Welcome to Challenge the Outdoors, Inc.
JULY 2019 NEWSLETTER
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Carl Gierke
Well, we’ve already had several fun events this year, and summer is just warming up. This spring we’ve had our turkey hunt, Shawano Lake fishing event, Chasing Rainbows trout fishing and a couple Lake Michigan fishing events. Congratulations to all who participated and often braved the elements to get out and enjoy Wisconsin’s outdoor opportunities. We were rained on a few times, but we were never rained out!
On July 21st, we’ll be having our annual banquet and awards dinner and you are cordially invited. This year we’re trying a new venue for the banquet – Stadium View in Green Bay. It’s always a fun night and a great chance to enjoy some good food, visit with fellow members, vote for directors, and enjoy a night out courtesy of CTO. A big part of the evening is devoted to saying thank you to the many wonderful volunteers and others who pitch in to make our many events happen and we’ll also be presenting awards to individuals who may have harvested a big fish, deer or turkey. We hope to see you there.
As always, a huge thank you to our Board of Directors for their hard work and to the many volunteers who help with our events. Many events might look like they just happen, but there’s usually a lot involved with purchasing and preparing food, scheduling volunteers, and handling all the things that fall into the miscellaneous category. In addition, there are people working behind the scenes to keep CTO operating efficiently by helping with the secretary duties, newsletter, Facebook page and website, bookkeeping, membership, fundraising, and many other things. Without these people working together, CTO would not exist. Thanks to everyone that pitches in for their great work!
NEWSLETTER VOLUNTEER NEEDED - David Paul
CTO is looking for a volunteer to help with printing, collating, labeling and mailing the newsletter six times a year. The newsletter would still be created by David Paul and would be emailed to the volunteer for distribution. All materials including the printer would be provided by CTO for the volunteer. If this is something you would be interested in or if you have questions, please call David Paul at 920-740-2775. This position needs to be filled by the end of August.
NEWSLETTER WILL NOW BE SENT BY EMAIL- David Paul
Starting with the January newsletter, we will no longer be mailing the newsletter to you unless you don’t have an email account. It is important for you to call, text or email David Paul and give him your email address. His number is 920-740-2775 and email is 1957dcp@gmail.com. This will reduce unnecessary cost for the club as well as time and energy.
WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS BASEBALL GAME – Carl Gierke On Saturday, August 10th we will get together at Fox Cities Stadium, 2400 N. Casaloma Dr. in Appleton for our annual Timber Rattlers game. We’ll meet in the parking lot near the southwest corner of the stadium at 4:45 when tickets will be distributed. Gates open at 5:00 and dinner will be served from 5:00- 6:30 and the game will start at 6:35. This event is open to all members and tickets and dinner are courtesy of CTO, however the $5 parking fee is your responsibility. Guests are welcome, but will be responsible for buying their own tickets. Admission includes your game ticket and an all-you-can-eat dinner (brats and burgers), along with two beverages. After the game, kids can run the bases and there will also be fireworks. Please reserve your tickets ASAP, but no later than July 26th by contacting Carl Gierke by phone (920-986-3272) or e-mail (cgierke1@outlook.com).
OCTOBER SPECIAL DISABLED DEER HUNT- Pat Nieuwenhuis
This year’s hunt will begin on Saturday, October 5th and ends on October 13th. Sign up for the deer hunt starts on July 1st and ends on August 31st. You must contact Pat Nieuwenhuis at 920-687-8707 to sign up. Please watch your next newsletter for additional information and the exact times.
MEMBERSHIP EXPIRED?
You are responsible for keeping your membership up to date. Everyone received a copy of the new Membership Policy in the mail with the invitation to the CTO annual banquet. Life Memberships never have to be renewed.
EVENT COMMITTEE- Steve Harvey
We would like to hear from members, volunteers, or whoever has an idea about new possible events or positive comments on how to improve any existing events. If any person has a concern or suggestion about an event, please contact the committee either by phone or email and it will stay confidential. The committee will discuss and try to problem solve and concerns will be brought to the board, if needed. There is always room for improvement so all events can be enjoyed by all. Thank You for your input for a great organization.
