The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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'It was definitely the Hunt of a Lifetime'
Milan boy bags a moose in snowy British Columbia
By Jerry Hinnen, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 3, 2008
Thanks to the charitable efforts of two special organizations, one young Milan hunter recently received the experience —and the souvenir — of a lifetime.
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Twelve-year-old Brandon Woodman of Milan suffers from a rare blood disorder named histiocytosis, but that didn't keep him from inheriting a love of hunting from his uncles, who would he join on hunting trips in the area.
So when Brandon's parents, Larry and Laura Woodman, discovered Hunt of a Lifetime, a nonprofit organization that arranges and sponsors adventurous hunting trips for children with serious illnesses, it seemed like a natural fit.
Officials with the organization received the Woodmans' application and agreed, and last October Larry and Brandon wound up on a single-engine bush plane soaring over the Canadian wilderness in remote British Columbia, on their way to hunt bull moose.
"It was the first time I'd ever been on a plane," Brandon said of his trip. "We saw elk and all kinds of other animals. Being up there with my dad in Canada, it can't get better than that."
Before the end of their first day on the trail and with the help of his experienced guides, Brandon was able to take down a large bull moose with a .30-06, a thrill he said he would always remember.
"It was awesome," he said. "I didn't have time to think. It happened so fast."
"This is the sort of thing that would never, ever happen without (Hunt of a Lifetime)," Larry said. "We definitely would not have been able to do it otherwise. Everyone treated us like family the whole time. It was incredible."
Father and son enjoyed a little more time in Canada before flying home, but the story of Brandon's hunt was far from over. Several members of the Michigan Taxidermists' Association familiar with Hunt of a Lifetime got word of Brandon's trophy and volunteered to mount the moose free of charge.
Working together at the Ultimate Sport and R.V. Show in Grand Rapids the week of March 13, the volunteers completed the mount and presented it to Brandon as part of the grand opening of the show March 15.
"It was really cool to see how they do it," Brandon said of his trip to Grand Rapids and meeting with the taxidermists. "It was great meeting all the volunteers. Everyone was nice."
From there, the moose was trucked to Manchester, where it received a few finishing touches from another local taxidermist before coming home to the Woodman residence in Milan —up the stairs and into Brandon's bedroom.
"It's huge. My parents didn't think it would fit," Brandon said with a laugh. "We had to move some stuff around, but eventually we made it fit."
From its beginning to its end, the entire experience has left the Woodmans with nothing but gratitude toward those who made their son's hunting wish come true.
"It's been amazing," Laura said. "He's had a beautiful time. We're very grateful toward everyone who made this happen for Brandon."
For Brandon, the experience has left him with memories — and an oversized reminder — he says he will carry forever.
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