Iraq Veteran Honored for His Service Story and Photos by Mac Minard

Executive Director Montana Outfitters and Guides Association

November, 2009 When Joshua Wofford crossed the Iraqi berm on March 20, 2003 as part of the American force headed to Baghdad he did not know it would be 93 more days before he had the simple pleasure of a shower. During Operation Iraqi Freedom he and his team fought every day with little food and rest during that push to Baghdad six yeas ago. Now back home Joshua has time to come to Montana and enjoy a well deserved trip to hunt mule deer in eastern Montana. Montana Outfitters and Guides Big Hearts under the Big Sky have teamed up with Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) to provide a special trip for this extraordinary man.

John and Jeanie Wilkinson of Cottonwood Outfitters hosted Joshua. They welcomed into their home and shared meals with friends and family. As you can see from the pictures he enjoyed the benefits of fellowship, the grandeur of the western outdoors and the opportunity to collect a nice mule deer.

Of his trip Joshua wrote the following:

On Thanksgiving Day of 2009, I was treated to a Mule deer hunt in Montana by H.A.V.A. (Honored American Veterans Afield). The trip was unbelievable from start to finish. Everyone acted as if they were all friends of mine that I had not seen in some time. From meeting Mac Minard (with Montana Outfitters and Guides Association) at the airport in Billings to shaking hands John Wilkinson (Cottonwood Outfitters) and after scoring big on a nice Mule deer buck, the trip had that unique feeling of camaraderie. As I boarded the plane to head home that following Monday, I not only left Montana with a nice trophy and some good memories, I left with new friendships and a more positive outlook. All throughout this nations' history you can read about men and women coming together to do great things. During our time period, H.A.V.A. and M.O.G.A. are two organizations that are made up of those people. As a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I can honestly say that it is the Mac Minards and Tom Talyors out there that made my career as an Infantry Soldier worthwhile. I could not have asked for anything else that would made my Montana Mule deer hunt anymore rewarding. Thank you, Joshua Wofford Army Infantry Veteran

Operation Iraqi Freedom Like thousands of others, Joshua, through his service to our country has helped keep us free to enjoy the pleasures of a hunt in Montana. Our young men and women are enduring the hardships of war every day. Through the Big Hearts under the Big Sky program Montana’s outfitters are making their operations much more then a destination. These trips serve as springboard back to a productive life and an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends in a comfortable setting. They are also a way for us all to say thank you one soldier at a time. We at MOGA were honored to host Joshua on this trip. He earned it!

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Young Disabled Hunter Scores with Big Hearts Program Story and Photos by Mac Minard

Executive Director Montana Outfitters and Guides Association

November, 2009

Daric and his Grandfather Barry traveled from New York to Montana for a Hunt of a Lifetime. While here under the Big Skies of Montana, Daric who is 15, found natural beauty, fellowship and new experiences that helped refresh the soul. After making some final adjustments to a custom shooting bench- made just for this hunt, and fine tuning the Trophy Shot gun sight system that allows the sight picture to be viewed on a screen, we went to the range.

After just two sighting shots he was able to “ring the bell” at 200 and 300 yards consistently. His first deer, a nice muley buck was collected after a couple hour spot and stalk style hunt. Daric made a great shot at 330 yards, placing the bullet perfectly for a one shot clean kill.

MOGA’s Big Hearts under the Big Sky teamed up with Hunt of a Lifetime, Outfitter Russ Kipp, Cabela’s, and the Saint Louis chapter of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to provide this trip to an extraordinary person. The Trophy Shot sighting system use in this hunt is manufactured by Wildlife Optics http://www.wildlifeoptics.com and was provided by Ricky Hope. Of his trip Daric said “The moment we stepped off the plane (in Bozeman) and saw all the mountains my trip was made.”

He also said after collecting his deer “Taking an animal is a highlight but just being here in this beautiful country with my Grandpa makes me very thankful for everyone who helped make this possible.” Daric is an inspirational person who focuses on his abilities rather than his disabilities, he is a great student in school, fun to be with in the field and a truly remarkable

person.