Chairperson-Steve Harvey 920-494-3143 spharleyman@aol.com , Keith Hartjes 920-540-3416 keith.hartjes76@sbcglobal.net Randy Swille 920-373-081 randyswille@yahoo.com
17TH ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP AND AWARDS BANQUET- Deb Pheifer
CTO’s annual banquet will be held Sunday, July 21st 2019 at Stadium View located at 1963 Holmgren Way in Green Bay, Wis. At this event we recognize donors, thank volunteers, present awards and have our yearly elections for the Board of Directors. This is a wonderful time to thank the individuals who donate time and resources to our organization, meet new members and reconnect with old! Please submit any applications for awards to Steve Lang (920-948-4847). If you have any questions or if you have not received an invitation, please call or text Deb Pheifer @ 715-412-4162. You must RSVP for this event by July 11th by calling the CTO office phone (920-593-6300) and leaving a message, or by email at ctoforme@yahoo.com. The amount of food and staff is determined by our head count. Thank you!
CHASING RAINBOWS – Cliff Pheifer
June 15th is usually warm but this June was misty, cool, and windy. CTO still had 30 brave souls who came to trout fish and enjoy lunch! We caught over 72 pounds of trout. The biggest fish along with a hand carved fish trophy (donated by Gerry Schick) went to Alexander Gerarden! Congrats Alexander! A delicious lunch and pot luck were enjoyed by all. Thanks to all who volunteered their time, as well those who assisted fellow CTO members at the trout pond despite wet and slippery conditions. We will host a second Chasing Rainbows on Saturday, Aug 17, at Wilderness Springs Trout Farm, which can be reached by going west of New London on HWY 54 and then turn right on Madden Rd. No fishing license is required and there is no size limit on trout, with a two fish limit. Fishing will start at 9:30 AM. Please bring your fishing poles, secret lures, and dish to pass for lunch. Cane poles, bait, cleaning, packaging on ice will be provided. To sign up for this event contact Cliff Pheifer at (715) 412 1707 or e-mail at: cliffp.cto@gmail.com.
CTO END OF SUMMER OUTING AT OUTAGAMIE CONSERVATION CLUB – Deb Pheifer Enjoy trap shooting, pistol range, archery, catch & release fishing, card playing, great food and fellowship on Saturday September 14th, starting at 10 AM, with no end time set. Address is N3502 Mayflower Road, Hortonville. We will have trap shooting and OCC has a few shotguns that will be available to borrow if you do not have a shotgun. Bring your own shells, or purchase 12 or 20 gauge shells from OCC for $7 a box. CTO will pick up the cost of one box of shells purchased at OCC for use at the outing. There will be plenty of time and instruction if needed, so we hope some of our members who have wanted to try trap shooting will take advantage of this great opportunity. Show off some of your adaptive shooting equipment or give instructions to a new shooter. The pistol range will also be available. Bring your own pistol and ammunition. Targets will be supplied or bring your own if you wish. Archery shooting will be available and OCC has a crossbow or two to loan out and we will have at least one of our crossbows available as well. Bring your favorite rod and tackle for fishing at the stocked pond that will be catch and release only, unless the fish is deep hooked and won’t survive. CTO will provide live bait and you may bring your own as well. The pond is stocked with trout, pan fish and largemouth bass. The terrain is very flat around the pond and the entire OCC grounds, so getting around will be fairly easy, but you may want to bring a power scooter as the activities are spread out. A handicapped accessible Porta-Potty is on sight. As for food, CTO will be providing the main meat dish and all those attending are asked to please bring a dish to pass. The comfortable clubhouse will be used for serving the meal and an open bar to purchase beverages will be available. CTO will be providing water only. We will also have some cards available for anyone interested. OCC is a great place to enjoy many different activities, and our members get a chance to learn a new skill or two. You can check out OCC’s website to see what: http://www.wiocc.com
MENOMINEE PARK & ZOO 2nd ANNUAL FISHING PICNIC- Tammy McFaul Kritz
On Saturday, August 3rd, from 10 AM until 4 PM we will be hosting a pot luck picnic at the Kiwanis Large Shelter, (Northside of park). Attendees can go fishing on the east shore of Lake Winnebago, use the playground, and also enjoy the free 8-acre zoo that houses over 50 animals. For an extra fee you can take a train ride that goes through the park, or rent kayaks, aqua bikes and canoes at Menomonee Park, 520 Pratt Trail in Oshkosh, 54901. Contact Person -Tammy Kritz 920-527-0696.
