued support of our organization. We are pleased to have your participation with the ongoing programs and activities initiated by the Texas Game Warden Association and we will strive to maintain the high standards set forth by TGWA in our youth activities across the State.
Thank you again for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Elaine ShawAdministratorTexas Game Warden Association
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FEBRUARY 25, 2016RIDGLEA COUNTRY CLUB
WILDGAMEDINNER
SPORTSMEN’S CLUB
OF FORT WORTH
59TH
2016
SPORTSMENSCLUB.ORG
The Club’s primary fund raising activity is our Wild Game Dinner, which includes a large father/child attendance consistent with the youth educational goals of the Club. At the dinner, numerous donated hunting, fishing and other outdoor-related trips together with hunting, fishing and outdoor equipment are raffled off or sold by both silent and live auction.
Sportsmen’s Club of Fort Worth is excited to have Gesture Software for the 2016 Wild Game Dinner. Gesture Software is an incredibly user-friendly and exciting bidding technology to run and manage charity silent auctions. Gesture Software gives you the ability to bid at ease with a device you are already comfortable with, your mobile phone. Gesture Software is the ultimate auction software, easy to use and incredibly cost effective and down right fun to use.
Be sure to watch for all coming information on the 2016 Wild Game Dinner and we will see you in February!
PRE-REGISTER ONLINE NOWto avoid delays the night of the event and to be automatically entered into the drawing to win a Smith & Wesson M&P Compact .40 S&W Pistol.
160 Year Old Cased Colt1851 Navy: (SN# 49,586) This pistol was manufactured in 1856 and certainly saw use in the civil war and on the American frontier ! What a great piece of history. Donated by Donovan Williamson
Argentina Dove HuntSporting Adventures International, LLC will donate a 4 man / 3 day Dove hunting trip to one of our private Estancias in Cordoba, Argentina. This trip includes: 3 full days of hunting, open bar, Argentinian red wine, laundry service, all meals and lodging in hunting area, English speaking guides, meet and greet service at the airports, all ground transportation to and from the hunting areas, bird-boys, and gun cleaning. The trip does not include: Airfare, tips, shells, licenses, or gun permits. Must be redeemed by 2/15/2017. Donated by Sporting Adventures International & Joe Miles.
Marupa Safaris South AfricaHunters will enjoy the lure of wild Africa Stalking Kudu and Nyala in the foot hills of Waterberg Mountains or Gemsbuck and sprinbuck in the deep red Kalahari sand and join Pieter Viviers , Jean Micheal Gaud and Marupa Safaris on a 7day plains game hunt on Marupa’s private game preserves in the game rich Limpopo Providence or Northern cape of South Africa. Included : Accommodation, Beer and Wine , All meals, PH, Tracker/Skinner Transport from JHB Airport to Hunting concession and Back. Donated by Pieter Viviers and Jean Micheal Gaud.
Priceless Mixed Bag HuntFour people will be hunting on a 1400 acre private ranch in Stonewall County, Texas. You will basically have free run of the ranch for an entire weekend. Hunters will be hunting for deer and hogs in the mornings and evenings and hunting quail during the middle of the day. Your party will be allowed to harvest two trophy bucks, two cull bucks, two limits of quail per day, two does and all the hogs you can find and have shells for. If there is any time left the owner of the ranch will dig into his private collection and allow you to shoot some rare and priceless double rifles, English shotguns and a collection of long range rifles. Of course sporting clays will also be available to hone your skills for the quail hunts. Guides, bird dogs, food, beverages (hard and soft), lodging and transportation while on the ranch will all be provided. You will be staying in the private home of the owner. Donated by Circle Bar S, LLC
Dinner and Wine for 10 at Clay PigeonYou and 9 of your friends will enjoy a specially prepared meal just for you by renowned Chef Marcus Paslay. You will be treated to some of the finest food in the Metroplex. This will be a multi-course dinner and each course will be paired with wine hand selected by Chef Paslay, from his private cellar. Don’t miss your chance to have an unforgettable night at 2014’s Best New Restaurant (awarded by numerous outlets), Clay Pigeon. Must be redeemed by 2/15/2017. Donated by Marcus Paslay
Catch Some of This Year’s Great Auction Items
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Adventure in ChristFinancial assistance to purchase shooting equipment for youth to learn gun safety, as well as, how to shoot a shotgun.
