Challenge The Outdoors, Inc

 WELCOME TO CHALLENGE THE OUTDOORS, INC.

NOVEMBER 2023 NEWSLETTER

www.ctoforme.org

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Carl Gierke

There may be nothing within CTO that exemplifies the spirit of cooperation and teamwork more than our deer hunt. CTO started back in 1998 when a small group of individuals started the organization with the deer hunt as their first event. It has now grown into one of the largest events of its kind in the nation and continues to grow. That doesn’t happen without a lot of people pitching in to make it happen. This year’s hunt provided opportunity for about 40 hunters and included help from landowners, mentors, the Town of Lessor, people putting up and taking down hunting blinds, and our fabulous food crew. In addition, land and hunters had to be registered with the DNR prior to the hunt. It’s quite a juggling act, but Dave Paul did a masterful job choreographing these components into a wonderful event that brought CTO friends and family together to provide many days of fun and hunting opportunity. Dave has additional details on the hunt later in this newsletter, but we thank everyone that was involved on any level for their contributions to making this event another great success! This year’s hunt provided a lot of hunting opportunities and many deer were harvested, but maybe even a bigger measure of success is that it was a very safe hunt, hunters generally took good shots and made clean kills, and the wishes of landowners were respected. The combination of these things allows us to not only continue, but grow our hunt by continuing good relationships with landowners. Just as an upset landowner can quickly close the door on future opportunities, a happy landowner whose wishes have been respected can spread the good news about our organization and open the door for future opportunities. Thanks to the many hunters and mentors for respecting the wishes of the participating landowners, as well as CTO’s guidelines, and making this a safe and successful hunt! As we get farther into this year’s hunting season, please continue to keep safety in mind when you’re out in the field, continue to honor the wishes of landowners, and respect the natural resources and wildlife we are blessed with in Wisconsin. Just as these things reflect on you and CTO during our hunts, these things are a reflection on you as an individual when you’re out in the field. Good luck this fall!

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

1ST ANNUAL FUNDRAISING BANQUET FOR CHALLENGE THE OUTDOORS INC.- Sharon LeFevre

This will be held at Stadium View in Green Bay on Saturday, January 27, 2024. We are in need of volunteers for that day, as well as members to get items for the silent auction and prizes for the event. If you are able to help in any way, please contact Sharon LeFevre at 920-615-2356 or at bookmom53@gmail.com. I have the form available for donations from businesses or if you have items you would like to donate. Please contact me if you need the form. There is also a poster at the end of this newsletter, in case you’d like to keep one on hand and/or post one in your favorite business. This is your club so please help in whatever way you can to make this a success. There will be tables available to purchase in November for the event. If this is something you or your friends are interested in please send questions to me as well. Please note that the funds raised at this event will be used for all future needs of the organization including current events we put on yearly. An event brochure is attached at the end of the newsletter.

EASTERSEALS WEBSITE - Recreational opportunities list for youth and young adults with disabilities that is maintained by Easterseals Disability Helpline Serving Outagamie County found at https://edu.eastersealswisconsin.com/disabilityhelpline-of-outagamie-county/

SPRING TURKEY HUNT- Tom Narmore

This coming May, CTO is teaming up with Shadows on the Wolf for a spring turkey hunt for our disabled members. We are able to take ten hunters and the hunt will be May 17th-19th. Lodging for the hunt will be provided at the Christus Memorial Church Camp located just outside of Clintonville. Food will be provided throughout the hunt; however, we will be doing a potluck dinner on Saturday afternoon. The main course will be provided by CTO (further food details to come). Since we are limited on the number of participants, we will be giving first preference to those who have never turkey hunted. Members who have never harvested a turkey will be getting second preference. If we have less than 10 hunters, then any disabled member can sign up. You have the option of applying for a tag (Zone 3, Period E) before December 10th. However, we recommend that you wait to make sure that you are selected for the hunt and then purchase a tag over the counter sometime towards the end of March 2024. Please keep in mind CTO guidelines for this event apply that if you sign up and don't show up, or don't contact me in a reasonable amount of time with a reasonable excuse, you will not be able to attend this event the following year. If you think you might need help with anything personal please bring your own helper who is welcome to stay and eat. If you wish to sign up for this event or have any questions, please contact Tom Narmore from January 15th to March 1st, 2024, but you must sign up by March 1st. My phone 920-410-4436, email narmore1988@yahoo.com.

