GREEN RIVER, WY – Wyoming youth Dustin Beckstead checked off his bucket list the harvesting of a six point bull on Wednesday morning courtesy of some help from a few friends, family, and the Muley Fanatic Foundation.

Diagnosed with a debilitating case of cerebral palsy, Dustin was sponsored by the Muley Fanatic Foundation to secure through the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission a 2015 Youth with Life Threatening Illness Commissioner’s license. In addition to the specialty license, Dustin received a disabled hunting permit which allowed for Dustin to begin hunting 5 days prior to the hunt area opening.

Although the additional time has proven beneficial in allowing for Dustin to harvest a bull elk, not all was easy going. Once confirmation was made back in early August that Dustin would be receiving this specialty license, the effort by many has been regular.

Such efforts included the ingenuity and design of modifying a firearm to allow for remote trigger control; practice and familiarity with the firearm; identification of an area that would allow for Dustin’s access; and the always dubious task of locating a harvestable elk. Assisting Dustin tackle these pre-hunt challenges were Byron Eklund, Gary Hess, Andy Boyack, Perry Norton, his father Phil Beckstead and other family members.

According to MFF Co-Founder Joshua Coursey the benefit of these specialty licenses goes beyond the surface of hunting close to home in a limited quota area.

“Being able to hunt an area such as Elk Hunt Area 30 (commonly referred to as Little Mountain) has tremendous upside and opportunity for hunters like Dustin who face significant and limiting physical challenges. Access is more than a concern; quite often it is the deciding factor of being able or not being able to hunt.” – MFF Co-Founder Joshua Coursey

Dustin marks the 9th youth hunter the Muley Fanatic Foundation has sponsored for this specialty license and they continue to seek out others who could benefit from such opportunities.

The Muley Fanatic Foundation was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Green River. Membership information and other opportunities to support the Muley Fanatic Foundation can be found at www.muleyfanatic.org or by calling 307-875-3133.