When I was growing up in the country, if we wanted to hunt or fish, we went. There was no thought of needing help because every other kid I knew was like me; there were none with disabilities who weren’t able to do what I did.
Think of a youngster, nose pressed against the window glass as he sits in a wheelchair,
legs supported by braces as he can only look longingly out the window at other kids doing what he’d love to do. His disability keeps them behind the window rather than being out and doing what his little heart wishes he could.
Enter Jeff Warren and his organization for special needs kids, Dream Hunt Foundation.
You have to wonder how in the world Warren has the time from his full-time work in
construction, remodeling and owning a crawfish restaurant to kick start an organization that helps special needs youngsters.
The mission statement for the organization, Dream Hunt Foundation, sets the tone for why he has continued what he started in the spring of 2013.
It reads…”Dream Hunt Foundation desires to take kids on the hunt of a lifetime. We want to provide them a positive experience in a tough season of their life, teach them principles from a trusted adult that goes beyond the hunt and create a platform to share the hope we have in Christ.”
Warren, who lives south of Shreveport in Stonewall, launched the organization because of his vision of putting something together that would give special needs youngsters the chance to participate in activities they previously could only dream about.
“Obviously, there is no way we could do what we do without having sponsors coming
alongside of us, groups who believe in what we’re doing and are generously sponsoring events that help us fund what we do,” Warren said.
One such group, Dowlings Processing in Simsboro, is one of those groups that has come alongside Warren to help out.
On March 11, Dowlings is sponsoring a sporting clays shoot with funds generated targeting Dream Hunt Foundation.
“Dowlings is a great organization that helped us last year. They raised between $5000 and $6000 a year ago. When you think that it costs us about $500 a kid to get everything set up for an event, what they did a year ago gave 12 kids the opportunity to do something they would have never been able to do,” said Warren.
Anyone wishing to participate in the Dowling event should contact Colby Sherrard at
Dowlings at 247-6451.
Other groups that have come aboard to help include a group in Bryceland that hosted a special feral hog hunt last year raising some $5000. In addition, there are golf tournaments in Shreveport and Monroe and a sporting clays event in Ferriday along with a big raffle at the end of the year that are raising funds for Dream Hunt Foundation.
“One thing of importance is the fact that what we do is not just for youngsters in our
area,” said Warren. “Since the program began we have had up to 2,000 kids from all around the country take part in the program. Our records show that we were able to offer 400 kids the opportunity for a special hunt or fishing event last year.”
Hopefully this message will touch the hearts of individuals who would like to get
involved. Visit info@dreamhunt.tv to find out how.
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Caney Lake Landing has been renovated with a new name and is now open for business at the bridge on Highway 4. Bass are beginning to move into the coves and pockets and are hitting soft plastics, jigs and crank baits. Carolina rigs are picking up some nice bass fishing underwater humps and drop-offs. A good many buck bass to around 4 pounds are hitting with big females on the verge of moving in. Crappie are still in fairly deep water around brush and hitting shiners or jigs. No report on bream or catfish.. For information contact Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BLACK BAYOU – Crappie are improving around the trees on jigs or shiners. Bass are improved around the trees on a variety of lures. No report bream. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Big bass are turning on with Robby Roberts landing a new lake record 15.36 pounds. Flipping soft plastics around brush has been the ticket. Some big crappie to around 3 pounds have been caught with shiners or small spinners working best. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The water is still a bit high and few anglers have been going out. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Crappie are making the move toward staging areas with some good catches made on shiners or jigs. Bass are beginning to move up as well and some good fish have been caught fairly shallow on spinners, crank baits and topwater lures. Bream are not yet ready but lots of catfish were caught fishing cold worms and night crawlers off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Bass are starting to move toward the shallow spawning areas with some nice fish caught on soft plastics, topwater lures and crank baits. Crappie are still best fishing deep water with jigs and shiners picking up some fish. Catfishing is good on a variety of baits. No report on bream or stripers. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfishing is good. Crappie fishing is improving on jigs and shiners as the fish begin to move more shallow with some big ones around 2 ½ pounds caught. Bass are starting to improve on soft plastics. No report on bream. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is fairly high but due for a slow fall. No fishermen this week. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.
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