Young hunters help elderly by donating venison

WORLAND — Six young 12- and 13-year-old hunters, and one 16-year-old helped out residents by donating venison from recent hunts.

Game Warden Matt Lentsch said the program was the Young Hunters Care project sponsored by the Paintrock Hunter Mentor Program. 

“Originally we had seven kids but one had the flu and could not participate.” Those participating in the hunting and processing of the wild game meat were Felix Lentsch, Charlie Russell, Christian Peterson, Eric Mastre, Josh Mastre and Jenna Grzybowski.

“This provided them an extra chance to hunt this year and give someone 40 pounds of deer meat,” Lentsch said.

He said Bill Bell instructed the venison processing and Pete Smet donated the use of facilities and supplies at Right Choice Processing.  Lentsch coordinated the event. Cody Bish (Kaycee game warden), Kevin Ryan of Thermopolis, Ken Searfoss of Hyattville and Lentsch mentored the kids on the hunts. 

The hunts were done on or near Nov. 11 with the processing completed Nov. 11.

Martin Mercer, John Alm and Gust Mastre allowed the kids to hunt their property.

A total of seven deer, 300 pounds, of processed venison were donated, mostly to the elderly in the Worland and Manderson area, Lentsch said.

He said Paintrock Hunter Mentor Program purchased leftover licenses for the program.