Challenge The Outdoors, Inc

 WELCOME TO CHALLENGE THE OUTDOORS, INC.

MARCH 2023 NEWSLETTER

www.ctoforme.org

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Carl Gierke If you’ve been hanging up posters or buying or selling tickets for this year’s Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser on April 1st, you may have noticed that this is CTO’s 25th shoot. Many years ago, a small group of people that wanted to hunt, fish and enjoy Wisconsin’s outdoors together, had a vision to create an organization that would provide opportunities for disabled individuals to do just that. Some of these individuals were disabled and some were not, but they pooled their knowledge and ambition and got started. They planned their first event, a fall deer hunt, but knew they’d need money to pay for the many expenses associated with the hunt. After considering some options for a fundraiser and realizing that people here get a little “shack happy” after a long winter and look forward to getting out to do things when the weather starts warming up, it was decided to have a Sporting Clays Shoot at J&H Game Farm in April of 1998. The founders and supporters organized and advertised the event, collected donations for a raffle and sold raffle tickets, much as we do today, and CTO was off and running.

Those founders and early backers of CTO deserve a big thanks for their vision and perseverance. CTO has provided countless opportunities for so many individuals over the past 25 years to socialize and enjoy the many activities the organization has provided. It certainly would have been impossible for those folks to envision what the organization would look like after all these years, but their efforts laid the groundwork for the success we still enjoy. Just like those founders, the many people that are involved in CTO today are laying the groundwork for the next 25 years. They also deserve a big thank you because their efforts will hopefully be providing opportunities for disabled individuals for many years to come. If you’d like to be one of the people that helps keep this great tradition alive, please consider helping out at this year’s Sporting Clays Fundraiser or other events. Your efforts can help disabled individuals now and help secure CTO’s future for another 25 years, or longer. Happy anniversary and thanks to everyone that’s helped make CTO what it is today!

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

SPRING PHEASANT HUNT – Carl Gierke Our spring hunt will take place on Sunday, March 5th from 8:30 until about noon at J&H Game Farm. We’ve arranged for pheasants to be released, dogs and handlers, machine operators and great food. It’s always a great day to share stories and get to know other CTO members. Each disabled hunter will be allowed two pheasants that will be cleaned and bagged for them. If you don’t have your own gun, there will be guns available at J&H for you to use. Shotgun shells (12 and 20 gauge) will be provided and you will need to wear orange. 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. Lunch is courtesy of CTO and is made by the good folks at J&H. Please contact me no later than March 2nd if you are interested in being a part of the hunt.

BLIZZARD INDOORS FOOTBALL GAME MARCH 31, FRIDAY 6PM RESCH CENTER, GREEN BAY-Steve HarveyTo sign up please contact chair Steve Harvey (920-494-3143) or Sharon LeFevre (920-615-2356) to reserve tickets. Deadline to sign-up is March 23. CTO will provide a TICKET and $10.00 FOOD CARD. You are responsible for your transportation and parking cost. Please arrive in lobby between 5pm and 5:30PM TO RECEIVE YOUR TICKETS.

2023 FUNDRAISERS As you probably know, CTO hosts or is involved with several fundraisers throughout the year. Raising money through these events, rather than relying strictly on memberships, enables us to keep our membership affordable and helps supplement the cost of our events. We’d like you to know about these events as you may want to volunteer, donate items, or solicit donations for the event(s). Events for the upcoming year include:

Saturday, April 1st – CTO Sporting Clays Shoot Fundraiser, J&H Game Farm (Navarino) – contact Barb Kaun

Saturday, April 15th – MWR Foundation Banquet/Fundraiser – Grand Meridian (Appleton) -contact Sharon LeFevre