NIGHT AT THE RACES- Jim Adamovich
The races will be held on August 1st at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna on Highway 55 and KK. Time trials are at 5:45 PM and the races begin at 6:45. Each person is allowed one hamburger, a fry and a soda. Tickets are available by calling Jim Adamovich at 920-722-2090. Please call to reserve your spot by July 31st.
YOUTH AND LADIES DAY SEPTEMBER 7TH - Keith Hartjes
J&H will be hosting its Annual Youth & Ladies Day of Outdoor Instruction on Saturday, September 8th. Registration will be from 9AM – 3PM and activities will run until 4PM. This is a free event for all ladies and all kids up to age 18. Activities will include shotgun, 22 and BB gun shooting stations, archery, fly casting, and the trout fishing will again be sponsored by Challenge the Outdoors. There will be displays by the DNR, Al Meier’s Taxidermy and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Ladies Group. Food is also furnished along with a door prize for each participant. For more information about the activities, or if you wish to make any donations, please contact Diane at J&H at 715-758-8134 or e-mail at jhclub@tds.net. CTO is always looking for helpers at the Trout Pond. If you would like to help the youth and ladies catch fish or join those who clean the trout after they are caught, please contact Keith Hartjes at 920-540-3416. Helping out and watching the smiles on the faces of kids catching fish is a lot of fun – you won’t be disappointed!
WATERFOWL HUNTING OPPORTUNITY FOR FIRST-TIME HUNTERS- Keith Pamperin Challenge the Outdoors has been invited to have four disabled members that are first-time waterfowl hunters participate in the Green Bay Duck Hunters 2019 Waterfowl Learn to Hunt. It will begin Friday, September 13th from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, dinner included, at the Brown County Sportsman's Club with orientation and hunter safety. You will meet your mentors at this time and determine where you will meet and what is necessary to get you out in the marsh the following morning before dawn. The Learn to Hunt will take place early Saturday September 14th, and all hunters will meet after the hunt at noon at Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve to enjoy lunch and tales of the hunt. There is no age limitation for disabled CTO members that wish to participate. You will be responsible for your own transportation and licenses and permits listed below. Interested disabled CTO members that wish to participate should contact Keith Pamperin at kjpamperin@aol.com or 920-494-3990. I will email the requirements and an application to participants. Each participant must meet the following:
Learn to Hunt (LTH) license requirements:
1. Must have a DNR customer ID#
2. HIP certification (no charge)
3. LTH participants DO need to purchase a goose permit since it is a reportable harvest, if they are planning to hunt geese during the LTH. They are only $3.
4. LTH hunters are exempt and do not require a small game license, state duck stamp or federal duck stamp. NOTE: if LTH hunter is 16 years old or older, a federal duck stamp is required.
Other notes regarding requirements:
1. Only eligible LTH participants are allowed to hunt inside the Oconto or Sensiba refuges.
2. If the hunter has held a waterfowl license before OR they have participated in the LTH waterfowl last year or previously, then they are NOT eligible for this year’s LTH.
3. It is important to remember the differences between the LTH, mentor, and youth hunts, as well as regulations regarding hunting in a refuge.
Send me an email if you are interested. The four CTO members that participated last year had a great time. Keith A. Pamperin , kjpamperin@aol.com , 920-494-3990
PHEASANT HUNT OPPORTUNITY- Keith Pamperin
Challenge the Outdoors has been invited by Taking Wing Stewardship to have five disabled hunters participate in a mentored pheasant hunt at Triple J Hunt Club, Brillion WI. on Saturday, September 21 starting at 8:00 am. This mentored hunt is for youth and persons with disabilities. There are no licenses required for this hunt. Please contact Keith Pamperin at kjpamperin@aol.com or call 920-494-3990 if you are interested.
