OOLOGAH, Okla. — A cancer-stricken Skiatook boy recently had his wish come true thanks to the combined efforts of Tulsa District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Park Rangers and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Game Wardens.
When Oologah Lake Manager Allen Ryan learned that 9-year-old Spencer Deckard, who is battling his third brain tumor, dreamed of going on a deer hunt, Ryan and rangers Jason Person, Raef Perryman and Rob Mills, and Game Wardens Jeff Brown and Jim Gillham set about making it happen for the youngster.
Spencer is one of a group of young children from the Tulsa metro area with diseases or illnesses referred to as the “Fab Four” who recently benefitted from community fundraisers to help defray medical costs. His father, Mike Deckard, contacted Corps ranger Greg Bersche at Skiatook Lake and told them about his son’s special wish to go on a deer hunt. Bersche relayed the information to Ryan at Oologah Lake.
“It was initially brought to the attention of Corps staff that Spencer’s dream was to go deer hunting ‘and have some horns to put on his wall,’’’ said Ryan. “We thought we could arrange to take Spencer on a deer hunt as an extension of the annual Youth Deer Season that ran Oct. 18-20 and make that wish a reality.”
Ryan contacted Deckard to arrange the event. They also coordinated with ODWC Game Wardens who acted as key facilitators, approved and endorsed the hunt, and trained Spencer on how to safely handle a firearm.
The hunt took place the morning of Oct. 20th at Oologah Lake. Spencer’s father and 17-year-old brother joined him for the hunt. ODWC Game Warden Jeff Brown sat with Spencer in a ground blind to assist him because of the physical limitations caused by Spencer’s condition.
According to Jeff Brown, as he and Spencer sat in the ground blind, they noticed a deer approaching. After several very anxious minutes, the deer eventually presented the perfect broadside-shot opportunity, and Spencer connected. On that Sunday at 8:15 a.m., Spencer’s wish became reality, successfully harvesting a six-point buck.
A local taxidermist volunteered his time to prepare the deer and provide a shoulder mount to Spencer at no cost, and he will soon have some “horns on the wall.” A local meat processing business volunteered to process the venison and provide the meat to the family.
Afterward, Spencer told the group he is “addicted to the outdoors and deer hunting,” and has already asked his father to take him hunting again this fall.
“It was an awesome opportunity for everyone to be a part of,” said Ryan. “Special outdoors activities like this one really keep things in better perspective for all of us. Congratulations to Spencer and his family on this great achievement. Our thoughts and prayers for their family continue.”