Kicking Bear One-on-One is a nationwide mentoring program developed by bow hunter Ray Howell.  The program encourages our sportsmen and women to get involved with today's youth and become mentors and possibly establish life-long relationships.   The campout and shoots are a great way for sportsmen and women to introduce our youth to the outdoors and the sport of archery.   

The program's target is towards helping children from outside our immediate families, such as children from broken homes.  Many of these children, who were mentored in the past, would have never had the chance to experience the outdoors, camping, archery, and most of all hunting had it not been for sportsmen and women like us.  By encouraging our sportsmen and women to reach outside their homes and become a mentor, we can really enlighten a young person and make a difference in his/her life, as well as make a difference in the future of our sport.

The event will last two days, comprised of instruction and shooting a 3-D course, cookouts, camping, fireside stories, fishing, prizes, and if things turn out like last year, a massive marshmallow fight!  

There will also be some novelty shoots for the kids -- shooting at apples on strings, balloons, and much more.  All adults are encouraged to bring children from outside their home along with their own children.  Prizes, such as bows, arrows, targets, etc., will be awarded to those adults bringing children from outside their home.  There will also be other prizes for all participants   

The event will be free to all who participate but will be limited to the first 75 youth who register by March 7, 2003.  The Franklin Family Ranch has generously donated their facilities as well as providing staff for the event.  They have also opened hunting to all sponsors who participate in the event at reduced prices!  Any sponsors who may want to extend their stay to hunt needs to schedule with Jason by March 7, because there will be a limit on the number of people who can hunt at one time.  However, Jason will coordinate with any sponsors to reschedule and still offer the same reduced rates.  

Snacks, breakfast and a "giant" pig roast lunch (by Brian "The Pigman" Quaka) will also be provided at no cost to the participants.  So, join us this year at   Kicking Bear One-on-One, Blanco, Texas to help make a difference, and quite possibly have the time of your life while doing so!  Blanco, TX is located approximately 50 miles north of San Antonio.   If anyone needs to ship items out to the ranch prior to the event and they plan to use UPS to do so, they need to send it to our ranch address of 171 Monarch Ranch Road Blanco, Texas 78606.

As well as contributing to a worthwhile cause, sponsors of Kicking Bear One-on-One can look to receive a considerable amount of media exposure.  Various outdoor magazines and television shows have already signed up to publicize the event.  A special thank you to all sponsors from last year:  PSE Archery, Robinson Outdoors, Mossy Oak, Winn Archery, WildTech, Field Logic, Double Bull Archery, Easton Archery, Wildlife Innovations, Sims Vibration, New Archery Products, Primos Hunting Calls, Swarovski Optik, American Archer TV Show, SKB Cases, Jojan Sportsequip Co., North American Shed Hunter Club, 97.1 FM (Detroit), Besherse Brothers, Microtech, Mathews Inc., Burnstad's Stores, and Wal-Mart Distribution Center.

For additional information on Kicking Bear One-on-One or hunt prices, please feel free to contact:

Ray Howell  
Phone: (507) 894-4624 
Email:  kickingbearfish@yahoo.com
or: Jason Borchardt
Franklin Family Ranch
Phone: (210) 445-3530
email: info@huntingffrtexas.com