SPORTING CLAY SHOOT / FUNDRAISER – APRIL 1st - Barb Kaun, Carl Gierke Mark your calendar for CTO’s annual sporting clays fundraiser, which will be held April 1st at J&H Game Farm near Navarino. This is a great opportunity for you to pitch in and help fund the events you take part in throughout the year. There are many ways you can help. You can collect donations for raffle prizes, sell raffle tickets, spread the word among your friends and family to come out and shoot, hang up posters in your favorite hang-out or watering hole, or help the day of the event. Planning for the April 1st, 2023 Annual Sporting Clay Fundraiser has already begun as we’ve started to acquire higher-priced prizes that are advertised on the raffle tickets, such as fishing or hunting trips, guns, club memberships, or sporting equipment. If you or someone you know has a prize they’d like to donate, please contact one of the committee members (Barb or Fred Kaun, Chris Savka, Ann Attnip, Debi Delie, Carl Gierke). Now is the time to think about where you can best volunteer. Volunteer to set-up on Friday, March 31st 2023, or on April 1st to register shooters, serve food to shooters and volunteers, sell bucket raffle tickets, help record raffle prize winners, be a safety monitor on the shooting line, drive a UTV to transport people, or spend some time cleaning up after the event. Every member can sell main raffle tickets prior to the event or obtain prizes for the raffles. The event involves a lot of planning and contacting people, but it’s always a lot of fun too. If you’d like to participate in any way, make a donation, or know any business or individual willing to make a donation, please let us know. Thanks for your help!

SUNDAY SPORTING CLAY SHOOT- Randy Swille/ Steve Harvey The CTO Sunday Sporting Clay Shoots are all scheduled for the 2023 year. We hope to see many new faces along with our friends that have had fun shooting in the past. New hours at J & H will have us starting at 9:30AM with our get together lunch at around noon. The dates are as follows: May 7th, June 11th, August 20th (Shoot of Your Choice)

SPRING TURKEY HUNT- Tom Narmore This May, 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 19th through May 21st. Lodging for the hunt will be provided at the Christus Memorial Camp located just outside of Clintonville. Food will also be provided throughout the hunt; however, we will be doing a potluck dinner on Saturday afternoon. The main course will be provided by Challenge the Outdoors (further food details to come). Since we are limited on the number of participants, we will be giving preference to those who have never turkey hunted and to those who have never harvested a turkey. Deadline to send in for your turkey tag is December 10th, 2022, but if you forget to apply by that deadline, you can also purchase a tag over the counter sometime near the end of March 2023. When applying for or purchasing your turkey tag, please make sure you obtain one tag for zone 3, period E (5th period.) No matter how many tags you obtain, you will only be able to harvest one bearded turkey. The sign-up for the spring 2023 turkey hunt will begin January 15th and go until March 1st, 2023. Your cooperation is needed for planning with our mentors and landowners. Also, if you think you might need help with any personal care issues, please bring your own assistant. There will be plenty of room and food for your assistant to stay with you for the whole event. To sign up, please contact Tom Narmore (920)410-4436 or narmore1988@yahoo.com.

SHAWANO LAKE FISHING – Carl Gierke On Saturday, June 3rd, CTO will hold its annual fishing event on Shawano Lake, beginning at 8am. 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 baits are provided and CTO will have some fishing equipment available, although you’re welcome to bring your own equipment. We’ll start at 8am and fish until about 11am when we’ll take a break for lunch. If you’d like, you can go out fishing again after lunch. You’ll need to reserve a spot by calling me (920-986-3272) no later than May 30th so we know how many people to expect. Hope to see you there!

CHASING RAINBOWS AT WILDERNESS SPRINGS TROUT POND – Carl Gierke On Saturday, June 17th and Saturday Aug 26th, Chasing Rainbows will be held 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. Watch for CTO signs. 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 and secret lures, although CTO will have some fishing equipment available. Lunch, water, cane poles, bait, cleaning and packaging on ice will all be provided. To sign up for this event contact Carl Gierke at (920-986-3272)

SEPTEMBER 2023 BEAR HUNT OPPORTUNITY - Carl Gierke Joe Kalmon of Wisconsin Black Bear Guide Service is offering a guided bear hunt this fall near Mellen, Wisconsin (Mellen is about 25 miles southeast of Ashland). The hunt is being offered to a disabled CTO member that does not use a wheelchair, due to the fact that he has only one wheelchair-accessible blind and that has already been awarded to a hunter outside our organization. Basically, baited stands would be provided for the hunter, who would need to acquire his/her own bear tag for Zone A at least 30 days before the season opener. The season runs from Wednesday, September 13th through the 26th, however Joe is recommending a hunt from the 13th through the 17th. A cookout is held on Tuesday evening before the opener with the other hunters in camp, however all other meals and lodging are the responsibility of the hunter. If you have enough points for a tag, this is a great opportunity. If you don’t, CTO may be able to help with a tag transfer. If you or someone you know is able to transfer a tag for this hunt, please let me know. The lucky hunter will be selected by drawing if there is more than one applicant. If you’d like to be considered for this hunt, please contact me asap, but no later than June 1st.

