Welcome to Challenge the Outdoors, Inc.
NOVEMBER 2018 NEWSLETTER
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Carl Gierke
By the time you read this, our event schedule will be winding down, with the November 4th pheasant hunt being one of the last events of the year. It’s been a fun and rewarding year helping our members get out to hunt, fish, and socialize and enjoy some of the recreational opportunities Wisconsin has to offer. We’ve all had the chance to meet some new people and make some new friends – certainly one of the things I enjoy most about CTO. There have been people involved in this organization for years that just keep pitching in, but it’s also great to see so many new people get involved that keep improving CTO, whether its serving on the Board of Directors or a committee, giving rides or assistance to members that need a little help, baiting a hook, fundraising, recruiting new members, or just being there to support each other – it all means a lot! CTO makes a difference in people’s lives because of all the little things that you contribute and you should be so proud of that.
The many new faces that have joined CTO have brought fresh ideas, energy and talents to the organization that will help it not only survive, but also thrive, in the future. Please don’t be afraid to point out things we can improve on, or if you have ideas or talents to contribute, let us know. Everyone has personal, technical, outdoor and other skills they’ve acquired over the years and sharing those with an organization like CTO is a great way to “give back” and help someone else benefit from your generosity and knowledge. If you’d like to help, we’d love to have you. To those of you who are already helping – thanks so much!
DEER HUNT 2018 – Carl Gierke
CTO’s deer hunt was its first event back in 1998, making this our 21st year. This year’s event was held October 6th – 14th, using the Lessor Town Hall in beautiful downtown Landstad as our headquarters. The CTO event is offered to provide individuals an opportunity to take advantage of the deer hunt for disabled hunters offered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources each year beginning the first weekend in October. CTO arranges for land to be enrolled in the hunt, registers hunters, sets up hunting tents, provides assistance to hunters (if needed) and cooks up a great feast on the opening Saturday and Sunday.
On the morning of Saturday, October 6th a magnificent breakfast was prepared for hunters, helpers and landowners by our expert food crew and after appetites were satisfied and a few hunting stories told, a meeting was held to inform hunters of where they’d be hunting, safety rules, hunting regulations, and mentors and emergency contacts. Hunters then had the opportunity to head out in the field or stick around and enjoy telling some more stories with other CTO members. Hunters were back at the Lessor Town Hall again on Sunday morning for another bountiful breakfast and a chance to tell others about what they saw the day before. The hunt continued throughout the week with help from CTO mentors, concluding on Sunday the 14th.
This year we had 34 hunters participate and 15 of them bagged deer (10 does and 5 bucks). CTO mentors did a great job of assisting hunters in the woods, helping track, field dress, and drag out deer and making sure the hunters got out of the woods safely after every hunt. All this was even trickier this year, considering all the rain we had prior to and during the hunt. A big thanks to the mentors on a job well done!
I’m always afraid to mention the names of the individuals involved in the various phases of this event for fear of leaving someone out, but there many, many people to thank. Pat Nieuwenhuis of CTO handles many of the hunter and landowner contacts required by DNR, with help from Dave Paul, and we thank them for all their hard work. Our food crew always provides a tremendous two-day feast and the compliments are never-ending. Riesterer and Schnell provided us with Gators to use in the field and, of course, we couldn’t pull this off without the generosity of the landowners providing our hunters with great places to hunt. The efforts and contributions of these folks and others are so important in making this a successful event and your help is so greatly appreciated. Thanks to everyone that pitched in – we look forward to doing it again next year!
REMINGTON RECALL – Carl Gierke
Remington Arms Company is voluntarily recalling nearly 8 million Remington Model 700 and Model Seven rifles. Remington had recalled rifles which were manufactured from May 1, 2006 through April 9, 2014 and have an X-Mark Pro trigger. The latest recall would include Model 700s produced since 1962 and the Model 7 produced since 1983. These guns could accidentally discharge due to the faulty trigger mechanism and you are asked not to use them. If you own a rifle subject to recall, Remington will provide shipping, inspection, and replacement of the trigger, if necessary, at no cost to the owner. To take advantage of the recall, call Remington’s toll-free hotline (1-800-243-9700) and provide them with your name, address, phone number and serial number of your rifle.
SENIOR SAFARI TROLLEY TOUR AT NAVARINO NATURE CENTER- Tammy Kritz
On Wednesday, October 17th, twenty members of CTO enjoyed the beautiful Fall colors and surroundings of the Navarino Nature Center and some of their 15,000-acre wildlife area. The trolley ride was narrated by the wonderful staff which added a very personal, educational and friendly touch to our entire experience There was a "Chill" in the air with a bit of a breeze, but as great outdoors people we love an adventure! Everyone enjoyed the sub sandwiches, chips, and homemade cookies. Congratulations to Deb Nighbor for winning the raffle prize!
CTO Board of Directors Meeting Highlights June, July, August and September – Barb Kaun
* Empty medication bottles can be brought to a board meeting and given to Pat Nieuwenhuis. They will be sent to Gates Foundation.
* 2007 Cargo trailer insurance payment used to purchase a 12 x 6 ft aluminum trailer; Insurance payment for 2004 hunting trailer will be used to repair it.
* The Board of Directors voted Barb Kaun in as a director to fill vacant position. The following are willing to serve as listed: Carl Gierke as President, Jim Adamovich as Vice President, Barb Kaun as Secretary, and James Nooyen as Treasurer.
* A revised Expense Report is available to all committees
* New CTO banner is available for display table at sporting shows.
* $165 received as memorial for Peter Provenzale
* Waiting list for those interested in 2019 bear hunt tags will be compiled. Contact Keith Pamperin if interested.
* Fundraiser at Hu Hot in Oshkosh on January 2, 2019, contact Tammy Kritz for details
* $650 received as memorial for Rita Adamovich
* $700 donation from Clearwater Papers, Neenah made possible by Don “Uppy” Uphill.
* Waiting list for those interested in 2019 pheasant hunt at Triple J Wing will be compiled. Contact Keith Pamperin if interested.
* Until further notice, Board meetings will be held on the second Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at American Legion Post 38 in Appleton
Check calendar @ www.ctoforme.org for other dates. Click on the date for more information about these events in the newsletter.
Contacts: Cliff Pheifer- 715-412-1707
Pat Nieuwenhuis-920-687-8707
Tammy Kritz- 920-527-0696
Jim Adamovich 920-722-2090
J&H Game Farm 715-758-8134
Carl Gierke 920-986-3272
Keith Hartjes 920-540-3416
J&H Game farm- 715-758-8134
Karen Baehr- 920-766-9218
Deb Pheifer 920-412-4162