By: Karen Warnick, The Independent
12/11/2009


Troy Wilson's dream was to hunt elk with his dad Steve Wilson. Back in Ohio where they live, there are no elk. Troy's dream came true, but it came at a high price; 5 days later he died of the bone cancer that had ravaged his body. He never made it home.

Troy was able to realize his dream through the Hunt of a Lifetime (HOAL) organization, a non-profit group dedicated to granting the hunting and fishing wishes of kids under 21 who have life-threatening illnesses. All expenses were paid for including airfare, hotels, rental cars, equipment and the services of a taxidermist and meat packer if the hunt was successful.

Troy and his dad arrived in Springerville on Nov. 25 and began the hunt on Friday, Nov. 27. Volunteers arranged the hunt and scouted the area near X Diamond Ranch in Eagar. John Bennett from Springerville and Everett Brewer from Taylor were the guides. Both are long time hunters and guides. This was Bennett's first time helping HOAL, and Brewer's sixth. Brewer became involved because his son Logan had cancer and all he wanted to do was hunt. Logan is now 20 and survived his bout with cancer.

"Not every kid wants to go to Disney", said Brewer. "Once you've experienced it you want to give back".

On Saturday, Troy shot a 6x6 bull on the left side high on his shoulder with a 30.06 rifle. It's estimated the bull would score between 320 and 350. Everyone said the bull should have been down, but he managed to stay on his feet and elude capture. They're still looking for that bull. That night the Rode Inn in Springerville where everyone was staying, was given a banquet for Troy. They went back out on Sunday looking for more bulls, but by Monday Troy was feeling too sick to go out again.

On Tuesday, at the time of this interview, Troy and his dad were getting ready to head back to Phoenix to catch a flight home, 4 days early. He needed to get back to the hospital right away. It was hard to interview him knowing he was in pain and not doing well, but Troy wanted to keep going. He never made it out of a Phoenix hospital.

Troy died on Sunday, Dec. 6, a day after he was taken off of life-support. His mom Robin, had flown in from Ohio a few days before to be with him while they waited for an emergency medical flight home. While they were waiting to leave, word came from the police in their small town that the Wilson's home had been burglarized and everything stolen, including all the Christmas presents, guns and ATVs.

Bennett and Brewer have gone back out most everyday looking for that bull. They want to be able to send the mount home to Troy's parents. Stephanie Rainey of Rainey Productions had gone on the hunt to film it for Channel 58's program, Stepping Out. She said that when asked if he could make it a bit further, he would reply, "You can't break me." He also wanted to thank everyone who had helped him realize his dream and especially his parents for all they had done for him.

Hunter's are being asked to keep an eye out for the bull that Troy shot. If anyone finds it or the skeleton, they are asked to call the Game and Fish department in Pinetop at (928) 367-4281 and ask for Mike Godwin. He will make sure the antlers are sent to Troy's parents.

For a more detailed version of this story, check in the Dec. 22 issue of the White Mountain Independent for the Outdoors magazine.

To Troy and his family.Good hunt Troy.I am sad you had such a short life.I think your parents are proud of how strong you were.RIP
To the rotten SOB`s who ripped this family off in their time of sorrow.you`ll get yours!!!!!

There is a special place in hell for people who break into homes during times like this.