BOARD OF DIRECTOR ELECTION TIME- Sharon LeFevre It’s time again for the annual elections to the Board of Directors. We have two members up for re-election this year as follows: Keith Pamperin and Sharon LeFevre. We are also looking for new directors to join us. If this is something you are interested in, please call or text me at 920-615-2356 or email me at bookmom53@gmail.com by the 5th of May so we can talk and get your bio. All directors have a three-year term.

RECAP OF RECENT EVENTS

HOLIDAY PARTY - Sharon LeFevre Sixty people signed-up to attend the Holiday Party held on January 28th. We had great weather for our members to drive to the event, but too cold for a few to attend. We had pizza and chicken tenders, door prizes for all in attendance and bowling for members that chose to partake. Everyone had a great time and smiles all around the room. We were able to kick off our annual fund raiser by having tickets available at the event. We all enjoyed great desserts before heading home. We look forward to seeing you all again next year. A huge shout-out to all that donated time and prizes to make this a great event.

GAMBLER HOCKEY GAME- Sharon LeFevre & Steve Harvey We had a great turnout for the game held on February 10thwith ticket demand exceeding supply. This is first time we had to say “sorry, tickets were all spoken for.” I was only able to get 32 tickets for this game. Everybody that attended had a great time while enjoying the action-packed game. We would like to thank everyone who attended and look forward to next year's season.

WISCONSIN STATE HUNTING AND FISHING EXPO – Carl Gierke On February 24-26, Challenge the Outdoors had the opportunity to showcase our organization at the Hunt and Fish Expo held at the new Resch Expo in Green Bay, which enabled us to raise awareness, talk to prospective members and donors, and sell raffle tickets for our upcoming Sporting Clays Fundraiser. This year we also helped supervise a kids archery range and a laser shooting range. There were a lot of children at the show this year and our workers at these ranges had a great time with the kids. Once again, CTO members stepped up to help at all the booths and it was a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone that helped out!!

NON-EVENT INFORMATION

NEW MEMBERS- Please welcome the following members to CTO: Liz Paape and Gary Fontaine who are now Life Members.

SCHOLARSHIP - Sharon LeFevre We are at that time of year again when we need to get applications for the annual scholarships. The scholarships are available for disabled members in their second year of college, in good standings, and registered with disability services at the school. Please let me know if you are interested in applying before March 14, 2023. The application deadline is the end of April, I need to know how many members qualify for the scholarship offered by CTO. Please contact Sharon LeFevre at 920-615-2356 or bookmom53@gmail.com.

AMAZON SMILE CLUB - Sharon LeFevre Amazon has decided to discontinue the Smile Club program that some of our members used for donations to CTO. They found that they were not reaching out to as many organizations as they had expected with the program and encourage everyone that used the program, to donated to the organization directly. Please let me know if you have any questions about this program. The program ended on February 20, 2023. Sharon LeFevre 920-615-2356

CROSSBOW HUNTING OPPORTUNITY – David Paul I want to share with our members an opportunity for individuals who are wheelchair bound or have a disability to participate in a Crossbow Deer Hunt in northern Wisconsin each fall. This event is not run by CTO but is offered by WHEELCHAIR WHITETAILS and you can read more about this great opportunity on their website, WHEELCHAIRWHITETAILS.ORG

I will highlight some of the important facts about this hunt and you will need to complete the application on their website. Once again, CTO has nothing to do with this hunt but many of our members have participated in the past. Feel free to share this information with friends who might be interested in this opportunity as this is open to anyone who meets their eligibility requirements.

PARTICIPANTS DO NOT HAVE TO BE WHEELCHAIR BOUND BUT ARE GIVEN PREFERENCE IF THEY ARE FOR THE HUNT.

THERE IS NO COST TO ATTEND.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PURCHASING YOUR CROSSBOW LICENSE. A DISABLED HUNTING PERMIT IS NOT NEEDED.