Military Spouse Recognized for Her Service

Story and Photos by Mac Minard Executive Director

Montana Outfitters and Guides Association November, 2009

May 13, 2009

When her husband received his appointment to Special Forces no one asked Donna Stube to raise her right hand and repeat the oath given to all new Green Beret soldiers. Her commitment and future sacrifices were to be none-the-less shared as her husband was deployed time an again in the dangerous places these elite soldiers serve. Donna, like thousands of other military spouses left behind are going about the business of raising families, paying bills, and in short marinating the very culture her husband was off fighting (and risking his life) to protect. Donna was selected for this trip to honor her service as a spouse of a military service man who was severely wounded in battle in Afghanistan in September 2006. Greg’s injuries threatened to take his life and his nearly 2 years of recovery became the sole purpose of Donna’s efforts. In addition to attending to their young son Gregory, Donna, like so many other military spouses, unselfishly put on hold her own plans and ambitions and devoted herself to her injured husband and young family. It is a very heavy load that military families carry for the benefit of us all. Donna’s story is not unique in our country. Thousands of other military spouses find themselves in supporting roles that often go unnoticed and unappreciated. All too often the burden becomes too great and the result is a shattered family. The trip was sponsored under MOGA’s Big Hearts under the Big Sky program and our affiliate HAVA (Honored American Veterans Afield). Ruger arms and Beretta donated guns and gear to the effort as well. Mike and Mona with Rollin Boulder Outfitters hosted the trip and created a family environment for Donna and her husband Greg who came to support her. Every meal was family style with the Lovely family including the children and extended family members. Mike and his father Don and Mona’s father Bob all worked very hard to find a great bear for Donna. Hours were spent glassing and several stalks were made. Anyone who knows spring black bear hunting in Montana know what a challenge it can be. This group of experienced outfitters was able to get the job done safely and have fun doing it. Mike said that Donna’s bear is the biggest he has helped take in his career. Donna made an exceptional one shot kill on this bear at around 200 yards using a new rifle given to her by Ruger Arms. Within the Big Hearts under the Big Sky program, MOGA members team up with HAVA to provide military service men and women who have provided extraordinary service to their country. We do this in a manner that includes the family as well in an

effort to create an environment that allows them to reconnect as a family. This is a powerful program that touches the lives of all involved in a very positive manner. “I know I speak for all of MOGA when I say that it is an honor and a privilege to afford a trip like this to Donna Stube in recognition of her efforts to support Greg and her contribution to his service to our country” said Mac Minard Executive Director of MOGA. The entire hunt was filmed by ORION Multimedia and will be aired on national TV sometime this year.

Honored American Veteran Reconnects with Outdoors

Story and Photos by Mac Minard Executive Director

Montana Outfitters and Guides Association November, 2008

I am just recently back from a trip to Broadus, MT where I joined (horned in) Greg Stube on a donated hunt offered by Russ and Carol Greenwood of Doonan Gulch Outfitters. As some of you know, Russ and Carol have offered hunts to disabled veterans for 26 years. It is a powerful example of public service and giving back to community and country.

Although severely wounded in a battle in Afghanistan 2 years ago, in which Greg and approximately 30 other Special Forces soldiers fought nearly 1,600 Taliban, Greg is anything but disabled. Yes, he did spend nearly two years in hospitals with his wife Donna at his side, and yes, there is lasting physical damage to his body from an IED and being raked by a machine gun. But his message of love, service, and personal responsibility are profound. He is a true American hero, although he would be the

last person to use that term. The days I spent with Greg will affect me the rest of my life. As a soldier he has transitioned from the ultimate warrior to a spokesman for the military offering a story of success in the war on terror that the mainstream media refuses to print. And, he has transitioned from a person who relied on Herculean physical ability to a man now focused on his family. Greg also is focused on his abilities rather than his disabilities, a message he delivers in a very compelling manner. In his spare time (of which he has very little) he is working with a dedicated group of folks and sponsors on a project labeled HAVA which stands for Honored American Veterans Afield. Under this program deserving military service men and women who have demonstrated extraordinary service to their country are placed on outdoor trips as a means to reconnect with their love of the outdoors, rekindle the comradeship that comes

from outdoor adventure and find time to get away with family and rediscover themselves and the family bond. Russ and Carol Greenwood recognized the unique opportunity that Outfitters have in providing these types of trips. Many of our MOGA outfitters are offering these services in one manner or another, and have for years. We provide trips to children with life threatening illness, we are now working with women who are challenged with

breast cancer, and we help exceptional service men and women reconnect with the outdoors. We have retooled the Educational Institute to now house a program labeled Big Hearts under the Big Sky. Under this program MOGA members hosted three wounded veterans

this season. John and Jeannie Wilkinson took two exceptional Montana National Guardsmen for a week of deer hunting and Russ Kipp hosted a family of four on a trip to

