Ward Burton (rear) with his hunting buddies -- Jordy Kudrna, Jeb Burton and A.J. Benson -- and an unlucky buck. Credit: Courtesy photo

Burton, USSA team to make dreams a reality

Outdoor World scheduled to broadcast youth hunting trip

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A.J. Benson and Jordy Kudrna got quite an early Christmas present this week.

The two teen-age boys spent three days hunting with Ward Burton as part of a joint effort between the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation and the United Special Sportsman Alliance.

The USSA is a Chistian non-profit agency that is sort of a Make-A-Wish for outdoorsmen. A.J., 16, and Jordy, 13, are battling cancer, and the USSA hoped to provide the two boys an outdoors adventure of their dreams.

By Burton's account, the goal was met.

"Man, it was a blast," Burton said. "We had a lot of fun, but more importantly, we made some new friends with Jordy and A.J."

Burton's wildlife foundation was founded to promote awareness of conversation and stewardship of the country's natural resources. The association with USSA was a natural fit.

Fashion tips from Ward Burton: one leg at a time. Credit: Courtesy photo

"The two organizations working together makes perfect sense," Burton said. "We are a good fit for each other with common goals of giving back to the youth of today and to introduce them to wildlife, conservation and other outdoor activities."

The boys got to hunt with Burton on the foundation's land in Virginia, spending two nights in a cabin in the woods. Burton's 12-year-old son Jeb came along, too.

The first night was bitterly cold, with temperatures dipping well below freezing.

"That first morning, the kids didn't last but an hour-and-a-half," Burton said.

No one got too cold, though, for Bass Pro Shops donated some warm clothing, and Burton had the boys in warm sleeping bags.

The Outdoor Channel was there to film much of the activity, which will be shown on their Outdoor World program.

Unfortunately, the boys didn't have much luck hunting, Burton said. A.J. had a couple chances at some deer, but the bucks were too small for his taste.

A.J. also had a shot at a turkey but missed.

"The end of the day, the hunting part was a lot of fun and we worked really hard to get them around some wildlife," Burton said. "We just had a good time with them."

Everyone ate well during the trip. Burton's grandparents, his mother and his wife all prepared home-cooked meals for the boys.

"It was some good eating," Burton said. "I didn't have to do a whole lot of cooking."

Burton was able to bag a buck, a doe and a turkey and made sure the boys didn't go home empty-handed. A.J. returned home to Taylor, Mich., and Jordy went back to Holmen, Wis., with a cooler full of deer meat.

But more importantly, A.J. and Jordy went home with plenty of memories.

"They're pretty much brothers now," Burton said.