QDMAYOUTH

HUNTER'S CHALLENGE TOP SCORING YOUTH WINS QDMA HUNT

As the top scorer in the Youth Class in our "Hunters Challenge 3-D Qualifier" this past August 09, Travis Gesell, 10th Grade
Student from FSK High School in Carroll County was nominated for the QDMA's National Youth Hunt in Georgia. His
nomination was accepted and Travis and his Grandfather attended this national event. This was the first time any youth
from Maryland has even been nominated for this event. When we contacted Travis that he was accepted to attend the first
thing he said was "You're Kidding" the second thing was "Can I take my bow?" We asked him to take pictures and to write a
little report up so to share with the other youth that attended our 3-D event and so we can post them on our website. Pictures
are shown below. Travis returned from his hunt and had harvested two Doe. As Travis had not harvested a deer with his
bow yet, Cheri and I took Travis along with us on a Sunday hunt at our Frederick QDM property November 1. He was in
sight of my stand and did get a chance at an old doe, but missed as the old doe string jumped his arrow. As we were
walking back to the truck we talked about the miss. He called me the other day with the news that he had harvested a doe
at this farm. We have Travis's letter below exactly as he wrote it. We are happy Travis was able to attend and glad that he
had a good time.
Respectfully,
E.W. Grimes, Director/President
Maryland State Chapter QDMA

"I'm Travis Gesell; I went on a youth hunt in Georgia that the Bachman Valley Branch QDMA nominated me for. Well first I
went to a 3-D shoot down at Schrader's Bridgetown Manor and I shot a 277 and I was the top youth there. Then E.W. Grimes
awarded me the nomination to go on this hunt. I just got so excited because I always wanted to go on a hunt. Then I waited
for a couple of weeks to hear if I got picked to go. Then one day I got a call from E.W. and he said that I was picked to go.
Then I got really excited because my dreams were coming true. Then I got the paperwork and everything came together.
Then the day came to fly to Georgia and by the way this was the first time that I ever flown, it was different.

My grandfather who came along with me hadn't flown for 20 years. My grandmother kept telling us to get at the airport like
two hours before our flight and we went through everything and heading to the gate in ten minutes. Then we got on the plane
and it took off. It was a different feeling. I felt better on the way back then going down. Then my grandfather and I got to
Atlanta airport and we walk to the underground train to pick up our bags and it was easier to pick up the bags there than
BWI. Then we met Miss Palmer Pope of QDMA. Then it took us 2 or more hours to get to the farm. While driving to the farm
we cross into Alabama then back into Georgia. It was rolling hills then after we cross a bridge it was flat. Then my
grandfather and I said that it just looks like the Eastern shore. Then we got to the farms main lodge and it was big.

Then we went inside and it was nice and they had beams in there like over 300 years old. Then we went to our cabins that
were like 5 miles away from the main lodge and we unpacked. Then we went outside to walk around and I saw a cotton field
for the very first time and I tell you that the plants where taller than me. Also one of their fields is like a farm here. On the
farm they just have peanuts and cotton fields. Then everyday they had logging trucks going up and down the road. Then we
all went to a place they called Sugar Hill and it is right on the Chattahoochee River and you can see Alabama also. That's
where we all met the QDMA members and the staff of WC. Bradley's Farm.

That's where we had dinner at and we got to know all the people there and they gave us some stuff. And the next day we
went to the lodge and we ate and we were partner up with our guides and I had the head guy of the deer, he was in charge
of the deer hunts there and his name was Jonathon and he was a great guide for me. Then we met the army guys who
trained for snipers and they taught us some stuff like how to shoot our rifles and had a class were to place the shot and now
that's where I will place the shot because it drops the deer in its tracks. Then after we did that we took 3 shots from a tree
stand from 75, 100 and 150 yards and I hit all of them. After that we had lunch at the lodge and I talk to Jonathon and got to
know him a little bit more and when we got done hunting I ask him some questions and he would answer them.

Then after a while the army guys gave us some stuff for taking their safety class. They gave us movies, some decals and a
tee-shirt. Then we went on our first hunt and I went to a tripod and at the last minute I shot my first deer of the hunt it was a
little doe, the deer aren't as big down there like they are here. Then we loaded it up and went to the skinning shed and I
saw the other hunters who shot deer and how the guide's field dress the deer and how to take the jawbone out. Then we had
dinner and shared the stories. Then the next morning we went hunting and we saw some bucks but no shooters. Then I was
the last one back and this other kid shot a very nice 8 point and my guide was going to take me there but at the last minute
he changed his mind. Then we had lunch and just hung out at the lodge. Then we met one of the Georgia DNR officers and
he told us stories about the people that he caught spot lighting or baiting or poaching.

Then we went back out hunting and I went to a stand and we were just waiting for the deer to show up and Jonathon and I
heard the army guys shooting their guns. Jonathon said that we aren't going to see anything so we moved to a different
stand and we spooked two does going into the stand and we had chipmunks all around us the whole time. Then it was
getting late again and had two does come out in front of us and I shot the close one. When we got to the doe and there were
scrapes all over the place there. Then we went to the skinning shed and another person got their very first deer ever and
she was happy. I was waiting and another kid had shot a deer too.

Then we went back to the lodge and we ate. The food was very good too, they just wanted for me to eat and eat but I
couldn't eat anymore. Then they gave us more stuff and I was surprised at what they gave us. I got a rangefinder, Tee -
shirts, hats, CDs, my soft case that I carry the gun that I used while I was there and a backpack and a bag that all was
packed full with things. Then we all just hung out there and we went back to the cabin and I packed. Then the next morning
we just hung out and they had a fair well ceremony and we got a little booklet with a picture of all the kids together. Then it
was another hour or so back to Atlanta airport then we came home.

For me this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. If I had the chance to do it again I would do it. I would like to thank the
Maryland State Chapter QDMA for this wonderful trip that I will remember for the rest of my life and enjoying it with my
grandfather. I would like to thank Mr. E.W. Grimes for everything he has done.
Thank you so much."
Travis Gesell