Brandon Lanie’s Story

Here’s a story, sent to me by a friend. It is a story of an incredible young man that was taken from his friends and family unexpectedly. I suggest taking the time to read it through carefully as I’m sure you’ll find that Brandon Lanie was the person we all started out trying to be as a young man… and the person we want to be now if we’ve allowed ourselves to drift from our chosen path a little.

Brandon Lanie Was My Friend

Brandon Lanie died tragically Saturday, November 18th, shot by a hunter who mistook him for a deer. This story is not about the man who took his life, rather my story of my relationship with Brandon and his overwhelming personality. I’ve hunted and fished with Brandon more than anyone in the past 5 years.

My son, too young, and friends strapped down…. Brandon was
always available. We fished for Crappies, Walleye, Northerns, Perch, Trout & Muskies. We hunted ducks, ducks, ducks and more ducks. We also hunted geese and turkeys. Brandon was always eager to go try a new adventure, and he did it with a smile on his face. Brandon’s passion was hunting and fishing, but his life was people. Brandon loved people. His sixth sense was to get you to smile. He would walk up to me and say “Greg Welch are you crabby?” instantly I would crack a smile.
He got this gift from his parents who always loved him and always supported him.

I loved that Boy! Here are a few of my stories to share with you.

2 years ago Brandon called and asked if I was going opening early season goose hunting. I replied, I don’t have a place to hunt, but let me make some calls and I’ll see what I can do. A few hours later I called him back and said be here at 6:00. I knew his dad was out of town and assumed he would get a ride. He showed up at my door with gun and shell bag in hand. I looked for the 4-wheeler, and asked how did you get here. He replied I walked because he couldn’t get the 4-wheeler started. All I could think of is this kid who loves hunting, walked 2 miles early in the morning toting a gun on busy co. rd. 134.

That day Brandon, my son Scott and I went hunting. When Scott ran home for hot chocolate and beef jerky, Brandon and I both got a goose. Scott was miffed when he returned. When we returned to the house, we cleaned the game, and then I said I’ll see you tomorrow same time, turned and walked towards the house. The look on his face was priceless as he asked for a ride home.

Brandon Lanie was my friend.

This last winter Brandon called from his cell phone on Buffalo Lake. He called to tell me the crappies were biting. I told him I was too busy to go fishing. He replied “but they’re really biting”. I said that I was just too busy and that I would have to pass. With a very long pause………Brandon replied “but I’m out of minnows”. I delivered those precious minnows and he helped me catch some crappies.

Brandon asked this twice of me, and both times I obliged.

I loved Brandon Lanie!

Brandon’s father Troy only asked one thing of me during this tragedy. That was, “set up a trust for Brandon and together we need to do something big for Brandon, something that he would be proud of, something he would love”. So far we have determined that his parents want to do something to reach other people that may prevent a tragedy like his from happening again. We have talked of a park bench in his memory, public service announcements during the 2007 hunting season, a web site and many other reminders that may reach out to others. Brandon’s parents are excited to be able to help with this project…. They’ve said “It is what Brandon would want us to do”.

It is not up to me to decide what to do for him, that is up to his family. This is my story of how he touched my life and many others. Please help us keep Brandon supplied with minnows. Please feel free to make changes to this letter to tell your story or simply forward my story on. Mail or e-mail it to your friends, family, or outdoor pals and let Brandon’s prayer always be with you. Please consider a donation to the Brandon Lanie Trust c/o Klein bank, PO Box 40. Buffalo MN 55313.

Brandon’s Prayer

As you go afield, be safe, be ethical
And be the most responsible hunter you can possibly be.
If these are your goals,
You will always succeed.

This prayer was adopted from the MN DNR conservation officers by Brandon’s family.

If you have questions you can call me on a dedicated phone line to Brandon. 612-275-1175 or e-mail me at [email protected].

a very sad, tragic story. hearing things like this hurt my heart. be carefull out there.

I have felt so bad for him and his family since the first day I saw this on the news.

I’m sending more minnows.

New Story / Charges filed

Thought I might post the above, I didn’t know of the story until now.

This story is a reminder to all of us of the responsibility we assume each and every time we take to the field. Lives can be changed in an instant and none of us are free from lapses in judgement.

Brandon’s Prayer

As you go afield, be safe, be ethical

And be the most responsible hunter you can possibly be.

If these are your goals,

You will always succeed.

Thanks for the post James.

Things like this happen everyday, and don’t need to. Pay attention when you are afield, or on the water and be safe. There is no Deer, Walleye, duck or bass that is worth anothers life.

And say a prayer for his family in the process.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Thanks for posting James!! I will be attending a planning meeting for the trust fund this Wednesday at the Buffalo American Legion. It starts at 7PM. If anyone is interested making suggestion on how to best utilize this trust fund, please feel free to send me a PM. I’ll share your suggestions with Brandon’s family. I will also be printing this thread to show how the community of sportsman are behind them through such a trying time.

Koots,
Thanks! I still tear up about Brandon, when I here how many people care. I owe you one!

Thats funny!…. I was born in the 50’s, grew up in the 60’s, made my mistakes in the 70-80-&90’s. Now I’m too old to remember how to make up for lost time….think I’ll just go fishing.

Thanks for posting James. It is too easy to shrug off tragic events when they happen to people you don’t know. When a person reads this it seems more “real” somehow. He sounds like a very good kid. It is truely a shame.

James, is there something we could do as a group to help along this trust? Not sure what just thinking out loud.

Welcome to IDA Top Hand.

Thanks for the story James.My thoughts and prayers goes to Brandon and his family.It really opens my eyes to what so much of us take for granit, when it can be taken from us.May God bless him and his family and friends.

That’s a truly sad story, and hopefully a good reminder to all of us, about safety, and about life…

This is a very tragic event and my heart goes out to all the families affected.

Our family has adopted a new policy the past few years in light of these events. Every time we walk to and from our stands before and after legal shooting hours we always have a flash light on or better yet those lights that go underneath the brim of our hat. If we can see without the flash light on we still use the Red or Green light on these hats to indicate a presence. Please adopt this policy whether private or public land. Mike

you also need to look at maybe doing a brick at the angle of hope in maple grove. what about maybe putting some memorial up at his most favorite lake or hunting hole.

shane

Thoughts and prayers from my family to Brandons.

As for the funds. What about a Boat landing or section of public hunting land in his name?

This is truely a tragedy. My heart and prayers go out to this family. Life is so precious and it goes to show that none of us knows if the next breath we take may be our last. We need to be prepared to face our maker at any time.

I like the WMA idea. I think Brandon would really have loved something like that. Big dollars to do that. But it can be done.

dd

This hit close to home since my 2 boys are starting to hunt, very sad, should have never happened