RECAP OF RECENT EVENTS SHAWANO LAKE PONTOON - David Paul

The pontoon was used 29 times from the middle of May until September 15th. The Cecil Park where our boat is kept in a slip experienced some theft over the summer. Unfortunately we were victims of having our gas tanks stolen off of the boat and others had their wiring cut and had batteries stolen. Our gas cans now have chains on them with padlocks. The value of the gas taken is estimated at $75. Authorities were notified of the theft and although they have an idea who is behind this, catching them is another story. Bill Mayville donated two gas tanks to CTO and a Shawano Teacher, William Bloesl, heard about our ordeal and donated another gas tank to CTO. Thanks to these individuals and their families for stepping up. I believe it was a great summer of boating and I am looking forward to next spring when we get to put our pontoon back in Shawano Lake.

YOUTH AND LADIES DAY AT J&H – Carl Gierke

September 9th 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 CTO members and friends supervised the trout tank. We had many wonderful volunteers that helped kids and ladies bait hooks and then unhook, clean, and ice fish. There are always a lot of smiles on the faces of those that fished 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 in the future if you haven’t before – it’s a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone at J&H for organizing and hosting the event and to the many CTO volunteers who did a great job!

END OF SUMMER OUTING AT OUTAGAMIE CONSERVATION CLUB- Barb Kaun

What a day, filled with sunshine, fishing, trap shooting, pistol range, archery all available thanks to our friends at Outagamie Conservation Club on September 16th. Three volunteers, led by member Karen Konshak, mentored us in Frisbee golf and yard Yahtzee. The 35 members who attended enjoyed great food and fellowship.

FALL PHEASANT HUNT- Carl Gierke

On Sunday, October 22nd a combination of helpful volunteers and CTO hunters eager to bag a pheasant or two met at J&H game farm 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 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 highlights of the day included the excellent work of dogs owned and/or handled by Roger Hanson, Joe Wesloski, Mike Clegg, Kirk DeCramer and Gary Fontaine. Many thanks to them, John Krumrey and Matt Ernst for helping and bringing their UTVs, and to the many CTO volunteers as well. Also, thanks to Diane, Steve, JoAnn and everyone at J&H for the great food and making sure everything ran smoothly. Next year’s hunts are again planned for March and October. Watch the next newsletter for exact dates.

NAVARINO TROLLEY RIDE – Carl Gierke On September 27th, 17 CTO members, friends and family participated in the trolley ride offered by Navarino Nature Center. We met at 11am at NNC and rode the tractor-driven trolley through the wildlife area and got to see the beautiful fall colors and a variety of wildlife, including many trumpeter swans. Tim Ewing, director at NNC, rode along and discussed points of interest, management of the property, and the wildlife we observed. After the tour, everyone was treated with lunch and Barb Kaun hosted a trivia contest in which winners were awarded prizes for their vast knowledge. After lunch, many participants took time to explore the displays inside the nature center. Thanks to Tim and NNC for offering this tour and making it an enjoyable day!

OCTOBER GUN DEER HUNT- David Paul

The gun deer hunt, which began on Saturday, October 7th came to a close on Sunday, October 15th for CTO members and we had pretty good weather and some of the best harvest numbers in a long time. We had three hunters who hunted up to the last day of the hunt. Our landowners were impressed with the determination of our hunters as well as our mentors and many Thanks goes out to these landowners. This was another safe hunt with no one to my knowledge needing any medical help and we had zero vehicles stalled or stuck on the properties. We had 44 hunters signed up for this hunt with six of them hunting in the Manitowoc area and one hunter who took part in the Wisconsin River Power Company Disabled Hunt.

