Challenge The Outdoors, Inc

 Welcome to Challenge the Outdoors, Inc.

November 2017 NEWSLETTER

www.ctoforme.org

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Carl Gierke As 2017 winds down, it’s fun to look back at the events of the past year and reflect on what CTO has accomplished. Once again, there have been countless hours of fishing, hunting, and fun provided for our members. Fishing events included Shawano Lake, two Chasing Rainbows events, and Lake Michigan. Hunting events included the Spring Turkey Hunt, two Pheasant Hunts, and the Deer Hunt. “Other” events included the Archery Shoot, the Annual Recognition Banquet, Timber Rattlers Baseball Game, End of Summer Picnic at Outagamie Conservation Club, Shoot till You Drop, Tuesday Shooting at J&H, Christmas Party, and our Sporting Clay Shoot/Fundraiser. We also added some new events such as the boat tour of Horicon Marsh and Zip-Lining at the NEW Zoo in Green Bay. There’s obviously no shortage of things to choose from. You’ve probably already realized that these events don’t happen by themselves and often take considerable planning and time to organize and complete. The events are great examples of teamwork and people unselfishly donating their time and expertise to provide opportunities for disabled sportsmen and women. Members, volunteers, the Board of Directors, Committee Leaders, donors, landowners, and many others pitch in to make our events happen. We couldn’t do it without all the wonderful help, and I just want to thank all those who contribute to the success of our events and making this a wonderful organization that focuses on people’s abilities, not disabilities. As I’ve already noted, we have a lot of great events, but we’re always looking for ways to make our events and organization better. That’s where you come in. If you see some way that we can improve things, please speak up, volunteer, or get involved in some way. CTO isn’t only about getting out and doing things – it’s also about meeting people and making friends. So enjoy what we have to offer, get involved, and bring a disabled or able-bodied friend along to an event some time so they can see what we’re all about. Here’s hoping you all enjoy your hunting and fishing this fall and have a safe and happy holiday season with your family and friends.

DEER HUNT 2017 – Carl Gierke The deer hunt that was held this year on October 7-15, was originally started back in 1998 and is the event that got CTO started. Every year it seems to grow a little and is a great example of the teamwork that is involved in putting together an event of this size. Committees and individuals line up hunters, places to hunt, food, assistants, and equipment. The generosity of people volunteering their time and assistance is nothing short of amazing and provides hunters an opportunity to take advantage of the Deer Hunt for Disabled Hunters that is offered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources every year during the first week in October. Pat Nieuwenhuis of CTO handles many of the hunter and landowner contacts required by the DNR and a big thank you to him for all his hard work. On the morning of Saturday October 7th, we met at the Lessor Town Hall in beautiful downtown Landstadt to inform hunters of the hunt guidelines and regulations, and of course enjoy some wonderful food. As usual, the folks that prepared and served the meals did an outstanding job. Thanks everybody for the great food and plenty of it! After eating, hunters left to enjoy the afternoon/evening hunt. Hunters were back at it again on Sunday morning and many came in to the Town Hall for breakfast to warm up, have some food, and tell some stories. The hunt continued throughout the week, concluding on Sunday the 15th. This year we had 36 hunters participate and 14 of those bagged deer (six bucks and eight does). CTO’s mentors did a great job of assisting hunters in the woods, helping track, gut, and drag out deer, and making sure the hunters got out of the woods safely after every hunt. One of our hunter-members, Bob Schuh, again shot a deer and Bob wrote an article about his hunt for the Manitowoc newspaper. Thanks Bob for sharing your story - his article is included in this newsletter. I’m always afraid to mention the names of the people involved in the hunt for fear of leaving someone out, but there is never a shortage of compliments about the food and event every year. The efforts and contributions of the organizers, kitchen staff, mentors, landowners, and others are so important in making this a successful event and your efforts are so greatly appreciated. Thanks to all -we look forward to doing it again next year!!!