Polaris to hunt mule deer. The fact they all got trophies is overshadowed by the obvious and lasting effects these trips had on these outstanding people and their hosts. Greg will be joining us for the Convention and Banquet. I encourage all of your to come hear his message of service to community and country and to hear first hand about his personal mission to make sure that deserving people in uniform get the support they need to become active and productive neighbors as they themselves transition from

protecting us as Americans to taking care of themselves and their families.

Oh, by the way, Greg shot a heck of a deer!

Editor’s note: Montana outfitters and guides have become well-known for giving back to their communities in a number of diverse ways. In this series of articles, we highlight individual stories of those contributions. This first article tells the story of annual hunts offered to disabled veterans by Doonan Gulch Outfitters in Broadus, Montana. Big Sky Country Provides Big Hunt for Injured War Veterans For some, it’s a hunt they never thought they’d have. Veterans from Viet Nam, Iraq and Afghanistan are given an outdoor experience like no other when they are able to take part in a sponsored antelope hunt provided each year Russ and Carol Greenwood of Doonan Gulch Outfitters in Broadus, Montana in conjunction with the VFW. As members of the

Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, the Greenwoods are happy to share their stories. It’ll be 26 years this coming fall that Greenwood has been taking disabled vets out on the trail. He didn’t like the way Viet Nam vets were treated when they got home; after all, his twin brother had flown

helicopters in View Nam. When Russ saw returning vets subjected to name calling like “baby killers,” and saw things being thrown at them, he decided that those who had given so much for their country deserved to have something given back. Starting out slowly with one hunt a year, Doonan Gulch Outfitters now provides eight free antelope hunts a year. Greenwood linked up with VFW Magazine his third year out, and the magazine is now is his channel for finding vets who meet the criteria for a trip. A coupon appears in the magazine for anyone 100% disabled whose disability is combat-related; they have to have a purple heart to qualify. They had to develop criteria in order to get licenses for disabled veterans, but they’ve kept it simple and straightforward. VFW magazine does the background check and chooses the names.

Iraq veteran Neil Frustaglio, pictured at left, went on the trip last year. Frustaglio lost both legs above the knee in December of 2005 while stationed in Ramadia, Iraq, with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. Neil was recommended for the hunting trip by Bill, a Viet Nam veteran he met while at Walter Reed Hospital, who was himself a double amputee and

provided a good look at what an amputee can really do. Within two months of his amputations, Neil had received his new legs and was up and walking; and three months after completing rehab, he went on the hunting trip. Joining him were two Viet Nam vets; together they spent four days with Russ, Carol and Roger Greenwood, and “had a great time. . . . I learned from the ‘old guys,’ he says with a smile. “I was pretty aware of what it was possible to do (as an amputee); but any little assurance helps. I looked at my friend Bill from Walter Reed; he’d been injured 35 years ago, and he was still able to go hunting and kayaking and all these things; so I knew what was possible – but knowing and being able to go and do it are two different things. . . The opportunity to go there, to eastern Montana, to be able to hunt pronghorn like we did – it was a beautiful hunt, I enjoyed it thoroughly; we had a great few days out there. It was an awesome opportunity; I’d never hunted in wide-open terrain like that before. Where I grew up, 100 yards is a long shot; on this hunt, I shot mine at 270 yards and Skip shot his about 280.” Frustaglio would definitely encourage other vets to apply for the trip; especially those from east of the Mississippi: “We’re not used to that wide-open country. The whole crew out there took great care of us; we ate very well!” The trips are co-sponsored by Safari Club International, headquartered in Pennsylvania, as well as by the Greenwoods themselves. The veteran pays for nothing; even transportation is donated. The Greenwoods consider their service to simply be a part of what they do as outfitters and guides, on both personal and professional levels. (See the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association at http://www.montanaoutfitters.org.) The four-day antelope hunts take place in and around Broadus, in south central Montana, each October. Located at the 4,000-foot in elevation and bordering the Custer National Forest, “It’s one of the most gorgeous parts of Montana,” says Greenwood. . The hunts are so popular that this year is already booked up; applications are being taken now for the fall of 2009. The paperwork can take a long time; one requirement is that the veteran’s physician has to fill out part of the application. But for these veterans, every bit of time, planning and paperwork has been worth it.

