NOV, 2011
C h a l l e n g e T h e O u t d o o r s , I n c .
A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO SERVING THE RECREATIONAL NEEDS AND DESIRES OF THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED SPORTSPERSON
Reflections of the President—Steve Lang
Everywhere I Look….Something’s Happening
About a month ago, I was sitting on my couch wondering, “Why don’t CTO have something happening today or this weekend?” I believed it was just a slow tome of the year and things would be picking up…….AND BOY DID THEY!!!!
Over the past 2 weeks, I’ve been to: deer and goose hunting, musky fishing, along with a “Shoot Till U Drop” event. That’s 11 out of 14 days that CTO had something going on! From all of these events, I heard stories of how people just enjoyed being outside, to boating the 1st musky during a CTO event, and event seen someone harvest 2 geese in 2 shots! I really don’t know how these two weeks could have gotten much better for me.
These last two weeks also reinforced the reason CTO does the things we do. We love to see people have fun and smile. It’s not always about what you catch or harvest, it’s about the willpower to get out and en- joy our great outdoors!
END OF YEAR PHEASANT HUNT
J & H GAME FARM
Sunday December 4, 2011 - 8:00 AM - ?
It’s time again for the annual CTO end of year pheasant hunt at J & H Game Farm in Navarino. This hunt has it all, including dogs and handlers, transporting machines, great food, plenty of birds, and lots of fun for everyone. Each hunter is welcome to bring family members or a friend to assist them. For those of you that do not have your own gun, there will be guns available at the clubhouse, but you must provide your own shells. Field loads of 4 to 6 shot is recommended. This is another free event sponsored by Challenge the Outdoors and we hope to see you all there.
Please contact me by November 28th if you are going to be part of the hunt. My contact info is: Steve Kettenhoven alwaysfishing@charter.net or 715-250-0077.
Moving on After Zander Pond’s Final CTO Event
By: Jeff Pagels
Our last official event at Zander Pond was held at Zander Pond on Saturday, September 17th. With the passing of Larry Zander in May of this year, the day to day management of the pond by the Zander Family became too much to ask for by CTO. The CTO Board of Directors fully understands and supports this decision. As of October 1, 2011, the pond is closed to use by anyone without the express permission of the Zander Family. Please respect this decision.
The Fishing Committee of the CTO Board of Directors is considering different options to continue to hold the two annual fishing days someplace else next year. At the present, no options have presented themselves for a place for the CTO membership to fish on a daily basis as has been the case at Zander Pond for many, many years. If anyone has any ideas where we might find a replacement pond either for the two annual fishing days or a pond that can be used on a daily basis please contact Cliff Pheifer, Member CTO Fishing Committee. Cliff can be reached at 715-412-1707 or email at: deb57ncliff55@gmail.com
About 40 members turned out despite the chilly and windy weather for the final event. Several large fish in the 18 inch category were landed. The winning fish, 18.5 inches was caught by Dennis Moericke of Shiocton. He will receive a gift certificate at the next annual banquet for his longest fish.
The CTO Board of Directors offers a deep appreciation to the Zander Family, especially E.J. for all the hard work she did this past summer to keep the pond operational. The Board especially appreciated E.J.’s taking vacation days to prepare for this final event. THANK YOU!!
Goose Hunt Recap
By: Steve Lang
The 6th Annual CTO Goose Hunt was held on Oct 7-9 near Waupun, WI. With great anticipation, 9 hunters took to the fields starting Friday morning and continued throughout the weekend. Over the course of the weekend, the crack shot of hunters were able to bring down 4 geese and 2 ducks. There is no counting the number of ducks and geese that flew over, but sometimes no one can get turned around in time for their opportune shots. We do have to give kudos to James “Lefty” Luedke, he was the “top shot” of the bunch. On Sunday, he was able harvest 2 geese in just 2 shots! Way to go Lefty!!
