Area youth are honing their sights this weekend in hopes of bagging a few deer. Special Youth Challenge, an organization that holds events for youth with disabilities, usually ages 12 to 17, will hold its semiannual hunt at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch near High Forest, just north of Mower County. Eight youth are signed up for this fall’s shotgun hunt.

George Vazquez, of Austin, who volunteers for the event, is excited. His daughter has participated in the youth hunts, which feature a turkey hunt in the spring and deer hunt in the fall.

“It went very well for her,” Vazquez said, and added his daughter was featured on television afterward.

The hunt program, in its second year, is holding its fourth-ever hunt.

Participants will arrive at Ironwood early on Friday and hunt on Saturday and Sunday.

Vazquez said the experience is “life-changing.”

While this year’s hunt is already filled, Special Youth Challenge is open to more participants. Those who are interested in future programs, hunts or volunteering may contact Vazquez at 507-440-7616.