OAK CREEK WHITETAIL RANCH HOSTS SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL'S PATHFINDER YOUTH HUNT
Oak Creek Whitetail Ranch hosted the Safari Club International Pathfinder Youth hunt, and Mike Rogers "Expedition Safaris" TV crew for a wonderful hunt, September 15-17, 2011.
Zach Herbert and Eddie Siemer were selected by Donald Hill as the 2011 Safari Club International Pathfinder Hunters. The Pathfinder Hunt is a benevolent event organized by SCI to recognize a couple young hunters who have overcome their physical challenges...and who possess the desire to shoot a trophy whitetail deer.
16-year-old Zach Herbert, of New Haven, MO, who comes from a family of five children, was diagnosed with Stage III Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma in January 2011. Eddie Siemer, a 15-years-old, of Teutopolis, IL, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in April 2011. Both of these young men are currently undergoing rigorous chemotherapy in their battle with cancer at Costas Center at Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
Donald Hill, owner of Oak Creek Whitetail Ranch, donated the 2011 Pathfinder Hunt for the SCI Convention in Reno, NV. (He has also donated the Pathfinder Hunt for 2012 to SCI). The hunt was purchased by a generous SCI member who wanted to support the Pathfinder program. The buyer elected not to hunt himself, but rather deferred the opportunity to hunt at Oak Creek Whitetail Ranch to the two fine young men who were selected to be honored in recognition of their gallant ongoing battles against cancer.
SCI Expedition Safaris camerman, Rick, Eddie Siemer, Donald Hill, Zach Herbert and his twin brother, Ben,
are pictured here showing Eddie and Zach’s two sets of huge Oak Creek Whitetail Ranch antlers. Well done fellows!
Eddie Siemer, left (back to camera), and Zach Herbert, being filmed buring an interview with SCI's
Expedition Safaris TV show host, Mike Rogers, (off camera).
Mike Rogers and SCI Officials, asked Donald Hill to personally select two worthy young people who have demonstrated extreme courage in overcoming their illnesses and who were dedicated young hunters. Donald went to work, contacting the Costas Center at Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis for assistance in selecting two worthy young people. Zach and Eddie were selected based upon Donald’s assessment of their individual situations, personal character and their desire to shoot a big whitetail deer.
Donald Hill, (foreground), owner of Oak Creek Whitetail Ranch, Eddie Siemer, (center), Mike Rogers, (left),
and camerman, Rick, (background), get ready for their first evening hunt in an elevated blind, during Eddie Siemer’s
Pathfinder hunt.
"I first met with Kristen Lange at Cardinal Glennon Hospital and explained the concept of the Pathfinder Hunt. She called me back the next day with her recommendations. I called the families to discuss the hunt and then went to the hospital to meet the boys. Right then I knew we had found a couple great families and two fine young men so offered them the hunts," says Donald Hill.
Read more about Zach
Read more about Eddie
Oak Creek Whitetail Ranch
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www.oakcreekwhitetailranch.com
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