Challenge The Outdoors, Inc

 WELCOME TO CHALLENGE THE OUTDOORS, INC.

November 2021 NEWSLETTER

www.ctoforme.org

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Carl Gierke

It’s been fun holding events again after a year of cancellations and quarantines, but CTO folks found a way to get it done, in spite of the special circumstances that a pandemic through at us. Events required a lot of planning and consideration of things like social distancing and food preparation and handling, but event coordinators, volunteers and participants all pitched in to make events fun, safe and successful. Thanks to everyone that contributed to the success of these events and hopefully life will be simpler next year. In addition to being a year of getting reacquainted with many CTO friends, it’s been a year of welcoming many new members and friends with a variety of interests, including many that have offered their expertise, energy, and knowledge to help CTO members function within and outside the organization. The power of sharing experiences, assistance, hardships, and friendships is a big part of what CTO is all about and it’s gratifying to see people want to continue the many traditions that CTO has created. Your involvement at an event, in a board meeting, assisting someone, or just providing moral support may seem minor, but is often much more important than you might think, providing inspiration and opportunity to others in ways that may not be apparent at the time. Again, thank you all for your contributions, no matter how large or small, as we look forward to next year. Speaking of next year, an exciting new chapter is about to begin within CTO. On September 28th, groundbreaking occurred on CTO’s new clubhouse and property near Angelica, about halfway between Green Bay and Shawano off Highway 29. Known as Peter’s Pond in honor of Peter Lathrop and his dad Bob, who were long-time, dedicated CTO members, the construction will hopefully be completed sometime next summer. Steve Nooyen, who has been a part of CTO for many years, has graciously donated the property and financing for construction of the clubhouse and is overseeing the project. The property will provide CTO with a long-term home and provide many opportunities for members to fish, socialize and enjoy the property. Thanks so much Steve, for your commitment to CTO! As 2021 winds down along with the number of CTO events, I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season and 2022 and I hope your hunting and fishing seasons are safe and successful. Many of the events for next year are already on the calendar in this newsletter, so check them out and I hope we see you at many of them!

HEAR YE, HEAR YE! – Barb Kaun

Planning for the April 2, 2022 Annual Sporting Clay Fundraiser will begin in December when we acquire higher priced main ticket prizes such as fishing or hunting trips, guns, club memberships, or sporting equipment. Now is the time to think about where you can best volunteer. Volunteer to set-up on Friday, April 1, 2022, or on April 2nd to register shooters, serve food to shooters and volunteers, sell bucket raffle tickets, help to record raffle prize winners during the drawing, 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, at their leisure, sell main raffle tickets prior to the event or obtain prizes for the raffles. There’s something for every member to do. Contact Barb Kaun at (920) 720-9689 to be a part of the excitement of the 2022 Sporting Clay Fundraiser.

RECAP OF RECENT EVENTS YOUTH AND LADIES DAY AT J&H – Carl Gierke

September 11th marked J&H game farm’s annual Youth and Ladies Day, which encourages youngsters and women to get out and enjoy the many hunting, fishing and recreational opportunities that Wisconsin has to offer. CTO once again purchased trout to be caught by the folks attending and supervised the trout tank. We had many wonderful volunteers that helped kids and ladies bait hooks, remove caught fish and clean and ice fish. There are always a lot of smiles on the faces of the fisher”men” and the helpers alike, as watching a screaming kid or lady pull out a flopping trout can’t help but make you grin. Consider helping out if you haven’t before – it’s a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone at J&H for hosting the event and for their help, to Keith Hartjes for organizing the event for CTO and to the many volunteers who did a great job!