FALL PHEASANT HUNT - Jim Adamovich
The hunt will take place Sunday, October 27th, starting at 8 AM at J&H Game Farm, W5810 J&H Road, just West of Navarino off HWY 156. CTO will coordinate placing of pheasants, dogs and handlers, ATV operators, back-up shooters, cleaners and baggers. It’s always a great day to share stories and get to know other CTO members. Each disabled hunter will be allowed two pheasants. If you don’t have your own gun, there will be guns available at J & H Game Farm for you to use. Shotgun shells, (12 gauge and 20 gauge), have been donated by John Kempen. For safety reasons, orange clothing is required to be worn. Each hunter is welcome to bring family members or a friend to assist them, but pheasants are put out only for the disabled CTO members. Food will be provided by J&H. Don’t forget to sign up by October 31st if you are going to be part of this hunt. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Adamovich E-mail: jimrita0208@yahoo.com or 920-722-2090.
CTO PONTOON BOAT – David Paul
Challenge the Outdoors is again keeping its pontoon boat on Shawano Lake at the park docks in Cecil (southeast corner of the lake). All you need to do is call David Paul, (920-740-2775) to reserve the boat for a half or full day. If you’ve never used the pontoon boat, you’ll also need to take a short orientation course from Dave.
SHOOT TIL YOU DROP - Jim Adamovich
On Saturday, September 10th from 8am until 4pm, CTO will hold this event at J&H Game Farm located off HWY 156 just west of Navarino. Disabled shooters and volunteers assisting disabled shooters can choose from sporting clays, wobble flurry, skeet and 5-stand shooting. CTO picks up the cost of the targets and ammunition for this day-long event. Food will be made by J&H, however participants are asked to bring a dish to pass for lunch. Call Jim Adamovich to sign up at 920-722-2090.
LAKE MICHIGAN SALMON FISHING RECAP (JUNE 2019) - Keith Hartjes
The event was held June 10th 2019 and the boats departed from Algoma, WI. There were five charter boats, Hakuna Matata, Grand Illusion 2, Midnight Run, Relax 5 and Relax 6. Twenty CTO members went out with two helpers. A special thank you to Alex Wagner for your help loading members. Eight fish were caught which were split equally among the members. The largest king salmon was caught by Gary Vanden Heuvel which was 39 ¾ inches and the largest lake trout was hauled in by Alayna Vadnais at 35 inches. Alayna stole the day with her “holy moly, golly wolly, dad this is awesome”, and her fish kiss. This event I will remember forever due to the fun had by everyone. It was a little windy and rough, but it was all worth it. Thanks go out to Jimmy John’s of Green Bay and Steve Harvey for providing sandwiches for the entire group. Next year’s event is scheduled for June 1, 2020 with the same five charter boats. We can’t wait.
SCOPING THE GREAT OUTDOORS - Bob Schuh
Winds were starting to blow harder and waves were building as we arrived at the Algoma marina on Monday, June 10 which was Challenge the Outdoors (CTO) Lake Michigan annual fishing outing. The boat we were on was the Grand Illusion II which is a 34 foot Silverton with a fly bridge which was ran by its owner, Captain Lee Haasch. Our first mate was his nephew, Captain Trevor Haasch. There were four of us on the charter including Gary Vanden Heuvel, Bill Mecha, Brian Hess, and myself. At one point Trevor asked where we were from. When Bill said Maribel, Trevor said he took his hunter safety in Maribel and said we looked familiar. I told him we should as Bill and I were his hunter safety instructors some eight years ago. Not long after setting up the lines a reel started peeling out line. While Gary was fighting that fish, Brian got another one in hand and soon landed a nice lake trout. Shortly after that another fish hit but snapped the line. An hour after Gary started his fight he brought a nice 22 pound, 10-ounce chinook to the net along with several tangled lines. After another half hour Bill got his chance and he brought a 10-pound chinook to the net. Even though the boat was large we bounced around in four-foot seas making it tough to walk around. We did quite well considering the conditions with our three fish. One other boat brought in three, one boat brought in two fish, and two boats still had the skunk in the box when we got back to the dock. Gary’s fish turned out to be the biggest of the morning but only by 10 ounces making him the champ for the day. Go to www.ctoforme.org and check out all the activities that CTO is involved in to fill the outdoor desires of disabled persons in northeastern Wisconsin. (Note: This article was written by Bob for the Manitowoc Lakeshore Chronicle and is reprinted with his permission).