HOW TO PLACE EVENTS ON THE CTO CALENDAR If anyone has an event that isn't on CTOs calendar or needs updated information, please email Cliff at deb57ncliff55@gmail.com with that information and I will update the calendar. Please visit http://www.ctoforme.org/calendar.htm, to view CTOs calendar.

FOR SALE-ACORN CHAIRLIFT-the maximum number of steps on this unit is 15 but can be adjusted to whatever your needs are. Everything is included except installation. Installation is very simple. $1,300.00 Call Gary Vanden Heuvel @ 920-205-2758

WHEEL CHAIR AND HANDICAP TRANSPORTION SOLUTIONS If you are in need of a vehicle that can transport individuals who are in a wheel chair or handicapped, please consider these two companies that serve our area. If you check out their website or give them a call, they can answer your questions for you and possibly get you out of the house and rolling along Wisconsin’s scenic highways. • A&J Mobility, Phone, 800-596-4366, Website, www.aandjmobility.com/wheelchair-van-rental • Wheelchair Getaways of Wisconsin, Phone,800-642-2042, Website, www.wheelchairgetaways.com

FALL PHEASANT HUNT- Jim Adamovich On Sunday October 22, 2017 eighteen hunters came to the fall pheasant hunt and nineteen helpers. Every hunter received two pheasants to take home. J&H made a great meal for all to enjoy. We had rainy weather and everyone still had a great time. Thanks to all who helped and especially John Krumrei, Matt Ernst for the use of his ATV and Alex Wegner who drove it, Bob and Jane Day for the use of the golf cart, Tom Polcin, Carl Gierke and Mike & David Ensrud for the dogs. Thanks also to Tony Gehr and the mentors that assisted hunters. Thank you to John Kempen for the shells. I hope to see everyone again when we have the spring hunt at J &H Game Farm on March 4, 2018.

OUTAGAMIE CONSERVATION CLUB “END OF SUMMER” GATHERING - Rita Adamovich September 16 was a very nice sunny day and we had forty CTO members and Outagamie Conservation Club had six of their member helping us. Some of us enjoyed fishing, some pistol shooting, trap shooting and the best was just visiting with one another and enjoying a great day in the outdoors. Brats, hot dogs, hamburgers were enjoyed plus the many dishes to pass that everyone brought. We are planning to do this again next year and hope many of our other members can join us.

SCOPING THE GREAT OUTDOORS- Bob Schuh Saturday, Oct. 7 was opening day for Wisconsin’s deer hunt for disabled hunters. I’m a member of Challenge the Outdoors (CTO) which sponsors one of Wisconsin’s disabled hunts with some 2800 acres of land signed up for the hunt. Much of the land is in Shawano County and I hunted on a farm near Bonduel. Mid-morning of opening day we found ourselves at the Lesser Town Hall for a brunch and hunters meeting. They had enough food to feed an army, prepared by volunteer’s that really know how to cook, and everyone was stuffed by the time they were finished. After our hunters meeting we were taken to our stands that had been set for us to meet any needs the disabled person might have to deal with. It was noon when we started hunting and I had my brother, Rick, behind me to help spot and line me up for any shot that might come. At 2:30 p.m. Rick spotted movement with the field glasses and had me get ready. The deer had no clue we were in the stand and moved very slowly eating as it went. We watched for 15 minutes before the deer went toward a pond in the woods. When the deer got to the water’s edge it gave me a clear shot. The 180 grain Accu-Bond bullet from my Savage 30.06 was perfectly placed, flipping the deer into the water with a splash. The doe never moved after that as it was lights out. Other CTO hunters also had success opening day as we took one small buck and three does. Checking in with CTO president, Carl Gierke, mid-week, he tells me that the 34 hunters have now taken ten deer, four bucks and six does. CTO offers disabled outdoorsmen and women hunting, fishing, shooting adventures and more throughout the year. We are an active group of outdoor enthusiasts so check out ctoforme.org for details on our 3 activities and membership options.