We also need to thank the Grand River Marsh Turkey Club in Marquette, WI for donating case of shells for the hunters. Also, Domino’s of Ripon, Dar-Boy Supper Club, Silver Spur Saloon of Kingston, Heather Lang, Vicky Lang, Lisa Gildernick, & James Luedke all for donating food to help feed the hunt- ers and the unbelievable helpers that were there. In addition to the already mentioned, others that we need to thank are Fred Lang, Tim Giese & Tyler Lang for all the great help, and time, they gave at the event.
Many are already marking their calendars for the 2nd weekend in October next year. See you
then!!
P.S. Read Lefty’s story on page 6
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Challenge The Outdoors INC.
2011 October Deer Hunt
Hello Everyone
I would like to start by saying thank you to all the hunters that participated in this year’s hunt I hope you had a great time. This year’s hunt started off with a bang, we had a total of 8 deer taken, 4 bucks and 4 does and a lot of other hunters seeing deer on Saturday and Sunday. The opening weekend weather was great for hunting with somewhat cool morning and nice afternoons. Then mother nature pulled a fast one on us and gave us temperatures in the mid to high 70’s and even through in a couple of 80’s to top off the week. The warmer weather seemed to put a stop to most of the deer movement but a couple of hunter that did try to hunt during the week did see some deer but they could not fill their tags. But like with fishing, trap shooting, hunting and like many other things in life it’s not the kill that counts it just getting out and doing something different and having fun doing it.
Now to the most important thing I have to say and as a hunter in this year’s hunt this also goes out to all of the other hunters that made it to this year’s hunt. I hope that everyone thank all the people that helped to put on this deer hunt. There is no way I can give all the names of all the helpers that helped for a long time to put on this hunt. But like every year we have had Karen and her great staff making the best food so the hungry hunters and helpers can go back to the woods with a full stomach. We have Bill Mayville, Rod Barkhaus and their crew getting everything ready and set up before and after the hunt so all we have to do as hunters is the fun part, sit back and hope for a deer. And we also know that if we get lucky and get a deer that they are always there for us to do the dirty work if we drop a deer. And we cannot forget the land owners because if it was not for their generosity and signing in their land we would not have a hunt to go to. So I hope if you did get lucky enough to meet the land owners I hope that you let them know how much that it meant to you and to CTO that they allow us the opportunity to hunt on their land. Well, I hope that everyone involved in this year’s hunt had a good time and if you are like me I am already looking forward to next year. Patrick Nieuwenhuis
PICTURES TAKEN AT THE EVENTS BY JUDY PALUCH, DIRECTOR
At most of our events you probably will see a few people taking pictures. I take pictures for Challenge The Outdoors, and you can recognize me on my red scooter or walking with my two black canes. If anyone is interested in a picture that I have taken or would like me to take a picture of them, let me know.
The best is to let me know the day of the event. My memory is short, and I can write down your description and find the picture. I am slowly learning everyone's name, but I don't remember everyone yet.
If you have a computer, I can send you any amount of pictures; but you will have to download them and print them out yourself. If you want me to send a printed copy, I won't be able to send you quite as many. Shipping is the problem; but if you are going to be at the next event, I can give more pictures with no problem. If you want some pictures from past events, check out our web site at: http://ctoforme.org.
Click on pictures and choose the event. Scroll through the line of pictures and then mark down the num- ber of the picture from the top of the page. The pictures aren't numbered, so consider the first picture num- ber one, and count down to your picture(s) and that is the number(s) that I need.
You can call me at 920-336-1934 or send me an e-mail at palj22@att.net I need you to write down the name of the event and the number of the picture(s) with a small description of each picture(s) you would like. I need your name, address, phone number, and e-mail if you call me to send them by e-mail.
If you have any other questions about pictures, give me a call.
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NEWS FLASH, DAVE SAMSA ENDS MUSKY HUNT JINX
CTO Associate Board of Directors member, Dave Samsa of Suamico boated a 40-inch musky on Green Bay on October 13th. Dave was participating in the 5th Annual CTO Musky Hunt along with six other disabled CTO members and volunteers from Muskies Incorporated. Many of the volunteers were off duty City of Green Bay Firefighters or public safety staff from nearby communities. Headquarters for the event was the Green Bay Yacht Club located near the mouth of the Fox River as it enters the Bay of Green Bay. The follow-up meal was eaten at the Golden Corral in Ashwaubenon.