SHOOT YOUR CHOICE - Randy Swille & Steve Harvey

The weather was perfect and we had a great turnout on August 29th for the first time of this event. We had 17 members sign up to shoot and two visiting members. Our participants were a mix of some of the past Sporting Clays shooters and new Sunday participants. Members had a chance to try different shooting courses; some for their first times. Members could choose the 5-stand wobble, Skeet, Wobble, and Sporting Clays; each member had 50 shells to shoot. One member brought extra to shoot the wobble that five of us enjoyed. These options were perfect for members who could not travel very far. Everyone had a great time. When the shooting was done members gathered inside to share their stories and friendly conversation. Dianne and Steve from J & H really went out of their way to put out a delicious and plentiful meal. It was all you could eat of fresh fries, fish, cold slaw, potato salad, pickles and cake for dessert. Randy and I would like to thank CTO and J & H for supporting us in the opportunity to put on this event. We would also like to thank all of the participants and our shooter helper volunteers and visitor guests.

OCC END OF SUMMER PARTY - Chris Savka

On September 26th the Outagamie Conservation Club co-hosted our End Of Summer Party as they provided volunteers and activities for 36 of our members in attendance. We had a gorgeous day with temperatures in the 70’s and sunny. Members went trap shooting, fishing and pistol shooting. Thank you to all the volunteers that helped at the event. Mark your calendar for next year's end of summer outing as it will be on Saturday September 17th, 2022.

SCOPING THE GREAT OUTDOORS - Bob Schuh

Each year the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a sponsored deer hunt for persons with disabilities. The hunt starts the first Saturday in October and runs for nine days, Oct. 2 through 10 this year. Challenge The Outdoors is one of the organizations that sponsors the hunt. I took part in the hunt, but on Oct. 2 and 3 the rain was making the hunt very challenging and soggy for the ones that chose to hunt. As always, the first day started with a brunch consisting of scrambled eggs, sausages, ham, meat loaf, cheesy hash browns, desserts and much more. After our safety meeting and introducing new hunters to their helpers and landowners, we were ready to battle the elements. All hunters were given a lunch bag with two sub sandwiches, cookie, chips, and an apple to take with them on their hunt. I was in my typical deer stand near Bonduel which has a roof overhead, so it wasn’t bad except for the rain that splashed in through the window. I hunted five days and all we saw was a silhouette of a deer on the trail while we were walking out but that was after shooting hours. This year 34 hunters took part in the CTO deer hunt but with all the rain deer held tight and only four deer, one buck and three does were taken. Don Binsfield shot the only buck, a nice six pointer, that he killed on some newly acquired land by CTO in Manitowoc County, while the other three were all does. All we can hope for is better weather for next year’s hunt. The only sure thing about this hunt is that the cooks will never let you go away hungry as they surely put out a spread fit for a king. Check out www.ctoforme.org for all the activities of the organization. (Caption for photo provided by CTO) Don Binsfield shows the six-point buck he killed during the Wisconsin DNR deer hunt for disabled hunters. Don shot his buck on some newly acquired land by CTO in Manitowoc County on the second day of the hunt.

DISABLED DEER HUNT October 2-10 - David Paul

We were greeted once again with an outstanding breakfast and packed lunches on Saturday and Sunday by our food committee headed up by Chris and James Savka. This year was some of the hottest and stickiest weather for the deer hunt with a little rain and a huge hatch of mosquitoes. Needless to say these conditions were a detriment to the hunter’s success throughout the week and then we had 3–4 days of swirling Easterly winds that added to an already challenged hunt. There were 38 hunters who were signed up for this hunt and 34 of these hunters hit the woods on Saturday afternoon. To my knowledge here is a list of hunters who bagged a deer this year. Don Binsfield- 6-point buck, Joe Palmer, Randy and Darwin Swille and Gary Thyes all bagged a doe. Many hunters passed up shots as they were hoping for a trophy this year but as many hunter’s stated, “ It isn’t about bagging a deer, it is about getting outdoors and enjoying nature, and if I bag a deer, that is a bonus.” I would like to Thank the following helpers in the field this year. Randy Hartlaben, (Chouse), Randy King, Carl Gierke, Tony Gehr, Don Uphill, Cody Owen, Brian Wendt, Mike Shulze, Joe Palmer, Bill Mayville, Greg Sauer and Alex Wagner. This hunt would not be possible without the generous donations of the use of their land by the area landowners. CTO would like to Thank You for this opportunity to utilize your property again next year. The Deer Hunting Committee will be looking at possibly making some changes for next year’s hunt so be looking for those changes in the future newsletters. Any suggestions from hunters or other members are always welcome so please drop me a line. I would like to take this opportunity to let all of our hunters know that the Wisconsin DNR sets the calendar for our hunt and it is always the first full weekend in October.