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Hunt of a Lifetime – A Partnership to Make Dreams Come True.

By Donna McDonald

Upper Canyon Outfitters Partnership – is a word I thought I knew the meaning of but it was not until last fall that my husband Jake and I were able to understand and appreciate its full meaning. We experienced first hand what can happen when many individuals, organizations, businesses, and government agencies come together to form a partnership that makes a young man’s dream come true. This is a story about a remarkable young man, his family, and a unique partnership program that is far greater than the sum of its individual parts.

Last February, during the sportsman show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, I had the opportunity to meet Tina Pattison, the founder of Hunt of a Lifetime. I learned from Tina that a Hunt of a Lifetime was established in August of 1999 as a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide terminally ill children and young adults the opportunity to fulfill the hunting or fishing adventure of their dreams. This organization was started when Tina’s son, Matt, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease. Matt’s dream was to experience a Canadian wilderness moose hunting adventure. Today Hunt of a Lifetime, continues to make dreams come true with the help and partnerships of many.

Jake and I both believe, as other MOGA members do, that as a member of the outfitting industry we have a responsibility to share our connection to the natural world with others. Like many outfitters it was our passion for the outdoors and rugged outdoor life that originally brought us to outfitting as a profession. The satisfaction we gain by helping those who do not have the means and/or the skill to enjoy the natural world as we know it is incredibly rewarding. It is all part of passing on the hunting and outdoor heritage. When we learned of the Hunt of a Lifetime program and saw the opportunity for us to help out a young person who had been dealt a tough hand, we jumped at the chance. We felt this was a commitment we needed to make. Tina called in September and told us about Mike Kautz, a young man from Pennsylvania who had been diagnosed with cancer last May. Tina asked if we would be interested in helping out; it was always Mike’s dream to participate in a Montana hunt. According to his Dad “Michael was having a hard time dealing with the fact his life had been turned upside down by cancer. He thought he knew what was going to happen after high school and what he wanted to do with his life. That all changed.” Jake and I quickly agreed to host Mike and his father Jim on a deer and elk hunt over Thanksgiving week. It was about this point in the adventure that Jake and I found out how powerful partnerships can be.

With the support of donors and sponsors equipment and travel expenses were provided. “Two weeks prior to his hunt Mike had received all the equipment he needed for the trip including clothing, boots, hunting gear, gun, and airline tickets,” Jim Kautz, Michaels father gratefully proclaimed. This partnership between numerous sponsors, donors, and caring individuals made it possible for Mike to have the equipment necessary to enjoy his hunt to the fullest. Because Mike is from Pennsylvania he needed a nonresident big game license and tags in order to hunt in Montana. Initially we were not sure if he could get a license to hunt in the state this late into the year. I picked up the phone and called Hank Worsech, Licensing Bureau Chief with the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, and I was delighted to find that the State of Montana created an Exceptional Youth License which the department may issue free of charge to a youth who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. This license, through the partnership with the MT. FWP, made it possible for Mike to hunt in Montana. Mike and his father Jim joined us during Thanksgiving week. The early season had been good hunting, but now with the lack of snow on the ground we knew we were in for some challenging days. Jake and I always want to do the best we can for our clients but Mike and his Dad were fast becoming more than that to us. I was secretly concerned that given the weather and tough conditions we could have a long week on our hands. We knew that Mike would have to pace himself physically to be able to hunt the entire week. The type of cancer he has, like many other forms, causes fatigue that can not be countered with just a good nights rest. We expected to see a slow drain on his physical stamina and ability over the week. Although we had our expectations Mike, through is enthusiasm and actions, showed us that he had other ideas about how this week was to go. For his part, Mike had a wonderful outlook and was always upbeat. One thing that really impressed us all was his willpower and the positive encouragement he spread throughout camp. His positive attitude and good nature was infectious and we all focused our efforts on the task of offering a great hunting experience for Mike and his father. One of the challenges Mike faced was a product of his treatment for cancer. After chemotherapy the arteries in his arms had weakened making it difficult for him to carry his pack and rifle. Mike’s father Jim took his pack, but Mike would not give up his rifle. Carrying a heavy gun through the forested mountains of Montana is no easy task, even for an experienced hunter. But Michael Kautz, a young hunter who was living out his dream, was as determined a hunter as we had seen. He carried his own gun. Jake, who was guiding Mike, said they had seen a very nice deer several times but unfortunately had not been able to get into position for a shot. Mike had had a brief opportunity for a shot but elected to pass on it because he was not sure of the outcome. Mike did not let up and fially his relentless efforts, positive attitude, and willpower paid off. After two long days of riding, glassing, hunting, and stalking, Mike was now in