CROSSBOWS ARE THE ONLY WEAPON THAT MAY BE USED. YOU MAY BRING YOUR OWN OR ONE WILL BE PROVIDED IF YOU DON’T OWN ONE.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ARRANGING YOUR OWN TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE HUNT AND YOU MUST HAVE AN ASSISTANT WITH YOU. (SPOUSE, FRIEND, RELATIVE). ASSISTANTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HUNT.

LODGING, MEALS AND TRANSPORTATION ARE PROVIDED ONCE YOU ARRIVE AT THE CAMP.

THE HUNT IS GUIDED ON PRIVATE, UNFENCED PROPERTY IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN WHERE 15 GROUND BLINDS ARE ESTABLISHED.

HUNTS START IN THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER AND RUN UNTIL MID NOVEMBER.

PARTICIPANTS ARRIVE THURSDAY AT NOON AND STAY AT THE LODGE UNTIL NOON SATURDAY.

PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE ABOVE FOR ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. YOU MUST APPLY ONLINE FOR THE HUNT.

CTO HAS BEEN ASKED TO FIND MEMBERS WHO WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

Camo portable blind, Camo pants large Reversible, Camo/blaze orange jacket L/XL

Camo hat (full face), Mossy Oak hooded jacket 2XL, Camo net face covering,

Huntworth camo hat with neck warmer, Blaze orange hat (full face)

Huntworth strap around hand warmer, Real Tree (camo) jacket 2XL,

Mossy Oak camo fleece large, Huntsworth blaze orange fleece XL,

Another generous CTO couple has promised to shop yard sales for hunting and fishing supplies that CTO members are in need of to make their outdoor sporting events fulfilling. If you are interested in these items or want this couple to watch for specific items please contact b.kaun.316@gmail.com or 920-720-9689.

TWO WHEELCHAIRS FOR SALE Contact Jan Gordon at 715-584-0416 for more information.

PERMITS FOR DISABLED HUNTERS Qualified disabled persons may obtain a permit to hunt from a stationary vehicle. Visually handicapped persons may be able to obtain a permit to use a laser sighting device while hunting with a firearm, bow or crossbow. An authorized health care provider must complete and sign the Hunting or Trolling Disability Permit Authorizations Application form 9400-604 [PDF]. To obtain a form, visit dnr.wi.gov and search using the keywords “disabled hunter permit” or contact the DNR Call Center at 888-936- 7463 for further information. Allow six weeks for the permit application to be processed.

DISABLED VETERAN RECREATION CARD Resident disabled veterans who are receiving disability compensation benefits due to a disability rating of at least 50% or greater for a service-related disability, or who are individually unemployable are eligible to receive the annual Disabled Veteran Recreation Card. Privileges include fishing, small game, state park admission and trail pass.

CTO ONGOING PROGRAMS - CTO has several programs designed to supplement the cost of outdoor activities and encourage disabled members to get out and have some fun. To be eligible for these programs, you must be a member for at least one year (except awards). See the website for further additional information and application forms. Otherwise, please contact the chairperson if you have questions.

These include:

1) Shooting Policy – Designed to encourage participation in shooting sports, allows up to $50.00 per year toward membership in sporting/gun club(s). Original receipts must be submitted for reimbursement. Contact – Carl Gierke

2) Adaptive Equipment – Supplements the cost of disability-related equipment necessary for a disabled member to take part in a hunting or fishing activity. Original receipts must be submitted for reimbursement, which is half the cost of the item up to a maximum of $100 annually. Contact – Carl Gierke

3) Field Grants – Supplements the cost of hunting or fishing trips up to a maximum of $200 per year, with a maximum of three in a lifetime. Applications should be submitted two months before the event and receipts for reimbursement are required. Contact – Carl Gierke

NEWSLETTER - David Paul The Challenge the Outdoors Newsletter is published every two months at the beginning of January, March, May, July, September and November. Questions, please contact David Paul at dcp7576@gmail.com. CTO