TROLLEY TOUR OF NAVARINO WILDLIFE AREA – Carl Gierke

On Wednesday, October 13th CTO sponsored its annual trolley ride through the Navarino Wildlife Area, which was attended by 14 CTO members and friends. The tour meandered through the ridges and lowlands around the Pikes Peak and McDonald Flowages and was narrated by Tim Ewing, director of the nature center. Tim provided a wealth of interesting and educational information about the history, management, vegetation and wildlife of the area while we enjoyed looking at the fall colors, sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans and many other critters. It was a beautiful day to enjoy the sights and sounds of the area and hardly a mosquito was seen. After the tour, we enjoyed sub sandwiches prepared by Barb Kaun and she also engaged us in a trivia contest and several prizes were awarded. Thanks Barb!! We schedule this event in the fall so members can enjoy the colors yet avoid mosquitos and it’s a great way to spend a fall day.

FALL PHEASANT HUNT – Carl Gierke

On Sunday, October 24th a combination of helpful volunteers and CTO hunters eager to bag a pheasant or two met at J&H game farm near Navarino for our fall pheasant hunt. Hunters headed out in groups of two accompanied by dog handlers and UTV drivers. Each hunter had a chance to shoot at least two birds and take two cleaned pheasants home. After hunting, we all enjoyed a great meal prepared by the fine folks at J&H and got to share a few stories about the day’s hits and misses. Some of the highlights of the day included Lauri DuBord shooting two pheasants (with a little help from John Krumrey) and the excellent work of dogs owned by Roger Hanson and Liz Paape. Many thanks to John, Roger and Liz for all their help, John Gray for assisting as a back-up shooter and Matt Ernst for recruiting helpers and letting us use his UTV for the hunt. Thanks also to the many CTO helpers and family members that assisted and to Diane, Steve, JoAnn and everyone at J&H for the wonderful food and making sure everything ran smoothly. Next year’s hunts are again planned for March and October.

ALASKAN FISHING TRIP- Joe Palmer

I am one lucky guy as my sons took me fishing to Ketchikan, Alaska this summer. We stayed at Salmon Falls Resort which was an all-inclusive package that included three days of fishing with a guide and all meals included. They do have accommodations for wheelchair users for bathrooms although you may want your own shower chair. Day one our guide, Will, took us about two hours by boat to a spot to fish. We started out with three lines in the water and in less than five minutes we had six Coho’s in the boat and a limit of 18 in the first four hours. I never had this much excitement in my life, each day built on the last one. We ended up with 200 pounds of filets to take home. If you can go, I recommend this place to you. Food was great, staff was helpful, and the views were out of this world.

BLACK BEAR HUNT EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME – Keith Pamperin

In the fall of 2020 Joe Kalmon, Wisconsin Black Bear Guide Service out of Mellon, WI contacted Challenge the Outdoors indicating he would donate a black bear hunt to a disabled CTO member with a bear tag for 2021. Fortunately, I had been applying for preference points for eight years. I applied for a bear tag for zone A in November 2020 and was awarded a tag. I made the connection with Joe Kalmon and the hunt was planned. I asked Carl Gierke to join me to help with driving and gear! We arrived at Camp the night before the hunt, met the fellow hunters and volunteers, and discussed the process and expectations of the hunt. The first day we enjoyed the antics of a big fox squirrel and pileated woodpecker, but no bear! Three bear were harvested that day, and expectations were rising! Carl joked that “he did not need to outrun the bear” so another hunter gave me a large zip tie to tie Carl’s legs together! All in fun! The second day after a two hour watch a bear appeared! He paused for about three minutes before walking between us and the bait station! This gave me a good indication that it was not with cubs and showed that his shoulders were over the bait stump indicating a shootable bear! Without hesitation my .308 rifle barked and the bear was down! For a 76 year-old disabled guy this was truly a hunt of a lifetime! It would not have happened without our Lord providing the beautiful bear, my membership in CTO and the generosity of Joe Kalmon and his Wisconsin Black Bear Guide Service. I hope more CTO members get to enjoy such an experience in the future!

