Anderson Independent - L. Woodrow Ross
Few things can touch the heart more than hearing a young person fervently wish for something improbable. This is especially true when that young person has a life-threatening or terminal illness.

The Outdoor Dream Foundation is a non-profit organization that makes some of those dreams come true. Volunteers work, contribute and serve as mentors to young people desiring to have a special outdoor experience. Sponsors such as Grady’s Great Outdoors, Cabela’s, Rex Norton and others help support them.

The Anderson-based organization, founded by coach Harold Jones and son Brad in 2004, made it possible for many children to realize their special outdoor dreams. This includes hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports in the Carolinas, Georgia and the Midwest. The organization has attracted attention and support of people such as Larry Csonka, Hank Parker and others.

A special opportunity is available for the 2008-09 waterfowl season. The Outdoor Dream Foundation, in conjunction with Riverhouse Plantation is offering, “Blinds for Dreams.” Four man blinds are available for purchase, affording the opportunity to have breakfast and hunt with an Outdoor Dream participant.

Riverhouse Plantation maintains a planted impoundment and is a 3-year member of the SCWF Mallard Restoration Program. The proceeds of the blind sales will fund future outdoor adventures for children.

For more information about Outdoor Dream Foundation or duck blinds, contact Brad Jones at (864) 617-3641. Help to make a child’s dream come true.

Anderson residents Robert Burke, Dale Griffen and Rodney Griffen killed one of the largest alligators reported in South Carolina. This is the first open season for alligators in recent history for South Carolina.

They arrived at the Santee Diversion Canal and went by boat to the upper lake. At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 19, they shot a huge ’gator with a crossbow. It took them three and a half hours to get it to the boat and because of the size, they had to tie it alongside the boat and tow it. It was nearing sun-up when they arrived at the boat ramp.

They backed the boat trailer into the water, cut the ’gator loose and loaded it onto the boat trailer. It took them another four hours to clean the ’gator and it was about 30 hours without sleep before they finally got to a room for some rest.

The ’gator was a massive 13’ 2” and was estimated to exceed 800 pounds. That is one big lizard!

It looks like the dark of the moon will coincide with the whitetail deer rut this year. That should make for some exciting hunting. Let me know about your success.

Despite word that the mast is poor in the mountains, it looks like game zone 2 has adequate to excellent mast this year. Persimmons and acorn crops are good in many locations and recent rains have helped. The next three weeks should be some of the best deer hunting of the season, especially if temperatures drop.

I am looking forward to hearing naturalist and biologist Patrick McMillan, host of SCETV’s Expeditions with McMillan, at the Mountain Bridge Trout Unlimited meeting on Monday, Oct. 20, at 7:30. The meeting is at the Sears shelter in Greenville.

Mr. McMillan’s research has been featured in National Wildlife and South Carolina Wildlife as well as numerous state and local newspaper articles. He is in great demand as a speaker and is a frequent guest on “Your Day” on SCETV radio. He is always informative and entertaining.