Welcome to Challenge the Outdoors, Inc.
MARCH 2019 NEWSLETTER
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Carl Gierke
As we hopefully put the colder weather behind us and head toward spring, there are a lot of CTO events and fundraisers coming up. The first weekend in March is maybe the busiest weekend we’ve ever had. March 1st, 2nd and 3rd we have the Green Bay Blizzard football game, UW-Green Bay basketball game, and spring pheasant hunt at J&H. We also have fundraising events coming up, such as the Fishing Expo in Oshkosh (3/1-3) and our Sporting Clays Shoot on April 6th. As you can see, there are a lot of chances to attend or help with events, depending on what you like to do. If you’d like to help or participate in any of the events on the calendar, please contact the coordinator for that event and get on the list ASAP, as some of the events have limited space.
Thanks so much to everyone that’s helped at the many recent events - the HuHot Fundraiser (1/2), Green Bay Gamblers hockey game (1/19), Whitetails Unlimited banquet (2/9), Holiday Party (2/16) and the Hunt Expo in Green Bay (2-22-24), as well as our Tuesday shoots. As always, thanks to the Board of Directors for their hard work. It takes a lot of help from a lot of people to pull it all off, but pitching in and sharing some of the work and fun, making new friends, and getting to know fellow members is all part of what CTO is about. Obviously, there’s a lot going on this year and we’re just getting warmed up. Hopefully, we’ll see you at an event soon, and to all those that help out -THANKS for all you do!!!
SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT / FUNDRAISER –Carl Gierke
CTO’s 21st annual fundraiser will again be held at J&H Game Farm west of Navarino on April 6th. This is a great opportunity for you to pitch in to help CTO grow and fund the events you take part in throughout the year. There are many ways you can help. You can sell raffle tickets, collect donations for raffle prizes, put up posters in businesses to advertise the event, spread the word among your friends to come out and shoot, or help with some of the many tasks the day of the event. If you’d like, copy the poster included in this newsletter and hang some up in your favorite businesses, shooting clubs, or pass them along to anyone you know that likes to shoot.
Postal regulations no longer allow us to send out raffle tickets through the mail for our members to sell. Tickets were distributed at the Holiday Party on February 16th, but if you missed out on that and would like to get some, please contact one of the Fundraiser Committee members and we’ll get you some. The Fundraiser Committee consists of Jim Adamovich, Barb and Fred Kaun, Deb Pheifer, Chris Savka, Sharon LeFevre, Steve Harvey, and myself. I’d like to thank them for all their hard work involved in the planning and preparation of this event. If you’d like to help, please contact someone on the committee and let them know what you’d like to help with. Your support and assistance helps fund our cause and you might even have a little fun in the process. Although this is our 21st fundraiser, we’re always looking for ways to make it better, so let us know if you have any ideas.
WHITETAILS UNLIMITED BANQUET – Carl Gierke
On Saturday, February 9th about a dozen CTO members volunteered their time to help at the Whitetails Unlimited banquet held at Romy’s Nitingale south of Black Creek. CTO director Gary VandenHeuvel coordinates ticket sales and much of the event and in exchange for his help and the help from CTO volunteers, Whitetails Unlimited donates part of the income from the night to CTO. Gary couldn’t make it to the event because he was recovering from knee surgery, but we sure appreciate him helping out CTO. Volunteers got to work at registration and different raffle stations throughout the evening and got to enjoy a great meal (we ate Gary’s share, too). It was a great opportunity to help fund our events and spread the word about CTO and our upcoming fundraiser. A big THANK YOU to everyone that helped! Just a note - Gary has been helping with this event for about 20 years and is looking for someone to take it over. If you’re interested, please let him know.
NAVARINO NATURE CENTER SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT – Carl Gierke
Navarino Nature Center will be holding its 9th annual sporting clays shoot / fundraiser on March 23rd at J&H Game Farm. Their shoot is structured similar to ours - the first round is $25 and a second round is $15. They also have food and door prizes. Many of you know that CTO held a Senior Safari event last October in which CTO members got to tour the nature center property on a tractor-pulled trolley. NNC also assists CTO by letting us use their all-terrain vehicle for our sporting clays shoot and we thank them for their help over the years. If you’d like more information on the shoot, you can contact the nature center at 715-758-6999.