NON-EVENT INFORMATION SHOTGUNS NEEDED- David Paul

CTO is in need of two 20-gauge shotguns that we would like to acquire for the gun deer hunt we hold each fall. We will be placing laser sites on these guns for our blind deer hunters to use each year. If you would like to donate a gun of this style it would be very much appreciated. CTO would also be interested in purchasing used shotguns of this style as well.

Please contact me by phone at 920-740-2775 or email, dcp7576@gmail.com

MENTORS & DRIVERS NEEDED - Randy Swille & Steve Harvey

The Event Committee is looking for any members or volunteers that would be willing to transport and mentor some of our members that cannot drive. Please call us if you would be willing to transport and mentor. Randy Swille 920-373-8081, Steve Harvey 920-494-3143

ATTENTION THRIVENT MEMBERS! - Barb Kaun

In the past, Challenge the Outdoors, Inc. has been the recipient of your Thrivent Choice Dollars. Thrivent will pay up to $300,000 in online processing fees per calendar year for personal donations made through Thrivent's online giving platform. Visit the following link https://service.thrivent.com/apps/ThriventChoiceMemberWeb/public/organizationSearchResults or call 1-800-847- 4836 to get personal assistance in donating your Choice dollars to benefit our current programs and help in future projects. Please consider CTO as the recipient of those donations.

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 – Jim Adamovich

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 – Pat Nieuwenhuis.

3) Field Grants – Supplements the cost of guided or otherwise expensive 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 – Pat Nieuwenhuis

4) Awards Program - Each year at its annual banquet in July, CTO awards prizes for the biggest deer, turkey and fish of different species that are harvested at, or outside of, CTO events.

These and other awards hopefully encourage members to get out and hunt and fish whenever they have a chance. If you’d like to register an animal for consideration in the awards program, please contact CTO’s awards coordinator, Sharon LeFevre at 920-615-2356 or email at bookmom53@gmail.com. Time frame to submit an entry for an award is from July 1, 2021 thru June 30, 2022.

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 www.bookmom53@gmail.com

NEW MEMBERS - Please welcome the following new members to CTO - Rod Sternhagen Sr. and Family, Michael Londre, Jim Weber, Steve Bautch, Rev. Ed Zahn, and Chris Brandt.

NEWSLETTER - David Paul The Challenge the Outdoors Newsletter is published every two months at the beginning of January, March, May, July, September and November to keep you updated on the status of events. If you know of a member that is not receiving the newsletter, please contact David Paul at 920-740-2775 or dcp7576@gmail.com.

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 key words “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.

MEMBERSHIP FORM ATTACHED - David Paul

You will notice that there is a membership form enclosed with this newsletter. This doesn’t mean that your membership has expired, but you should check to see if you are all paid up just in case. The purpose of attaching the form is to share the form with a friend or family member who might be interested in joining CTO.

CTO BANQUET, JANUARY This is a new event for CTO and what a great way to spend a cold wintry weekend together with friends in a warm and pleasant atmosphere in Appleton. Please take a look at our flyer on the next page. Everyone will receive this knife as a Door Prize!

Challenge The Outdoors, Inc.

Fox Valley Area Banquet

Saturday, January 8, 2022

Grand Meridian, 2621 N Oneida St, Appleton WI 54911

Raffles & Silent Auction – 5:00 P.M. Chicken & Ribs Dinner & Live Auction – 7:00 P.M.

Tickets: $60 each Ticket order deadline – December 31, 2021.

