I Got It!

By Michael Pearce

Kiera McNellis has changed a lot since last fall, and all for the better.

Kiera McNellis’ life changed, for the better, when she got her first deer on a Shooting Sports Outreach Program, sponsored by Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors. One of the best things, is that she and her father, Jim, now have a way to share some high-quality time outdoors.

It began with her “I got iiiiiittt!,” super-sonic scream a split-second after she harvested her first deer on an Elk County hunt last October. It was the first of eight hunts Kiera was on last fall and winter with the Shooting Sports Outreach Program, sponsored by Pass It On-Outdoor Mentors.

Her father, Jim, said the 15-year-old is happier, more mature and more self-confident than ever, and their father-daughter relationship has grown from good to “great.”

“I have never seen her so excited, so happy,” said McNellis, of Burlingame. “She was shaking so hard (when the deer came into sight) but I was proud she calmed down, made the shot then she started shaking even harder.  I’ll be making time to take her from now on. We’ve really been having fun together.”

For over 19 years, Pass It On-Outdoor Mentors has been working with Big Brothers Big Sisters programs to pair youth with an interest in the outdoors with experienced mentors who would take them fishing, target shooting, camping or hunting.

The Shooting Sports Outreach Program began June 2019. It’s primarily designed to help youth who are already active target shooters but want to learn about hunting. Many come from Kansas’ 100-plus high school trap shooting teams.

Both programs have been heavily supported by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks. The agency has often provided quality places to hunt and furnished equipment. Youth also complete the KDWP Hunter Education Program, which is good for life and recognized in all 50 states.

Mike Christensen, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors president, said since Sept. 1, 2020 the Shooting Sports Outreach Program has hosted 551 beginning hunters on over 206 hunts. He expects that number to soon double. It’s not just restricted to students, either.

“We don’t turn anybody down if they want to learn,” said Christensen. “We’ve had a few adults contact us and we say, ‘sure, we can help you.’”

As well as deer hunting, Kiera got a chance to try waterfowl hunting on several occasions. Her first goose harvest was a giant!

Kiera’s interest in hunting began through the local 4H shooting programs. Her dad had hunted in his youth but lacked the know-how to make sure his daughter got a good start afield. His wife, Teresa, read about the Shooting Sports Outreach Program on social media and contacted Christensen. A few days later Kiera and her dad were part of a hunt on the legendary Markel’s Flying Elk Ranch in southeast Kansas.

Kiera was one of several young hunters invited to a pheasant hunt at Eckman’s Hunting Preserve, near Baldwin City. Most Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors hunts are often on commercial preserves, or privately-managed hunting areas.

Most of the program’s hunts are either on large private ranches or public areas reserved for such hunts. Guides experienced at working with beginners, and the game being hunted, give the beginners hands-on lessons on all aspects of   hunting.

At a blind at the edge of a food plot, Kiera’s guide explained the strategy for the hunt and the positioning of the blind. He repeatedly covered firearms and hunting safety before the rifle was loaded. She wasn’t allowed to pull the trigger until one of several deer gave the perfect opportunity. Lessons continued after the deer was down.

As well as deer hunting, Kiera got a chance to try waterfowl hunting on several occasions. Her first goose harvest was a giant!

Kiera and her dad got hands on tutoring on best ways to get an animal from the field, cleaned and home. Kiera has enjoyed cooking some great venison meals for her family.

In January she and her father were back at Markel’s Flying Elk Ranch. She again shot a nice doe but took more responsibility for field-dressing the animal. She did the same with pheasant, ducks and geese she shot on six other program hunts. Jim McNellis said the lessons they learned are enough they can go on their own. Hunting together is definitely in their future.

“I’ve just been so amazed by it all. I love hunting and I love really learning how to do it. It’s just so much fun to have something like this to do with my dad,” said Kiera. “Someday I want to have kids and I know I’ll want to take them hunting with me. I know we can do that. We’ve already learned so much.”