The final run with the boys for deer season 2009 was a good as it gets.
Jan. 2009 (nicknames are used in place of the true boys names, however they would change them if they could)

The weekend seems much longer when we are at deer camp. So much can and does happen from mid-afternoon on Friday to Sunday at luch. This last trip was such a blessing and a powerful time , again, it is hard to put it all into words.

We had a couple new guys on this trip. T-man (11) has never been out with us. His father passed away in November and I asked him back then if he would come out with us, his mom said he was anxiously awaiting the trip. Sniper (11)came to hunt camp last summer and I had not had a chance to connect with him since then. Sniper has a smile that draws you in and just makes you feel good, I like that about him. Sarge’s (12) mom wanted to make sure he got out with us this trip. Sarge is a favorite and he is at a time in his life where he is questioning a lot of things and where they fit. Half-pint (10) was one who also had been waiting to go for months but his grades and a little bit of trouble in school kept him from going till now.  Finally Tonto (10) – a boy with the heart of a giant.
The drive up was without incident. The final stop at the feed store and the tiny country store in Cherokee, Texas were highlights as always with the purchase of their final soda for the weekend and a bag of peanut-brittle. With all boys working we unloaded the trailer and trucks in short time and were ready to hunt.

Chris Deirski was the other leader on the hunt. Chris is one of the most consistent and gentle guys I know. He has a ruff tuff exterior with excellent outdoor skills and a passion for hunting and fishing as well as a love for the mission of teaching boys. His spirit is calming and always a welcome relief in the midst of a camp with boys.

We took two teams out to hunt that evening and this was when Sniper earned his nick-name. At summer camp he was called Crazy Eye’s because he could see things way across the ranch, this time after taking an afternoon skunk at 75 yards he took a doe at 170 yards with his 30/30 rifle. If you don’t know rifles this is a very unusual shot with that type of rifle and especially that far, nothing less than amazing. So the hunt camp was off to a fantastic start and Crazy Eyes became Sniper.

The sun set slowly as the boys built a fire pit and played in the dirt. This is when God reminded me why we do this thing called KOZ. Three of the boys, Sniper, Sarge and T-man sat in the makeshift cabin with me as I prepared the kitchen area and the dinner. T-man started talking about his father. This was a conversation I thought we would have at some point during the weekend – but not this soon and I was not sure “I” was ready, but God was.

He talked openly about how he had a dream an hour before his mom came up and told him his father had died. He talked about  how his sister regretted some things that happened before they lost their dad. He talked about his sister and his mom accepting Christ. At one point he asked if you could loose your salvation.  This went on for hours, it seemed like he had all this stuff built up and he needed to get it out and this was the right time and a safe place. I was humbled and just thinking about it at this moment brings me to tears.

To slow the guys down and bring a sense of still to the cabin that night I read the first few chapters of Genesis out loud. It was cool.

The rooster crowed at 5:30 Saturday morning (we have an alarm clock that crows, the guys love and hate it both). We hunted hard that morning. Half-pint killed a big whitetail doe. Chris guided his team. Both were as proud as a peacock and their feathers were fanned out in all their glory!
At noon we had a scheduled visit from the two San Saba county game wardens. They talked with the boys about accidents and their jobs. They checked their tagged deer and talked about how they had done them correctly (whew!). They concluded with Game Warden pins for them. These guys did not have to do this, especially on the last weekend of deer season, but they did and it was fantastic.

The rest of the afternoon was spent building a rock walkway and adding to the fire pit rocks. Leader Mark Chandler joined us that afternoon as planned and his comic relief is always a highlight of any KOZ event. *see notes after this update

Three teams went out to hunt Saturday afternoon/evening. No success in the harvesting of deer but the boys did great in looking and judging doe and bucks. Tonto chose to pass on a whitetail doe, waiting for a blackbuck doe. A huge lesson in itself that we all talked about. We talked about patience and sticking to a decision you make even if you are tempted to just do what comes easiest or for ego or just to do it because everyone else is doing it.

That night at campfire we talked about salvation and what being saved means. We talked about how you accept Christ and John 3: 16. It was woven inbetween smores, scary stores, bad jokes and one of the longest and stinkiest releases of gas ever at a KOZ campfire, and it was not by Mr. Chandler ( we won’t mention Sniper by name, but if we had an award he would have received it, it was historic).

As we began to prepare for bed T-man was laid back ready for sleep. I was clearing the plywood counter and he chimed in “Mr. TJ”. “Yes,” I replied busily. “I think I would like to get baptized tomorrow.” I stopped and looked at him, his eyes youthful and innocent. He wanted to be sure, he wanted to profess his desire at hunt camp. “You bet, we can talk more tomorrow but yes we can do that.”

I always get worried about baptizing kids at camp. I don’t worry because I am not sure how to do it or if their parents will be mad. I worry that I won’t be able to keep up with them and help them grow following their decision. I have found myself on my knees distraught before a baptism. I know that I am getting into God’s business and that He has it under control, but I carry the burden none-the-less.