It took Dave and his partner, Jay Zahn about 15 minutes to boat the fish which was quickly unhooked, photographed and returned unharmed to the water. Member Tom Gagnon and his partner Kevin Pischke had one on for about a minute before the giant let go. At the Yacht Club when telling his sad story the fish was estimated to be about 50 inches long. By the time Tom was retelling his story at the Golden Corral Restaurant, the fish had grown to over 60 inches. When you see Tom do not be too surprised if the fish grows even longer!
Everyone had a great time and plans are in the making for the 6th annual event next year as well as a day on the water fishing for the more abundant walleye.
Challenge The Outdoors Shooting Opportunities
Sporting Clays:
If you are a disabled sportsperson and would like to try your hand at shooting Sporting Clays do we have a deal for you! Every second Tuesday of the month at 11:00 am shooters meet up at J&H Game Farm in Navarino, WI. What you will need to bring is a shotgun, Ear and Eye protection. CTO will provide ammunition and the cost of shooting one round of sporting clays. Due to the extra cost of some shells we are currently only providing 12 and 20 Gauge shells. If you shoot a different Gauge you will be asked to provide your own ammunition. Note: When we shoot Sporting Clays at J&H. most of us come early (around 11:00 am) and enjoy a casual lunch at our own expense from the great J&H menu. We start gathering our equipment and loading up around 12:45 to 1:00 pm for a great afternoon of shooting. It takes each group of shooters about 2 1/2 to 3 hours to finish the course. In the summer months be sure to bring water and skeeter spray!!
Trap or Skeet Organized League Shooting Teams.
If you think you might be interested in becoming a member of a shooting team or starting your own team and would like to apply for CTO funding for yourself or your team. Please contact or e-mail Keith Pamperin at (920) 494-3990 or kjpamperin@aol.com
CTO 2011-2012 AWARD CONTEST IS UNDERWAY
By: Jeff Pagels, Director
A new year for entries into the fishing, hunting and shooting awards competition is now underway. Remember, even small fish can win big prizes as a member can only win in one category for the year. Don’t be dismayed if your fish is small, send it in! For answers to your questions, contact Jeff Pagels at 920-366-5731 or jcpagels@att.net
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how to get lucky when hunting geese
BY James "lefty" Luedke
Let me start by saying the CTO goose hunt is one of my favorite events, for me its a wonderful three day weekend vacation and even though I'm one who has to try and balance work with play all weekend I still have a great time.
The hunt started out with disappointment, day one I was too busy to even get in a blind, and day two featured plenty of spent shells in the morning but only a couple of feathers fell no whole birds. I was beginning to think all I would have to show at the end was gonna be a very sore shoulder. Granted the weekend is never a total loss, what with the great food and good friends sharing stories during the down time. But nothing eases the ache of a over shot shoulder like the knowledge of meat in the freezer and a future goose dinner. With that in mind I loaded up my gear and over/under shotgun and headed to a blind early in the morning on day three (the final day on the hunt). With me as always is my blind partner and little buddy Daniel Saylor (also know as peanut). He is not much of a back-up shooter as he is only ten years old and does not even have a gun, but he hands me shells and helps watch for birds, and is a great helper. As we sit in the blind burning through shells I am constantly adjusting my aiming lead as I am not quite locking down how much to shoot ahead, the geese I imagine get out to their feed wondering why that guy in the flight over kept throwing clouds of steel in front of them while they flew by. Getting frustrated, I turn and tell peanut I'm firing the next shot right off front their bill, and when the next flock of three fly through that’s exactly what I do. Lining up the first shot on the lead bird that’s exactly what I do. Blamm, to my eye it looks like a miss so I quickly line up on the next bird and shoot again. Blamm, this time it works, and as the bird plummets from the sky I jump up to give chase, opening the breach of my gun yelling in triumph but never taking my eyes off the