BOARD OF DIRECTORS NAME POSITION PHONE E-MAIL

CARL GIERKE PRESIDENT 920-986-3272 cgierke1@outlook.com

RANDY SWILLE VICE PRESIDENT 920-373-8081 randyswille@yahoo.com

JAMES NOOYEN TREASURER 920-246-6497 james.nooyen@homeinstead.com

BARB KAUN SECRETARY 920-720-9689 b.kaun.316@gmail.com

STEVE HARVEY DIRECTOR 920-494-3143 spharleyman57@gmail.com

JIM ADAMOVICH DIRECTOR 920-722-2090 adamovich0208@yahoo.com

FRED KAUN DIRECTOR 920-720-9689 fkaun@me.com

SHARON LEFEVRE DIRECTOR 920-615-2356 bookmom53@gmail.com

KEITH PAMPERIN DIRECTOR 920-494-3990 kjpamperin@aol.com

DAVID PAUL DIRECTOR 920-740-2775 dcp7576@gmail.com

ANNE ATNIP DIRECTOR 920-606-5864 suamicoanne@gmail.com

DEBI DELIE DIRECTOR 715-305-5687 ddelie@frontier.com

BILL MAYVILLE ASSOCIATE DIR. 715-758-8363 bill.mayville@yahoo.com

BRIAN HESS ASSOCIATE DIR. 920-864-7954 abhess@centurytel.net

STEVE NOOYEN ASSOCIATE DIR. 920-621-2827 snooyen@homeinstead.com

TAMMY MCFAUL KRITZ ASSOCIATE DIR. 920-527-0696 dantam2006@sbcglobal.net

MARK BAEHR ASSOCIATE DIR. 920-766-9218 baehrm@sbcglobal.net

PAT NIEUWENHUIS ASSOCIATE DIR 920-687-8707 nubby009@aol.com

Check calendar on website @ www.ctoforme.org for other events. Click on the date for more information about events in the newsletter.

Contacts: J&H Game Farm, Dianne 715-758-8134

Steve Harvey- 920-494-3143 Brian Hess 920-864-7954

Sharon LeFevre 920-615-2356 Roger Urmanski 920-468-8872

Carl Gierke 920-986-3272 Barb Kaun 920-720-9689

David Paul 920-740-2775 Chris Savka- 920-470-1279

Tommy Narmore- 920-410-4436 Randy Swille 920-373-8081

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE APRIL 1st CTO SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT AND THE APRIL 15TH MWR FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER IS LISTED BELOW(PLEASE PRINT AND DISPLAY POSTERS IF YOU’D LIKE)

Challenge the Outdoors, Inc.

25 th ANNUAL SPORTING CLAYSFUNDRAISER

Saturday, April 1, 2023

8:00 a.m. – 3:00p.m.

Registration ends 2:30 p.m.; raffle draw3p.m.

J&H Game Farm - HWY 156 (1.5 milesWest of Navarino) $30 for 50 Targets - Shoot again for $20

2 COURSES (handicapped accessible) --- 6 LEWIS CLASS PRIZES

Eye & Hearing protection recommended

Plan to bring your own shells or call J&H (715.758.8134) for availability

Lunch served from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Brats, Hot Dogs, Chips)

Main RaffleTickets also sold at the Fundraiser

1 for $5 - - 3 for $10 - - 10 for $20

“Bucket” Raffle items displayed (tickets sold only at the event)

$500.00 Cash Prize: Challenge The Outdoors, Inc .

Winchester SXP 12 ga. Shotgun: Virlee Gun Works, New Franken

Ruger .270 Win.: Shadows on the Wolf, Shiocton

Hatfield SAS12 ga. Shotgun: Wolf River Asphalt, Shiocton

Taurus TX .22 cal. Pistol: Damn Yankees, Hortonville

One night stay w/ pool passes: Country Inn & Suites, Little Chute

Hand-crafted Wooden Glider/ Chair: Mike Shulze, CTO Member

Thompson/ Center .50 cal. Muzzleloader: Challenge The Outdoors, Inc .

Vexilar FL-8SEIce Fishing Sonar Unit: Shioc ton Business League

Winchester SXP 12 ga. Shotgun: Darryell Figlinski, CTO Member

Rods & Reels: Black Creek, Grand Chute, Shiocton, Seymour Lions Clubs

C.T.O. Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, dedicated to serving the recreational needs and desires of the physically challenged sportsperson.

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