HIGHLIGHTS OF RECENT BOARD MEETINGS - Tammy Kritz

AUGUST 1. Ivan Craig has resigned as a Director. Brian Hess has decided to become an Associate Director. Chuck Duffeck decided not to run for Director again. Doug Thiele was next in line as a Director per the voting. 2. Welcome our New Directors- Fred Kaun, Gary Vanden Heuvel and Doug Thiele. 3. Welcome our Officers: President - Carl Gierke, Vice President - Jim Adamovich, Treasurer - Doug Thiele, Secretary - Tammy Kritz. 4. Our New Sunshine Lady is Tammy Kritz 5. The Banquet and Meeting was a great success once again this year as 170 people attended. Thank you again to all involved for your dedication and team work to make this such a wonderful event for everyone.

SEPTEMBER 1.The Pontoon boat is being worked on by Doug and Ryan Thiele. They are restoring our boat with new wiring and switches. 2.Our bank in Shiocton closed so we will now be banking at Community First. 3. Our meeting dates for the Board of Directors will be at The American Legion Post 38, 3220 W. College Ave. Appleton, Wi. as of October. All members are welcome to attend. 4.An Inventory/Assets list has been started by Rita Adamovich and Tammy Kritz. If you have an item that belongs to CTO, please provide them with the serial numbers, the type of item, and where you are storing it for CTO.

DEADLY REMINGTON RIFLE RECALL-David Paul During this past deer hunting season, my Model 700, bolt action rifle discharged while I was holding my rifle in my hands, but I had not engaged the trigger. I was relieved and grateful that there was no injuries or property damage. Two weeks later, while at the sporting good’s counter at Fleet Farm, I came across a recall bulletin for my gun, a Remington 700 bolt action which was made in the 1980’s. I then followed the instructions that Remington provided by checking their website. I discovered my gun’s trigger system was recalled. It is currently being repaired free of charge. It was shipped to Remington and I expect it back in about three months. If you own a Remington gun listed below, I urge you to go to their website and check your serial number. Their website is: www.remingtonfirearmsclassactionsettlement.com. I consider myself very fortunate that no one was injured in my gun misfiring. As gun owners, it is our responsibility to make sure the weapons we are using are safe for ourselves as well as for our hunting colleagues. If you need more details, feel free to contact me at 920-740-2775. Since I published this article last year, 60 Minutes aired a special on this recall as there have been accidental deaths associated with these guns. • Current owners of Remington Model 700, Seven, Sportsman 78, 673, 710, 715, 770, 600, 660, XP-100, 721, 722, and 725 firearms containing a Remington trigger mechanism that utilizes a trigger connector; • Current owners of Remington Model 700 and Model Seven rifles containing an X-Mark Pro trigger mechanism manufactured from May 1, 2006 to April 9, 2014 who did not participate in the voluntary X-Mark Pro product recall prior to April 14, 2015; and • Current and former owners of Remington Model 700 and Model Seven rifles who replaced their rifle’s original Walker trigger mechanism with an X-Mark Pro trigger mechanism.

YOUTH AND LADIES DAY AT J&H GAME FARM – Carl Gierke On September 6th, CTO once again participated in the annual Youth and Ladies Day at J&H by providing Rainbow Trout for the fish pond. Thanks to Cliff Pheiffer for organizing the event on behalf of CTO and the members and friends who helped with baiting hooks, removing hooked fish, untangling fishing lines, and 4 cleaning and packaging fish that were caught. It’s always fun to see the excited looks on kids (and ladies) faces when they pull out their fish – many for the first time. It’s often difficult for kids to carry the “slimy” fish over to the cleaning station, but we always find a way. Many of us encourage the kids to put them in their pockets, but we never get anyone that thinks that’s a good idea – huh!. Thanks to the many folks that help make this a fun event for kids, ladies, and CTO members.