I own an operate a whitetail hunting preserve. I’ve helped hunters take many big whitetails. I’ve even been lucky enough to watch
many young hunters take their first deer. But this one was special! Very special! You see David was diagnosed with leukemia several
years ago. He has been fighting the battle of his young life and had just completed chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. On
his “wish list” he had indicated that one of his dreams was to take a big whitetail. Finally he had gotten that chance. Words can
not describe what everyone involved felt that day. I won’t even try.
The planning for this hunt began several months ago. I don’t
know all the details, but many caring individuals took on the task of cutting the red tape and making this hunt happen. Martin Wilson
initially had got the ball rolling and I got a call from a good friend of mine, Larry Dotson, that our local Central Missouri Chapter
was wanting to sponsor the first “Safari Wish” hunt. He said that they had picked a 17 year old boy who had “wished” for a whitetail
hunt and wanted to know if I was interested in helping out. I immediately accepted. With the help of countless people over the next
several weeks we prepared for David and his family. The chapter bought a new rifle and scope for the hunt and Bill Moore had it sighted
in and ready.
David Franklin, his mother Tina, and Father Alex arrived at Tonanzios restaurant and Cedar Lake Lodge shortly after
noon on Saturday December 9. After unpacking, introductions, and a checkup from Dr. Bill Cravens, the hunting party headed out to
meet Larry and I at our clubhouse. We were joined by Mike Wilmet from Tucson headquarters and Wayne Steele our regional director from
Illinois. More introductions, a safety lesson, a quick session at the shooting range, and we were ready to head to the deer stands.
Everyone was excited, especially David. He just kept smiling the whole way out to the stand. After harvesting the beautiful 13 point
deer, we all celebrated at Tonanzios and told the story of the hunt again and again. On Sunday evening, at the Chapter Christmas Banquet,
the hunt was relived and David was presented with a pair of Leopold Binoculars along with many other gifts. It was a night I’ll never
forget.
This hunt was made possible by the generosity of the Central Missouri Chapter of Safari Club International, the brand new
Safari Wish foundation of Safari Club International, Whitetail Dreams, and many generous people. All of us that were involved want
to thank David, Tina, and Alex for allowing us to make David's Whitetail Dream come true. Believe us when we say that the pleasure
was definitely all ours!
The Safari Wish program is very grateful they had the opportunity to make this wish come true for David before
he passed away in January 2002.