SPRING TURKEY HUNT RECAP - Tom Narmore
On May 17th-19th, CTO partnered with the Clintonville Chapter of Shadows on the Wolf to mentor our disabled turkey hunters. Our mentors set hunters in good areas and called to lure the turkeys in with the hope of getting a chance to shoot a tom turkey. They even cleaned the turkeys so they were ready to take home. This year’s hunters included, Randy Swille, Tom Narmore, Laurie Dubord, Clayton Gofford, Keith Hartjes, Rob Mclain, Jim Rohde and Kaley Wockunfus. The hunt began on Friday evening for everyone. Couldn't have asked for a nicer evening to hunt. Everyone saw turkeys that night. Clayton Goffard was the only one to tag a turkey that evening. It was his first turkey. After Fridays hunt we all got to enjoy some pizzas that were donated on behalf of Papa Murphy’s of Oshkosh. On Saturday morning everyone else headed to the woods to get their turkey. It was cloudy with on and off rain all day. Despite the weather two turkeys were harvested. Everyone saw quite a few birds that day. Saturday afternoon we got to sit down with our members and have a nice lunch/dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, hot ham and cheese sandwiches, and lots of desserts, put on by our great food committee and volunteers. On Sunday morning two hunters went out despite the heavy rain. Luckily, shortly after daybreak it turned into a light sprinkle for most of the morning. Despite the weather, one turkey was harvested that morning by Tom Narmore. The weather wasn't the most ideal for hunting as the turkeys weren't as talkative as years past. As always, it was a great weekend and everyone saw turkeys. We can’t wait to see what happens next year. I would like to speak on behalf of all participants of this year’s hunt and thank Shadows on the Wolf for putting on a great hunt for us. It’s always a great time. We also would like to thank all of the volunteers and the food committee for making sure we all had plenty to eat for the weekend. Next year’s turkey hunt will be May 15th-17th, 2020. Sign up will begin January 15th, 2020 and go through March 15th. Stay tuned for further details.
NEW MEMBERS - Please welcome John Dentice and Ella Hameister to CT
JUNE 1ST SHAWANO LAKE FISHING RECAP – Carl Gierke
CTO again held its annual fishing event on June 1st during Wisconsin’s free fishing weekend (no fishing license was required). We had a tent set up in Cecil, which came in handy with the light rain in the morning. About 45 people attended and in addition to CTO’s new pontoon boat, boats were provided by Mike Shulze, Bill Mayville, Randy (Chouse) Hartlaben, and Jerry and Pat Rogalski. Kevin Gunderson from Heroes on the Water was there to offer the use of his fishing kayaks to CTO members. The morning rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the fishermen, as they headed out after being assigned to boats and returned about noon for lunch. Our food crew did their usual fantastic job of feeding everyone and members contributed a lot of great pot-luck dishes. When everyone finished, we measured some of the monster fish that were caught. Some of those included a 14” largemouth bass by Todd Weyenberg, a 7” bluegill by Shannon Nighbor (yes, Shannon was happy about that), a 7 ½” perch by Allen Wegner and an 8” crappie and 25” northern pike by Roger Urmanski. We had some great help from volunteers young and old and we also had some new members attend, some all the way from north of Milwaukee. A big THANK YOU to everyone that pitched in to make this another fun event. Next year’s event will again be held on the first Saturday in June (June 6th) – put it on your calendar and we hope to see you there!
TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION- Sharon LeFevre
*CTO’s Website address: www.ctoforme.org
*Facebook is: CTO - Challenge The Outdoors (this is a public group). Please note that you need to access this Facebook group page through Facebook and search for our name.
*Facebook group page for CTO is.https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengetheoutdoors/
If you have questions regarding any of the above, you can contact Sharon at 920-615-2356 or bookmom53@gmail.com
ARCHERY DEER HUNT- Keith Hartjes
Christus Church Camp has been reserved for September 20-22 for ten hunters who will be allowed to attend with mentors. Blinds will be set up on land that has been set aside for this hunt. You may use your own blind as well. The land owner will let you and your mentor know what type of deer they want you to harvest. Lunch on Saturday will be the large meal, bring snacks if you wish. Bring all your bow hunting equipment and make sure to dress for the weather. Bow hunting license is required. Contact person Keith Hartjes at 920-540-3416.