The rooster crowed early Sunday morning. All three teams left out with the plan to meet at 9 A.M. back at camp. It was T-man’s turn to shoot, (he was with me as was Sharpshooter). After sitting patiently in the blind for two hours we decided to make a short scout around the ranch on our way back to camp.

We came up on a group of blackbuck doe and snuck into position. I had my .270 in place and T got set up. He had never shot a deer and handled everything well. When the shot presented itself – “click” – oh my gosh, did I not load it – we cocked the gun, nothing had been in the chamber – he got ready again – “click” – and the deer ran off. The shells were not loading. I felt horrible.

It was way past meet time and I was distraught not to mention my team was bummed. We made our way back to camp slowly. Then, out of nowhere a group of whitetail walked out right in front of us. We stopped, I loaded the rifle by hand and T set his sights on the one doe in the group. Carefully, quietly he steadied himself. “Pow”, the doe dropped. We high-fived and loaded the deer, thanks Lord, why do I ever question You?

After packing up we gathered at the water tanks. The tanks are full of clear ice cold water with algae growing on the bottom and the buffalo were meandering in and out drinking from them. T-man affirmed his desire and belief in his Savior. Chandler and I lifted him up and dunked him head first into one of the tanks. It was amazing. I tear up every time I am privileged to share that moment with one of the boys. God made the day very special for T – but I think it was me who get the most out of it.

A stop at the local butcher and taxidermist proved to be a neat experience then off to Coopers Bar-B-Que for a huge lunch. Well deserved and most went into carnivorous meat shock and napped on the way home.

After unloading and while waiting for their parents the boys played tag and Mr. Chandler calf roped, hog tied and stuffed their britches with yard grass. Classic Chandler. 
 
T-man got his first deer and baptized in the same morning. He got to talk about the things on his heart. All the boys were intricate parts of the weekend and the experience. Sniper and his amazing shooting skills and gas release, amazing. Sarge and his leadership skills make him a natural leader for KOZ and the other boys. Half-Pint is a walking smile and his humor is welcome and natural, his unashamed show of affection to the leaders is powerful. Tonto is all boy and his lesson of patience on taking a deer was a lesson to all, maybe even more to the leaders.
All this being said it does not come close to capturing what happened those three days at hunt camp. Thank you Lord for each of these boys and leaders.  KOZ is yours Lord and we are but guides on the hunt for souls – thanks.

As a side note but not less important:

Earlier that Saturday Mark Chandler had held his monthly (3rd Saturday of each month) KOZ Fellowship SW Church meeting in Austin at Mary Moore Searight Park.  Mark, Dr. Buck, Wayne and Chris Tansey had the boys gather and talked about lures that Satan sets before us – then they built fishing lures….pretty smart stuff!

-Wayne left from there (the monthly meeting) to guide a father/son team at a new ranch facility in San Marcos. This was the first time the landowner had met anyone from KOZ. The father sat with his son who harvested his first deer. Wayne and the other son did not get a deer, but the time was special. The landowner and father both gave rave reviews on Wayne and how he handled himself. He is a stellar young man and is a leader for KOZ in so many areas. We can expect big things from Wayne and thanks to his professional image for KOZ the landowner is expressing an interest in other opportunities on their 1500 acre ranch.

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KOZ Father Son Hunt Jan 09

The weather was hot and cold on the Quick Draw Ranch during the KOZ Father Son hunt recently. The one thing that was consistent, the look in the boys eyes as they prepared for the weekend with their fathers. Two pairs pitched tents, two slept in the small bunk house storage building and another slept in the old camper trailer. Each team was set to spend a guy’s weekend, one without showers or toilets, phones or television.

 Perfect guys stuff.

It is an amazing thing how boys, young or older, will adapt to their circumstances. I am proud to say not one boy, not one dad complained about the lack of facilities, the cold weather or the sleepless nights – everyone took it in stride as “part of the deal”.

At night there were loud train sounds coming from the shack and both tents – I personally did not see trains or tracks – but they were there! –note to self, earplugs.

A service project of picking up and organizing the camp area was time well spent and it made an improvement on the land and headquarters area.

The question for the weekend posed Saturday morning before hunting was “what trail are you leaving? – Comparing it to tracking a deer or animal in the woods – the boys and the dads were asked to think about that and come to the fire with their ideas that night.

The hunting was good, as usual on this ranch. Each boy had a chance to harvest a whitetail doe or a blackbuck antelope doe. Every team had a shot; two giant whitetail doe were taken during the hunt.

The fathers talked that day to their sons about leaving a trail that is healthy. That is was important that their trail is one with God walking alongside.  That night at campfire it was evident the fathers had done well thinking through and talking to their boys on how they could leave safe, healthy tracks. It was good.