Tickets will NOT be sold at the door. First come, first served.

Challenge The Outdoors, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the recreational needs and desires of the physically challenged sportsperson. - - -

Please print name and address where tickets are to be sent. - -

Mail lower portion to address below. - - -

Name: _______________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________

City: ________________________________________ State: ______ Zip:____________

Phone: (_____) _____-_________

Please send me: Qty Each Total Challenge the Outdoors Dinner Tickets ________ $60

$ ______________ Table Captain Package (10 dinner tickets) ________ $600

$ ______________ Gun/Crossbow (circle one) Sponsor- Cash (with 1 dinner ticket) ________ $250

$ ______________ Merchandise Donation

Call 920-284-6548 Sportsman’s Raffle Packages ________ $100

$ ______________ Make check/money order payable to: Challenge the Outdoors, Inc.

MAIL TO: Jamie Merckx, W2767 Oakridge Ct, Appleton WI 54915

(Credit Card Orders - call 920-284-6548)

QUESTIONS: Call Gary Vanden Heuvel at 920-205-2758 or Jamie Merckx at 920-284-6548 Become a Table Captain $600 Go home with a gun or crossbow! Receive 10 Challenge The Outdoors, Inc. Banquet Dinner Tickets, reserved seating and a Savage Axis Synthetic Rifle or a Wicked Ridge Blackhawk Crossbow Package. Become a Banquet Sponsor Donate $250 cash or $350 in merchandise and receive one dinner ticket and an entry into a Sponsor Only Prize Drawing. Sportsman’s Raffle Package $100 Receive 132 Sportsman’s Raffle Tickets and a Special Gift for early purchase. There will be at least one firearm for every 10 pre-sold Sportsman’s Packages. (Price does not include the dinner ticket). Must be present to win.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION -- Challenge The Outdoors, Inc. 1 or 2

NAME(S): _________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _________________________________________________________________________ CITY: _______________________________________________ STATE: _____

ZIP: ___________ NOTE: Dues are to be paid yearly, in the same month that you joined.

One-Year Individual Membership --------------------- $20

One-Year Family Membership* ------------------------ $30

Lifetime Individual Membership---------------------- $100

Lifetime Family Membership* ------------------------- $150

* Family -- Two Adults-OR-Adult(s) with children under age 19 living at home. A family membership does not extend to the next generation (grandchildren). No age limit or residence restriction applies to the disabled family member(s).

One-Year Sponsorship ------------------------------------ $200 Allows a disabled person of the sponsor's choice, and an assistant (if needed), to attend any available CTO event.

FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS: LIST CHILDREN UNDER 19 YEARS OLD LIVING AT HOME BY NAME, AGE, AND CHECK IF DISABLED.

Check Interests: Hunting __ Fishing __ Boating __ Races __ Sports __ Volunteering __ Other ______________________

Check out our WEBSITE at: www.ctoforme.org Questions or concerns?

Call Challenge The Outdoors, Inc. at 920-593-6300

Revised 20210916-FWK

PLEASE THE BOXES PERTAINING TO YOU

NEW MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP DISABLED MEMBERSHIP

Return this form and dues to:

CHALLENGE THE OUTDOORS, INC.

HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE

901 ANDERSON DRIVE

GREEN BAY, WI 54304

CHECK ONE BOX NAME AGE IF DISABLED NAME AGE IF DISABLED

PHONE (____) ____ - _______ E-MAIL________________________________ -to receive Newsletter

DATE: ____ /____ /________ Please sign below and enter the date at the top of the page.

PLEASE PRINT Include a check or money order made out to: Challenge The Outdoors, Inc.

Do not send cash through the mail. Due to financial need, I request to be considered for a one year sponsored single, disabled membership. Please explain reason

NOTE: By signing this application, you are giving CTO permission to use your picture(s) taken at any of our events for use in our organization's website, advertising, event displays, in newspapers, magazine articles, and in our brochure. No acquired information will be shared, and will only be used by Challenge The Outdoors, Inc.