By Jim Muir

‘Bigger and better’ – that could certainly be the theme of an annual Sesser event that continues to grow in both participants, money raised and enthusiasm.

The 6^th Annual Willard and Brandon Dame Hunt was held recently at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park with a record 114 hunters and more than $9,000 raised during the one-day event.

Orange and camouflage were the predominant colors at the recent 6th Annual Willard and Brandom Dame Hunt where a record 114 hunters turned out and more than $9,000 was raised. The event is hosted by Double R Bar, in Sesser.                                                                                                                                                                  ( Photo by Gina West )

Randy Gutzler, co-owner of the Double R Bar in Sesser, kicked off the now-annual event in 2008 with a specific two-fold purpose.

“Willard loved to hunt and Brandon started hunting with him when he was really young,” said Gutzler. “We think this is a good way to keep their memory alive and also help a deserving student continue their education.”

Gutzler said all the money raised each year is donated to the Sesser-Valier High School Outdoorsman Club – a group that has received statewide recognition for its annual handicap deer hunt and other community-oriented programs.

Along with sharing a love for hunting Willard Dame and his son Brandon also loved the outdoors and the camaraderie with fellow hunters that go along with the sport.

But tragedy struck the Dame family on December 28, 1994 when 16-year-old Brandon was critically injured in a two-car crash south of Sesser. He died the following day in a Cape Girardeau hospital. Willard died on January 26, 2007 at the relatively young age of 59. The annual hunt began the following year and has been a January fixture at the Double R ever since.

Chrissie (Dame) Vickers, Willard’s daughter and Brandon’s sister, gave high marks for the effort by Gutzler and the host of people that help to make the event a success. Despite his youth Vickers said her brother was an avid hunter and was also proud of his association with the popular Outdoorsman Club at S-V High School.

“I think it’s tremendous what they have been able to accomplish with this event,” said Vickers. “As the years go by this is a way to keep my dad and my brother’s memory alive and at the same time help a young person with their education.”

She recalled that the November deer season of 1994 – only a few weeks before her brother was fatally injured – found Brandon torn about a tough decision.

“He loved the Outdoorsman Club and the handicapped deer hunt,” said Vickers. “He wanted to go to that but he really wanted to hunt with my dad. In the end he went with my dad to hunt and it was the last time they hunted together.”

The annual event starts with an early morning breakfast at Double R Bar in Sesser before hunters head to Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park for the hunt.                                                                                                     (Photo by Gina West)

Gutzler said there are certain criteria that must be met each year to qualify for the scholarship.

“The scholarship must go to a member of the Outdoorsman Club and also to a student that has a financial need,” said Gutzler. “And the scholarship has to go through Rend Lake College.”

And from a somewhat humble beginning six years ago the event has grown in both numbers and popularity, according to Gutzler. The most recent hunt raised more than $9,000 bringing the total money raised during the previous five years to nearly $35,000.

The event is an all-day affair for the hunters involved who each pay $25 to participate. After a before-daylight, early morning breakfast at Double R the hunt is held and then lunch is served again at the bar. Gutzler said vendors from throughout Southern Illinois donate items to be raffled off during the daylong event.

Gutzler said he believes the event will continue to grow each year.

“We’re happy to do it each year,” said Gutzler. “To raise $9,000 in one day and $35,000 in six years in a little bar is a pretty good sum of money and of course it all goes for a great cause.”