This hunt would not be possible without the volunteers who served as mentors for our hunters. I would like to recognize those individuals who sat with hunters, transported hunters, set up or took down blinds, secured hunting land and helped with the harvest of the deer: Randy King, Chouse Hartlaben, Mike Shulze, Nathan Owen, Bill Mayville, Jon Mayville, Bob Mayville, Leo Mayville, Carl Gierke, Brian Wendt, Joe Palmer, Don Uphill, Alex Wagner, Chuck Moser, Chuck Numier. Once again Reister and Schnell out of Pulaski provided us with a gator to use on opening weekend and Brian Wendt, Bill Mayville and Steve Tauchen provided us with their personal ATV’s to use. One of our new members, Scott Bratz from Valders donated deer processing for two of our successful hunters.

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!

DOE HARVEST(11) BUCK HARVEST (7)

Darwin Swille Tom Sauer/ Manitowoc 4 pointer James Weber Randy Swille 6 pointer Al Wegner Brent Maxim 4 pointer Gary Thyes John Sticka 4 pointer Steve Harvey Robby McClain 13 pointer Bill Mayville Michael Londre 4 pointer Joe Palmer/ Manitowoc Keith Pamperin 4 pointer/ Wisconsin River Power Company Hunt Bob Schuh/ Manitowoc Randy Graham Paul Kramer Jerry Druckrey

Although this hunt takes a lot of time, human power, and commitment, it pays dividends in so many ways and helps continue support for CTO and its members in the years to come. Please read your newsletter to stay informed of all of our events and hopefully you can urge an acquaintance to join our club. You do not have to be disabled to join our club or be a volunteer.

SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT- Ron Urmanski October 12th was a beautiful morning to be in the woods at J&H. People were shedding the extra garb because it warmed up so fast! The sun was in our eyes at station one on the green course. Jim A came out on top! Everyone shot well, and one of us had his all-time high! The encouragement and support was fantastic, heckling also was present! What I found out was the most enjoyable was the interaction of the group, we had 10 people show up, and the stories that were told! The stories may have been stretched a bit, kind of like the yard stick or tape when you measure a fish! I think some had the number reversed! God's Blessings to all, Ron Urmanski (The good looking brother of Roger!!!) 4

MANITOWOC NEWS- Bob Schuh Challenge the Outdoors (CTO) had 44 hunters signed up for Wisconsin’s deer hunt for persons with disabilities that ran Oct. 7-15. This was one of the best years ever as the group shot 11 antlerless deer and 7 bucks. The largest buck was a 13 pointer shot by Robby McClain in the Gillette area. It was a very unusual rack as it had two beams coming out of one side and another out the other side of his head. Robby McClain was hunting in Wisconsin’s deer hunt for persons with disabilities.

Manitowoc Rifle and Pistol Club will hold their 2023 DEER HUNTERS SIGHT-IN at the club, 7227 Sandy Hill Lane, Two Rivers, WI 54241. Take Highway 42 north of Two Rivers, then east on Viceroy Road, and north on Sandy Hill Lane. Register at the clubhouse when you arrive. Cost is $5 per participant. Eye and hearing protection is available if needed. Supervised 25 yard, 50 yard, and 100 yard ranges. Range stations are sheltered from the weather with a spotter at each station. Lunch is available inside the clubhouse. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Please note a change of dates from past years: Nov. 4 and 5. There will not be a sight-in on the weekend before the deer hunting gun season as in the past.

Kettle Range Snow Riders will hold their fall fish fry on Friday, Nov. 3 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Mishicot Vet's Club. They will be serving hand breaded perch and walleye, cod and chicken strips. Desserts are also available. Call (920) 323-6950 for take-out orders.

Maribel Sportsmen’s Club will hold gun sight-ins on Nov. 4 and 5. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on each of these days. Cost is $5 per gun which includes targets, sight-in help will be provided and some minor gunsmithing can be done. Maribel Sportsmen’s Club is next to I-43, exit 164, State Highway 147, Maribel.