falling bird and it drops on the hillside. I head down the hill, heart racing, searching for my bird. It was a short chase as I found him right away, walking out of the long grass another buddy Tyler comes down the trail on a ATV, he was there to help me find my kill but as I had found it already he congratulates and heads back to the barn. And, as there are still geese flying over head I go back to the blind to settle down (my adrenaline is still pumping) and try and fill another tag. Sitting in my blind I start to hear a goose squawking but see nothing when I search the skies. After a few minutes Tyler and his sister Heather drive past my blind and down the hill, I think Ty is just heading for the duck blind to try and get a few shots in before he has to leave, but he is followed by a dog and the landowner. The landowner (Scott) often uses his dog to help us track lost geese (even though the dog is trained for pheasant and not geese she does a great job and has a excellent track record at finding downed geese). As he passes my blind he commends my shooting and heads down the hill. As he rounds the corner and heads out of sight I hear Heather yell there it is, and Tyler yelling back I got him. Leaving me to wonder, did someone else drop one, did I miss hearing a shot in all my own excitement. As Scott come back past he says we found your bird. Confused I look down to "my bird" at the edge of my blind and think "my bird" is right there, I am dumb founded and ask Scott what do you mean? Scott chuckles and fills me in, apparently the first shoot I took on the lead bird, the "miss", was not a miss at all and as I was chasing my first (second) kill I missed seeing my lead shot circle around and fall not far from my first (second) bird. After tagging my second (first) kill of the day I headed back to the barn to let my ego bask in the glory of dropping two birds in the same flock.
I know I was lucky, lucky to hit two birds and lucky that someone else noticed since I really didn’t have a clue. But please don’t tell my ego as it is very fragile. I will end this true story with a thank you to all the helpers at the 2011 CTO Goose Hunt, without your help and hard work I would never get time to shoot a goose, much less two.
Highlights of Board of Directors Meetings
. August
· The Board of Directors adopted a Memorial Policy to honor CTO members that have passed away.
· 45 people attended the Timber Rattlers baseball game. The Rattlers lost, but the weather, picnic, & fellowship was great.
· Over 20 people attended the Renaissance Fantasy Faire in Door County. There were lots of volunteers dressed up in elaborate costumes and sold things. They also did jousting. It was a fun day!
September
· The Board of Directors approved transferring $1500.00 from the general account into the endowment fund.
·.· The CTO team in Dalton won 1st place in their division of the summer trap league.
LTL ACORN OUTDOORS archery shop, has offered a discount on crossbow to Challenge The Out- doors members.
Check out their website www.ltlacorn.com , if you would like to purchase a crossbow call Scott Gu- dowicz at 920-604-0911 for more information.
WANT TO GO TO AFRICA AND CLIMB A MOUNTAIN?
Plans are being formulated to bring together a group of people with a variety of disabilities to climb one of the highest mountains in the world, Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. To learn more about this climb to be done in August of 2012 you can contact: Dr. Gary Clusserath at 425-444-0500 or email at: gary- clusserath@earthlink.net.
HOLIDAY PARTY 2012
Watch for more details to come on the Holiday Party which is held in January. The date and time have not been set as of this newsletter.
REMINDER!!
Please check for a date on the mailing label of this newsletter. This date indicates when your dues are to be paid. Just complete the form on the last page and return with your payment.
Also—if you have a change of address and/or phone number please let us know. This will assure that you receive your newsletter on time.
PLEASE COME!!
Our Challenge the Outdoors, Inc Board of Directors meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. We welcome your presence and input.
Nov 15, 2011 Muehl Public Library
Seymour, 7:00 p.m.
Dec 13, 2011 Muehl Public Library
Seymour, 7:00 p.m.
If you wish to attend one of our meetings call (920) 525-1123 for a possible change in location.
NEW MEMBERS SEPT-OCT 2011
ROBERT/JANE DAY COREY CURNOR