Operation OrphansFinancial assistance to make repairs to existing facilities.
Near SE Community Development Corp.Financial assistance to cover expenses associated with a weekend fishing trips for under privileged youth living in SE portion of Fort Worth.
Young LifeFinancial support for its annual sporting clay event held each summer.
Camp CarterShooting range supplies
Camp Fire USA Canoes, kayaks, paddles, life jackets at Camp El Tesoro
Camp John Marc Management of fishing lake and donation of fishing equipment.
Camp Sweeney Archery and rifle range equipment
Foster’s Home for ChildrenFinancial assistance to send youth to shooting range, fishing and camping trips.
Hendrick Home For Children Financial assistance to send youth on chartered gulf coast fishing trip.
Osprey Bass Club Fish and fishing supplies for an annual youth fishing event.
Tarrant County Sportsmen’s ClubAnnual sponsor of youth deer hunt contest.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Financial assistance for urban youth to learn gun safety and participate in annual clay shoot and dove hunt.
Wish With WingsFinancial assistance to send youth from Cook Children’s Hospital to Fossil Rim.
Johnson Count 4-H Shooting ClubAnnual sponsor of shooting event.
UNT Land ScholarsFinancial assistance with scholarships to send youth to camp.
Texas Junior Anglers Founding sponsor for annual fishing events.
MayfestFinancial assistance to purchase fish for the fishing tank at this annual event.
Parker County Youth HuntFurnish portable deer blind for annual hunt.
Fort Worth ClaymoresFinancial assistance to acquire traps, ammo and targets.
James Green Wildlife & Conservation InitiativePartial sponsor
The following is a partial list of donations made by the Sportsmen’s Club in recent years as a result of the generosity of sponsors, donors and attendees of our annual Wild Game Dinner:
Sportsmen’s Club Contributions
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3J Hunting ClubAaron Davidson Ab Grantges Allen Booth Allison Ryan Alpine Range Supply Co. Andrew Brady Andy HutchisonBass Champs Billy Bobs Texas & Concho MinickBob SmithBobby Dodd Booner Beck Brian Happel Brian Perry Buck Taylor Casey Donahew Chad Potts Charlie Geren Chicken Express & Ricky StuartChippewa Boot Co. & Justin BrandsChris Rainey Chris RyanChristina Toups Cinnamon Creek Archery & Joe MusacchioCircle Bar S, LLCClint Hayes Cuerno Grande Wildlife & Mark MatthewsDan Lockwood David Black David Hunt FursDavid Kramer David LeonardDavid Parker David Smith David Tyler David YeatesDefender OutdoorsDonovan Williamson Donovan Williamson II Edgar Pereda Edwards RanchEric Hyden ESP, Retriever Sporting Clays and Chris RyanEssex Manufacturing & Dan MickaEstancia La Criolla
Ethan Pippitt Evan SloanFort Worth Lap Band Fort Worth TrapFriend of the Sportsmen’s Club of Ft. WorthFW SwatGary ColeGary FieldsGil StroubeGrady Kane Greg Flees Greystone Castle Shooting ClubGrissom’s Fine Jewelry, Patrick Grissom & Michelle BoisselierHal Sutton HB Hunting Products & Harry BlakeHoliday Chevy Ford Howard Kane Humberto Gomez-Galvan Hunt Trip Spain IDC Burgers & Danny McGuireIdeal Partners & Kortney PaulJames SellersJamie Morgan Jason Gibson Jeff Miller Jeff Morton Jim ChandleyJoe Jones Joe Lancarte Joe MilesJoe White Tank CompanyJoey Blanton John BarberJohn CampbellJosh Beckett Justin BootsK C Arwine Karl BiggsKortney Paul Ladye Ann MillerLarry Amos Lincoln Property Company & Gil StroubeLuskeys Ryons LuskeyM L Leddys Marcus Paslay
Mark BogartMatt JohnsonMay Group Int. & Allen MeyerMike SchoolerMike StreetNolan Ryan October Mountain OutdoorsOmujeve Hunting Safaris Namibia Paxton MotheralRandy Cupp Randy Rogers Reata Restaurant & Mike MicallefRetriever Sorting Clays, Inc.Rhodes Ranch & Joe BrooksRick Wilshire Robert CantrellRod Zahn RR Game Ranch & David Kramer & Allan MeyerRR Ranch & Allan MeyerRyan TrottScott EllingtonSporting Adventures Int., LLCSportsmen’s Club of Fort WorthStacey Yancey Steve Norris Stoney Larue Tailwaters Fly Fishing Company & David LeakeTerry Tadsen The Estate of Mike Brown, Chris Ryan, Retriever Sporting Clays, Jon Bonell, & Grady KaneToby DardenTravis Stewart Upland Bird Country & Gil StroubeVaden DavisWaters Restaurant, Bonnell’s Restaurant & Chef Jon BonnellWaxahachie AutoplexWaylon Owens Will JamesYoung Life Fort Worth Zach Fusilier
