Huntin’ down a dream

Brianna Perkins isn’t afraid of taking on big challenges.
After facing down cancer, Perkins is setting her sights on taking down some big game with the help of a few new friends up north.
Perkins was surprised with a trip to Wisconsin during Saturday’s fourth annual Beka’s Toppers Sporting and Clay Archery Shoot at Elk Creek Hunt Club, with help from G.O. Heath, a featured guest on the Sportsman Channel’s North American Whitetail.
Perkins was diagnosed with leukemia in August 2006 and received nine months of chemotherapy. She has now been in remission for five years.
Perkins, who enjoys hunting, will travel to Arrow Ridge Ranch in Wautoma, Wisconsin in September for three or four days of hunting bull elk.
The ranch is a hunting outfitter that offers hunts such as trophy elk, whitetail and fallow deer.
Heath, who was on site for the surprise, said he was contacted by the owners of Arrow Ridge Ranch, who wanted to do something to give back.
Heath said he thought of his friends Craig and Holly Bowling and contacted them to see if they knew of anyone who would be a good fit for the trip.
Forrest Pike of Arrow Ridge Ranch said he and the ranches co-owners looked hard for someone who was deserving of the trip.
“It’s hard to find the right person,” Pike said. “But we were so inspired by Brianna’s story and we felt like it was a good fit. We’ve been very blessed and we wanted to give back in some way.”
Pike and his wife Lisa Pike co-own the ranch with Matt Brown. The three were also in attendance at Saturday’s event.
“This state has always been a huge supporter of mine,” Heath said. “I knew when (Pike) contacted me that I could call up (Craig and Holly Bowling). The deal came together in less than two hours. It’s all about friendships and we’ve got some good ones here.”
Brown also presented Perkins with a new gun as a crowd of friends and family gathered to watch Perkins’ reaction.
“I was so happy I couldn’t even think,” Perkins said afterward.
Perkins said she enjoys hunting deer and has done a lot of squirrel hunting.
She is the daughter of Amanda Perkins.
Holly Bowling said there were 72 participants in this year’s shoot and numerous people who came out for lunch and silent auction items.

Owen County’s Brianna Perkins was shocked Saturday when she received an invitation to hunt at Arrow Ridge Ranch in Wisconsin during the annual Beka’s Toppers Sporting and Clay Archery Shoot at Elk Creek Hunt Club.

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Perkins, center, was also presented with a rifle by Arrow Ridge Ranch owners Lisa and Forrest Pike and Matt Brown.

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