KOZ guide leader Wayne D. shared his personal testimony at campfire, it was an important time and everyone grew closer to him through it. He is one of the original boys who came to KOZ and it was powerful to hear how KOZ had helped him and his family – especially the relationship with his father. He is now a freshman at Texas A&M.

The ride out on Sunday also proved to be awesome. Stopping at the local taxidermist and meat processor we were asked to donate the brain stem from Devon’s deer to a biologist from Texas Parks and Wildlife. They explained the process to the boys as they cracked open the head and surgically removed the stem – wow.  They boys were also given a tour of the inside of the meat locker and taxidermy shop to the awe of everyone.
The final destination was Coopers Bar-B-Que in Llano for our regular after hunt lunch - the manager approached us to say he remembered us from the earlier hunts; we were able to share the KOZ program with him. We had been joking earlier that we could put Cooper’s on the side of the boys hats as sponsors then they would buy our lunches each trip – however after what I have seen the boys and dads put away after a weekend of hunting it might cost Coopers a bit more that they think!

Author Kent Nerburn once said, “Until you have a son of your own... you will never know the joy, the love beyond feeling that resonates in the heart of a father as he looks upon his son. You will never know the sense of honor that makes a man want to be more than he is and to pass something good and hopeful into the hands of his son. And you will never know the heartbreak of the fathers who are haunted by the personal demons that keep them from being the men they want their sons to be”.

God blessed this time these boys had to spend with their fathers, and the fathers time with the boys. I saw the hearts of the boys – proud to be with their fathers. I saw fathers participating in the lives of the boys – no cell phones, no distractions – just dad. The dads put time in the bank with their boys on this outing – time well spent.
Job well done, true and faithful fathers.
Proverbs (ch. XXII, v. 6)

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

God Bless, TJ Greaney
Executive Director & Chief latrine builder - KOZ

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Daddy Daughter Hunt Dec 12 – 14, 2008

Menard, Texas: Dirty clothes, messed up hair, early mornings and late nights did not seem to be the regular routine that the girls were used to, nor some of the dads. But the time spent together was priceless and all seemed hungry for it.

How do you describe a loving fathers eyes as he watches and listens to his daughter explain to the other girls in camp the time spent with him harvesting her first deer.

The KOZ first father/daughter hunt went very well. All girls harvested deer and one a nice grill size hog. To some this might seem a bit rough for girls, but even the little ones had a big time and never quit, never turned away, never passed up a chance to participate in all the lessons.

Friday afternoon was a day of plentiful harvest on the ranch. Four of the girls took their deer the very first night. That night they learned how to skin and prepare a deer for the freezer or meat market. Cleanliness and proper storage were the key points.

That night the girls made special cookies for their fathers in one cabin as the dads talked about raising Godly daughters, the ups, downs and hardships of being a dad in another. It was apparent that all the dads loved their daughter dearly and they wanted to be the best dad they could.

Saturday the teams looked for turkey and wild hogs. After the morning hunt and a big breakfast the girls spent time in the field. Tracking and trailing deer was the outdoor skills training for the girls on Saturday.

Saturday night all the teams hunted again. Wildlife was everywhere, God creation. A giant moon and beautiful surroundings were not missed.

After a big dinner (that included fresh deer heart) the girls resumed hunting, this time for something special. The two oldest, (14 years) guided the three youngest on their first ever Snipe hunt. Words cannot describe the confusion and then laughter in the girls faces as they realized that snipe hunting was not a real sport that night and that the little creatures in the capture bags were just marshmallows. Now this was funny!

Later that night the daughters made Christmas gifts for their dads and the fathers continued their talk about being a Godly father. The dads concluded by writing letters to their daughters and were to deliver them Sunday night before the girls went to bed.

Sunday morning was a day of harvest for two girls with the last girl to get her deer and a hog taken by another. Camp was packed and the whole group met in Llano at Cooper’s Bar-B-Que for a big lunch with all the fixins’.

 It is hard to explain in words how God moves at these camps. He is so mighty and powerful. The girls grew together and made new friends. They got to be with dad, just dad, and nobody to compete for him with.

Hopefully the dads will have learned that each moment with their daughter are precious and there is no business deal, no email or phone call that can make up for these fleeting moments of childhood where they provide themselves to their daughters. They teach their daughters what to expect from a man who loves them. If the dad is distracted and not fully committed, then the daughter will look for that man in her life.

I am proud of these girls and their fathers. God is working in KOZ and this weekend was His work. The girls grew in so many ways. All the men had a time of reflection, a time to rethink, a time to learn and pray and grow. I was honored to be there.

TJ Greaney -Executive Director KOZ

Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter.  In love to our wives there is desire; to our sons, ambition; but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express.  ~Joseph Addison

The father of a daughter is nothing but a high-class hostage.  A father turns a stony face to his sons, berates them, shakes his antlers, paws the ground, snorts, runs them off into the underbrush, but when his daughter puts her arm over his shoulder and says, "Daddy, I need to ask you something," he is a pat of butter in a hot frying pan.  ~Garrison Keillor