From Trial to Triumph: How 15-Year-Old Stroke Survivor Jack Harvested His First Black Bear
There is a distinct magic in watching a young hunter face the backcountry for the first time. For those of us who spend every season in the mountains, it is easy to take the early wake-up calls and the sound of baying hounds for granted. But through the eyes of a first-time hunter—and the proud father walking beside him—a hunt becomes something far greater: a testament to resilience, community, and grit.
Recently, Youth Hunters Voice had the privilege of hosting Jack Fieldsted and his dad on a Utah black bear hunt. Before he was even born, Jack survived a stroke. He has spent his life navigating physical disabilities, enduring thousands of hours of therapy, countless doctor appointments, and major leg surgeries. Yet, if you ask anyone who knows Jack, they’ll tell you his courage outpaces any obstacle in his path.
When offered the chance to embark on a guided bear hunt, Jack didn't hesitate. Here is the story of Jack's hunt, told through the words of his father.
A successful bear hunt with hounds demands dedication, patience, and early mornings. Jack embraced every single detail of the process—from learning how the hound team operates to jumping out of bed at 4:30 a.m. ready to hit the trail. By the end of the second day of their three-day hunt, Jack’s determination only grew. He looked at lead guide Kody Boren and offered some solid advice: "Kody, we need to wake up earlier tomorrow on the last day to catch the bear!" That grit paid off. On the final day, after tracking nearly 12 miles across rugged terrain, the hound dogs struck fresh scent, jumped the bear, and put him up a tree.
Reaching a treed bear in the mountain backcountry is no easy feat for any hunter, let alone one navigating physical barriers. The final stretch required descending a steep mountain face choked with deadfall, loose rock, and heavy timber. It took the team over an hour to carefully guide and assist Jack down the mountain to where the hounds were holding the bear. Step by step, over every log and boulder, Jack pushed forward without complaint. When he finally settled into position, Jack lined up his shot and harvested a magnificent black bear—handling a rifle that, in his dad’s words, "kicked a little," like an absolute pro.
While the harvest was a triumph, the true heart of the trip was the bond formed on the mountain. Jack’s dad shared his gratitude for the experience:
"As Jack’s father, I personally want to thank everyone involved in this hunt. I am extremely grateful to the Youth Hunters Voice organization for the opportunity they have given me and my son to create this long-lasting memory. Under no other circumstances would we be able to go on a hunt like this.
We are so thankful to Kody, Zak, and the rest of the team that made this hunt happen. They were amazing with Jack, and they will forever be Jack’s friends!"
It Takes a Community: Special Thanks
Trips like this require an incredible amount of coordination, hard work, and generosity behind the scenes. We extend a heartfelt thank you to:
Mossback Outfitters & Kody Boren: Thank you for your leadership, expert guiding, and dedicating your time to ensure Jack had a safe, unforgettable, and successful hunt.
Generous Local Landowners: We are deeply grateful to the landowners who opened their private properties to our team. Without land access, opportunities like this simply wouldn't be possible.
Our Volunteers & Supporters: To Zak and the numerous individuals who stepped up to assist on the mountain, pack gear, handle dogs, and encourage Jack along the way—thank you for making Jack feel like family.
At Youth Hunters Voice, our mission as a Northern Utah 501(c)(3) nonprofit is simple: break down barriers to the outdoors for youth facing severe trials, physical disabilities, as well as first-time youth hunters who wouldn't otherwise have the chance to experience the outdoors.