2015 Wild Game Dinner Donors Thank You!
SPORTSMENSCLUB.ORG
Allan MeyerBlayne CuppBob WilliamsBrad SmithBrandon LopezBrent PenningtonBrian GriggsBrian HappelBruce HeikkinenBryan KingBubba SaulsburyBurton ParnellCameron ReederCasey HarrisonChad Leechad smithCharles R. GreenChip DavisChip WagnerChris BakerChris RatteneeChristopher HollemanClint VanTreaseCody RitcheyCy PerryDale GilreathDarl ChapmanDavid AdamsDavid KramerDavid ParkerDavid SmithDennis SiskDon MarableDr. Jason TinleyDr. Larry TatumEdgar ArteconaEric WrightFln Neve
2015 Wild Game Dinner Successful Bidders Thank You!
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Pre-registering will automatically enter you into the drawing to win a
Smith & WessonM&P Compact .40 S&W Pistol
Pre-Registration DEADLINE FEBRUARY 22, 2016Register online and pay by credit card for individual tickets or sponsor tables. Online registrants are automatically entered in the FREE PISTOL DRAWING when they submit their credit card information prior to the Wild Game Dinner Event.
PLEASE NOTE: You can only be eligible for the PISTOL DRAWING if you register your credit card information with us prior to the event. (A MINIMUM CHARGE OF $5.00 IS REQUIRED!) No other charges will be made to your CREDIT CARD without your authorization at the event
Credit Card information is requested to expedite check-in, various raffle sales, live auction sales, and the final purchase checkout process the night of the dinner.
REGISTER ONLINE AT: SPORTSMENSCLUB.ORG
AVOID DELAYS THE NIGHT OF THE EVENT!Pre-Register Your Credit Card Information Online Now!
SPORTSMENSCLUB.ORG
Platinum Table - $10,000 • One 10 person table• Ten 30 oz. Yeti Tumblers• Ten GameGuard Soft Coolers • Ten packages of raffle tickets (1 safe, 1 wine,
1 gun, 10 general raffle tickets) • Personal waitress for table at the event• Sponsorship acknowledgment including
company logo in The Wild Game Dinner Program
• Ballroom seating• 10 person full day SCFW Sporting Clay Shoot
with dinner
Gold Table - $6,000• Ten 30oz Yeti Tumblers• $500 general raffle tickets • One 10 person table at the Sportsmen’s Club
Wild Game Dinner• Personal waitress for table at event• Sponsorship acknowledgment including
company logo in The Wild Game Dinner Program
• Ballroom seating• Five person full day SCFW Sporting Clay Shoot
with dinner
Silver Table - $3,000 • One 10 person table at the Sportsmen’s Club
Wild Game Dinner• Sponsorship acknowledgment in The Wild
Game Dinner Program• Ballroom seating
Bronze Table - $2,000 • One 10 person table at the Sportsmen’s Club
Wild Game Dinner• Seating outside of ballroom• Sponsorship acknowledgment in The Wild
