In the Press
2011 Press Articles
Freedom Hunt an enriching experience
"Anthony Correia was a typical young boy. He was inquisitive, full of energy and held a penchant for the outdoors. Then, through a dramatic twist of fate, his life changed forever.
He was on his way to school when a tragic car accident left him confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life."
Read full article by John Martino
Special children receive special weekend: Cass County farm was host to Freedom Hunt
"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."
Read full article by John Martino
2010 Press Articles
Special kids get special weekend outdoors
"Through the first night the camp laid silent, except for the cacophony of tree frogs, crickets and distant howl of a coyote. In the predawn darkness on opening morning, the camp slowly came to life. The fire was stoked, guides readied equipment and kids dressed themselves in their new camouflaged clothing. It wasn’t long before groups of children and guides began the trek to their respective ground blinds. Parents and other camp volunteers congregated around the large camp fire intently wishing for their success." Read full article by John Martino
"Every year, the last full weekend of September plays host to the Freedom Hunt deer hunt. Freedom Hunt is organization whose primary focus is to expose special needs children to the outdoors through the guidance of experienced outdoorsmen and women." Read full Pharos Tribune article
2009 Press Articles
"A group of youth from Cass and other counties throughout the state recently joined conservation officers and outdoor enthusiasts for a weekend of camping, hunting and memory making." Read full Pharos Tribune article
"The experience exemplifies the essence of Freedom Hunt, a not-for-profit organization that since 2006 has been giving special needs children the opportunity to hunt. A group of sportsmen and women joined 14 youth hunters and their families at a campground on the Eel River in Cass County Friday through Sunday." Read full article by Kevin Lilly
A dream weekend for special needs children
"For children with physical or emotional challenges the great outdoors might be nothing more than a patch of asphalt or slab of concrete. A true undisturbed natural setting may be out of their normal realm of enjoyment. But thanks to the fourth annual Freedom Hunt, 14 special needs children were afforded a weekend-long camping and deer-hunting adventure." Read more from the Kokomo Tribune
"A total of 12 youths from across Indiana experienced their first turkey hunt this past weekend. The event, dubbed Southern Swing because of its location in Jennings County, was put on by Freedom Hunt, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing outdoor adventures for children with special needs." Read more
2008 Press Articles
Special needs kids enjoy annual Freedom Hunt
"Every adult taking part in this year’s hunt know it’s in the woods where the real magic lies. The magic of watching the natural world come alive with the first hint of daylight. The magic of watching a child’s eyes light up when they see their first deer. They know the true reward of hunting is the intangible satisfaction of watching children respond positively to the natural world." Read more of John Martino's article
Blind for Freedom Hunt destroyed
DNR offers $200 reward for tips leading to the arrest of criminal who destroyed a blind intended for use during the 2008 Freedom Hunt.
Read more from the Pharos Tribune
2007 Press Articles
Freedom Hunt is right around the corner
"Brandon Stacks’ jaw was firmly set, his eyes focused straight ahead. He was sitting in a camouflaged ground blind he shared with his guide, Ernie Hurst. Although cerebral palsy may have strained his mobility, it did nothing to dampen his desire to hunt. So much was said from the huge smile that soon crossed his face, but not a word was spoken. He didn’t have to." Read more from the Kokomo Tribune
Freedom Hunt proves to be special day for kids
“This type of activity not only benefits the children, but we adults as well,” said Ernie Hurst, who also served as a guide. Several of us agreed that it was nice to leave the pressures and stress of our daily jobs behind, if only for a little while, to provide these children with a positive memory. “It almost makes me feel kind of bad,” Eubank stated, as he rubbed the two day stubble that had accumulated on his chin. “While we talked about the pressures we sometimes deal with, these kids have to deal with the utmost in challenges every day of their lives, yet they remain positive and take each day as a gift. Everyone can learn a lot from these kids.”
Read John Martino's full article in the Kokomo Tribune
Freedom Hunt rewards special needs children
Freedom Hunt offered 10 special needs kids under the age of 15 a chance to sleep in army tents, fish the Eel River and go deer hunting. The kids also hung out with deer hunting enthusiasts from around the state. Read full article by Kevin Lilly in the Pharos Tribune
2006 Press Articles
Disabled children will have opportunity to hunt
"The tradition of hunting is a much needed and celebrated event, something felt deep inside, something we try so hard to accurately define — a time when lifelong friendships are made and existing ones reinforced." Read more of John Martino's article in the Kokomo Tribune
"The outing was planned around Indiana’s first special youth deer hunting weekend. The camp location, situated on the banks of Eel River in Cass County, filled to capacity on Friday night. After arriving at camp, participants and their parents met the men who would serve as their guides and a host of other volunteers who would do their part in making a memorable weekend for these children."
Read more of John Martino's article in the Kokomo Tribune