TUCSON, Ariz. — Safari Club International is honoring a young Missouri hunter with a trip to Africa to show appreciation for his actions that led to the rescue of two local boys that had been kidnapped. Mitchell Hults, 15, was the key witness who provided vital information that led to the rescue of Ben Ownsby and Shawn Hornbeck from their kidnapper in January. Mitchell’s sharp observational skills, an important trait for a hunter to have, led police to where the young men were being held and make him a hero.
“Everyone’s been wonderful to Mitchell,” said his mother, Sherri Hults. “We appreciate everything the community has done, and Mitchell is especially excited about this hunt. It’s just the opportunity of a lifetime. I really don’t know what to say.”
After hearing of Mitchell’s assistance, Oksana Sparks of Matlou Ranch in Botswana immediately contacted SCI to coordinate how the two organizations could team up to host Mitchell on the hunt of a lifetime. Safari Club International wasted no time in contacting Mitchell and his mother to give them the good news as well as heartfelt thanks for bringing the two boys back to their families.
“I saw him on that interview and felt so grateful to him,” said Sparks. “I had to know if he was a hunter. I just wanted to tell him thank you, and this was the best way I knew how.”
The local chapter, SCI Gateway, will be providing major assistance in this effort, as well as many of SCI’s sponsors. Through fundraising and other contributions, local members of the organization will provide many of the expenses that a trip of this magnitude can accumulate.
“We are so proud of Mitchell,” said SCI Gateway President Martin Wilson. “He exemplifies what every hunter should be: courageous, observant, and above all, a good citizen.”
Wilson, along with Drake Dawson, the chapter’s fundraising chair, will present the trip to Mitchell and his family at the annual banquet on March 24.
Scheduled to set off for Botswana in June, Mitchell will not only have the opportunity to hunt game that he would never get the chance to see in his usual hunting grounds of Missouri, but will be able to visit with local villagers, to participate in a peer-to-peer outreach program between African children with visiting American children.
Mitchell’s school, Union High School in Beaufort, Missouri, will also be involved with the safari. Through the SafariCare™ Blue Bag program, students will be able to collect and send school supplies and other items to the local villagers in Botswana, as well as letters and photos as part of a cultural exchange.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend the chapter fundraiser, not only help in SCI’s efforts to thank this young hero properly, but also to provide assistance at the local level for many of the chapter’s community projects. The event is Sat., March 24, at the St. Louis Marriot at the Airport. Doors open at 5 p.m. and continue throughout the evening.
Contacts:
Martin Wilson
SCI Gateway Chapter President
314-504-9775
martin@ahunterswish.com
Oksana Sparks
Director, Matlou Ranch
520-670-1275
PHOTOS OF MATLOU RANCH AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Steve Comus or Jay Ann Cox
Safari Club International Public Relations
520-620-1220, ext. 333 and 485
jcox@safariclub.org