position to take a shot at a very respectable 4x4 mule deer buck. In spite of the encouragement from Jake and his father to SHOOT, Mike held his shot until it was perfect. At the bark of the rifle his trophy fell. With one well placed shot Mike had collected his first Montana trophy and made a lifetime memory for all involved. Due to the mild weather and the nature of elk movements we had been struggling to get Mike into the elk. Through an unsolicited offer from a neighbor, who had heard of Mike and his dream hunt, we were able to gain access to some ground that had some elk on it. On day four of the hunt and the prospect of finding some elk on new ground, Mike was awake long before daylight and ready to go. Following a full day of scouting and hunting they had found a place where a group of elk had fed and then entered the thick timber to bed down for the day. Chances were good they would be back there in the evening to feed again. Jake and Mike decided to return for an evening hunt. Mike, his father and Jake worked within three hundred yards of the timber and settled in to wait. The gamble paid off as about an hour before dark the group detected elk moving from the timbers edge. Mike once again positioned his rifle, and without hesitation, delivered a single shot that dropped the lead cow. There is no greater thrill than to see the smile on Mike’s face, and the pride in his fathers eyes, after he had harvested his first elk. It was an emotional moment that was shared between Mike and his father and will always be fondly remembered by everyone at the camp that week. For many hunters the harvesting of their elk marks the end of their hunt; not for Michael. Following his exciting hunt, his ambition and dedication for hunting did not rest with only his harvest, the next day Mike helped my father, Bill Tate, retrieve his harvested buck. Mikes compassion for his fellow hunters and his appreciation for the outdoors made Jake and I realize that the hunting tradition is an important foundation in many people’s lives, and we are proud to help preserve the hunting legacy. According to Jim Kautz, Mikes father, who wrote Jake and Donna in the days that followed the hunt, “After having met Donna and Jake McDonald Mike seemed to have gotten back some of his positive outlook on life. Mike doesn’t seem to be lost anymore.” The trip, wrote Jim Kautz, “helped my son in more ways than I could ever hope to write down or even tell anyone about. It has also helped me. Which it never was intended to do. But it is a byproduct of this trip. Michael is my oldest. I believe in humanity again. The people who wish to make a difference in a child’s life are rare. All who do are true saints, Donna and Jake McDonald helped mine. And I have a host of new friends, in Donna, Jake McDonald, Donna’s mom & dad, and their staff at Upper Canyon Outfitters. We will never forget them or the wonderful time we had in Montana with all of them, both while hunting and at their lodge. The companionship and camaraderie is priceless.” In a letter that Mike wrote about his hunt he said

“During my trip at Upper Canyon Outfitters I met a lot of nice people and I had an awesome time. I didn’t feel as if I was in another state and was a guest/client at the lodge, I felt as if I were home. When we arrived at Bozeman Airport, I had a feeling I was going to have a great time on my trip. And guess what, I did have a great time. I had a blast, from getting some basics on how to ride a horse and then getting a chance to do some riding was awesome. However, I had more fun going hunting and getting Jake McDonald back into the thrill of guiding hunts again. Even if I wouldn’t have gotten a mule deer or the elk that I harvested, I still would’ve had fun. Hanging out with my dad and Jake McDonald was a lot of fun. Jake and Donna McDonald both are awesome people, and they take pride in what they do. If I had the chance to go back I would, I would gladly go back to Upper Canyon Outfitters no matter what it cost me.”

As for Jake and I we both felt humbled from the experience. We learned as much from him as he did from us. We were a small part of helping to grant Mike his wish. Without the combined efforts from many partners his dream of a Montana deer and elk hunt would have been left unfulfilled and the memories never made. It is nice to know that through Hunt of a Lifetime, and the partnerships created though common beautiful cause, that a remarkable young man and his family can realize their dreams and that wishes come true.