SPRING PHEASANT HUNT AT J&H GAME FARM – Jim Adamovich
This event is scheduled for 8AM until noon, Sunday March 3, 2019. Some of the things we will be coordinating include ordering pheasants, dogs and handlers, machine operators, back-up shooters, cleaners and baggers. In addition, expect great food provided by J&H and a chance to get acquainted with other CTO members and listen to plenty of their stories. 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 your use. John Kempen has donated 12 and 20-gauge shotgun shells. You should wear orange-colored clothing and have proper eye protection. Each hunter is welcome to bring family members or a friend to assist them, but pheasants are provided only for disabled CTO members. Don’t forget to sign up by March 1st, 2019 if you are going to be part of this hunt. Contact information is: Jim Adamovich E-mail: adamovich0208@yahoo.com or call Jim at 920-722-2090.
SPRING TURKEY HUNT- Tom Narmore
This coming May of 2019, Challenge the Outdoors is teaming up with Shadows on the Wolf for a spring turkey hunt for our disabled members. We are able to take approximately ten hunters and the hunt will be from May 17th through May 19th. Lodging for the hunt will be provided at the Christus Memorial Camp located just west of Clintonville. Food will also be provided throughout the hunt, however we will be doing a potluck dinner on Friday evening. Since we are limited on the number of participants we can accept, we will be giving preference to those who have never turkey hunted and to those who have not harvested a turkey. If you have forgotten to send in for your spring turkey permit application, you can still purchase one over the counter sometime near the end of March 2019. Make sure you obtain a tag for Zone 3 period E if you would like to participate in the hunt. Please contact Tom Narmore by email narmore1988@yahoo.com or call (920) 410-4436. (Please leave a message). Sign up will begin March 1st, 2019 and will continue until April 30th, 2019.
LAKE MICHIGAN FISHING – Keith Hartjes
CTO’s Lake Michigan fishing event has been scheduled for the early morning of June 10th and we’ll be meeting at 70 Church Street, Algoma, WI. Check in is at 3:00 AM with departure scheduled for 3:30 AM. Five charter boats are reserved for five hours of fishing, so dress appropriately as we fish rain or shine. We just wanted to give everyone plenty of notice, as there is room for 20 participants. In general, openings are available for disabled members only, as the charter captains and mates can provide any needed assistance. Each participant will need to purchase a fishing license and a Lake Michigan Trout Stamp before you arrive at the marina. You are also responsible for your own food and drink. You are welcome to bring your own life jacket if you choose, but the charter does provide life jackets as well. Fishing gear and bait are provided and all fish caught will be divided equally among participants. Pictures will also be taken once all members are back on shore. If you’re interested, please give Keith Hartjes a call at 920-540-3416.
DNR WEBSITE FOR THE DISABLED SPORTSPERSON- Barb Kaun
As we enter 2019, you may find this website helpful so that you are prepared for fishing and hunting opportunities by reviewing the DNR's requirements for permits and licenses at https://dnr.wi.gov/permits/disabled.html
GREEN BAY GAMBLER RECAP- Steve Harvey & Sharon LeFevre
Thank you to everyone that came out to the Gambler Game on January 19th. The event was sponsored by CTO and the Door County Renaissance Faire and we thank the Faire for your donation to our organization. A good time was had by all and the game went into overtime and then a shoot-out with the Gamblers winning 4 to 3. We had 29 members who were able to enjoy an exciting game and plenty of food. Thank you to all involved to make it another great event.
OLD PHOTOS NEEDED- Steve Harvey & Sharon LeFevre
We are working on a memorial slideshow of CTO members who have passed on and we’d like to add any digital photos you might have. Please forward them to Sharon at bookmom53@gmail.com or Steve at spharleyman57@gmail.com. Thanks!!
ARCHERY SHOOT- Brian Hess
CTO will host a 3D Archery/Crossbow Target and Sighting Shoot on April 13th, 2019 from 10AM-3 PM at R& B Archery Range located at W5251 Pleasant Road, Black Creek WI. Please come and sight your archery equipment in or just come to practice and mingle with other members. There will be all sorts of 3D targets to shoot at from different ranges with various animal targets. We will have a small course set up to shoot at for a chance to win gift cards so bring your best shot. Pizza and a beverage will be provided and if you would like to bring a dish to pass that would be great. If you would like to try a crossbow but don’t have one, just give me a call and I can bring an extra one. Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please call Brian – 920-680-7954.
SHAWANO LAKE FISHING – Saturday, June 1st is CTO’s annual fishing outing on Shawano Lake. The event is held at the park in Cecil and no fishing license is needed as this is the DNR’s free fishing weekend. Boats and bait are provided, but you will need to bring your own fishing equipment (CTO does have some equipment available). You will need to reserve a spot by calling Pat Nieuwenhuis (920-687-8707) so we know how many people to expect. You’ll be asked to sign a waiver at the event. We’ll start at 8:00 AM and usually fish until about 11:00 AM when lunch will be served. After lunch, you can go out and fish again if you’d like. Hope to see you there!