The Most Incredible Turkey Hunt, Part 1
3 Comments Published by David Blanton on Friday, April 20, 2007 at 2:25 PM.
Mitch Ensor, of Lebanon Junction, Ky., is like no one I’ve ever met, much less hunted turkeys with. My life has been forever changed.
You see, a year and a half ago, Mitch was like almost any other guy who lived to hunt and fish. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to bowhunt more than anything. Sitting in a tree stand 20 feet off the ground waiting for a monster buck to walk by was his “heaven on earth.”
Then one day he went to draw back his bow and couldn’t. He tried again. Same results.
Mitch thought he was coming down with something and his body must be tired. Over the course of several weeks, simple things seemed harder to do. His balance was “iffy” at best. He even fell a few times and couldn’t explain why.
A few months later, in March of ’06, Mitch was told he had ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
What did Mitch do? He thanked God for being with him and blessing him with a beautiful wife, Kay, and two children, Shelby,7, and Tanner, almost 4.
Learning that he had roughly two years to live, Mitch had a request. He wanted to go kill an Osceola gobbler to round out his Grand Slam and he asked that I be with him when he does.
Now, there aren’t many things that will get me to leave my family during spring baseball and soccer season (with Harman and Alex playing) but this was a no brainer, especially after I had the chance to meet Mitch a month before our hunt and see firsthand his love for life, family, friends, hunting and God.
Well, Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo put me in touch with their Florida hunting connection, Hoppy Kempfer of Osceola Outfitters, outside of St. Cloud and it took no time to set up our hunt.
In the months leading up to our hunt, this terrible disease continued to ravage Mitch’s body, but not his spirit and sense of humor.
Mitch progressively lost more and more of his physical abilities and there was a point when we weren’t sure he would make the hunt at all!
Even during his toughest times leading up to our hunt, Mitch would tell me how much God had blessed him.
If that won’t eliminate the size of your problems, I don’t know what will.
Finally, March 24 arrived and John Tate, Steve Finch and I jumped in my truck and drove down to St. Cloud to begin the hunt.
Little did we know that this was going to be way more than a hunt!
David,
This is the type of hunt that even I in my most jaded form would watch on television. After all these years I've come to the point where I judge television by production quality versus content. I suppose I've not only seen but taped too many "pro" hunters, pro athletes, country music singers, politicians and other "stars" to enjoy watching them on my television. This story however, has content and I can only imagine how awesome it will be when you, Tate and the boys get done with it.
While I realize that I don't like the same things that most people do (when it comes to outdoor television) I can't help but think that a show about Mitch Ensor would not only be a joy to watch but make each of us feel blessed in ways we've not thought about.
David, I salute you and Realtree for bringing this story, a real story about a real hunter with real problems into our living rooms. I've always said that there are so many great stories out there to be told and I feel like you just found one......I hope it won't be the last.
Your friend,
John Brown Jr.
David
I just wanted to thank you for providing Mitch Ensor with such a fantastic hunt. Mitch and I hunted together last week and he could not stop talking about the hunt, but most of all what an incredible human being you are. I was so pleased to hear Mitch speak so kindly about you and most of all your love for Christ. Mitch is an incredible person and I am every so happy and proud that he was able to finish his slam. That was a dream come true for him. As a videographer I was also impressed with the awesome footage from the hunt. Great job to you and all the Realtree staff. May God bless you always.
Patrick L. Willis
www.buckcountryoutfitters.com
Hey David,Great story and show.Just wanted to thank you for the privilage to share Hoppys camp with you,Mitch,Kay,Steve and John.It was the most inspirational hunt I have been on.It was a truly special thing you{realtree}did for Mitch.Keep up the great work!
Sincerely,
Capt.Mel Walker