Viking Bow and Gun Club, 13431 Rusch Road, Valders, will hold their sportsmen’s rummage sale on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tables are on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to one table per person. Set up is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday or Saturday morning starting at 7 a.m. They also have gun sight-ins on Nov. 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sight in is open to the public and a small range fee will be charged.

MONTANA DEER HUNT- Steve Lang

I recently had the opportunity to go on a disabled Deer hunt in Montana with Beaver Creek Rendezvous (www.beavercreekrendezvous.com/). The hunt consisted of 5 disabled hunters on Oct 19- 22, with them having access to roughly 100,000 acres. There is a very good likely that you will never see another hunter unless it is at the hunting lodge. That was indeed the case for me and my assistants. Beaver Creek Rendezvous does cover all the lodging, food and drinks once you arrive at the lodge, and I had to cover the expense of the Deer tag and the fuel to get there. They do offer to pick hunters and their companion/helper up at a local airport if flying is a better option for you, they will also provide a gun if you need to borrow one. I would recommend obtaining a disabled, shoot from a vehicle permit for Montana prior to going. They are free with a signed doctor's application from the Montana Fish & Game Service, and a good for a lifetime. My companion on the hunt was my wife, Jessica. In the lodge, there is a main common sleeping area with 6 sets of bunkbeds, and 2 separate smaller rooms used for couples, women, or children to stay in away from the main sleeping quarters for privacy. There are plenty of electrical outlets for any devices needed for sleeping, breathing, charging devices or anything else. We arrived in camp on Thursday Oct. 19th around 2pm and were met by a group of smiling men, women and children. This was only a sign of things to come. Everyone jumped in to help unload our belongings, show us to our room and around the lodge. The lodge was rustic, but yet modern with all the up-to-date amenities one could ask for. Everything is on a single level, has a roll in shower, and 2 wheelchair accessible bathrooms. The rest of the day was spent getting to know people, along with getting accustomed to our new surroundings. After supper, each hunter and companion were introduced to their guides for the trip, along with meeting the landowners whose property they'd be hunting on. This is a big deal in Montana, as this hunt coincides with the opening of rifle deer season. This would be the same as a landowner allowing only a single disabled hunter onto their land here in Wisconsin during the opening weekend of the general gun deer season! On Friday the 20th, it was time to start getting down to business. We went to their on-sight gun range, just to make sure nothing happened to our scopes while traveling. Then it was off to the little nearby town of Ekalaka to see some sights. It was like looking at an old western with the town. There were phone booths, dirt roads, and people shaking hands everywhere to greet you (even if they didn’t know you). They even have a free donation museum with 5 full size dinosaur skeletons in it! Not bad for a town with roughly 20 combined houses in it. That evening at supper, the local Game Warden (who was originally from Wisconsin, near Janesville), gave a presentation on the Montana deer population, its current struggle, what to probably expect and a thank you for enjoying their State of Montana. We were informed on a rule change by the Montana Fish & Wildlife Service that the deer tags that we all held, would now be good for mule deer bucks, or any whitetail deer (buck or doe). The mule deer population had been decimated and no does were to be harvested by anyone from basically the middle of the State to the Dakota boarders. The outlook of the Southeastern deer population was not good at all. We were told that were you used to see 80 deer, you may only see 2 now. They have a plan in place to recover the herds, but a late winter snowstorm and colder than normal temperatures, unfortunately killed many deer. On Saturday the 21st, we woke up around 5am, since breakfast was at 5:30. And soon afterwards they had me loading up into the truck and on my way to the roughly 5,500-acre Ranch where I’d be hunting. The landowner Doug, his son Grafton and my guides Blaine and Blake asked if I was prepared and ready, as I may have to make 400-500 shots, just to have a chance at a deer. I was unsure about the distance, but they assured me it would be okay, and we would try to make it a closer shot, if possible. After about a 15-minute ride, we arrived at the Ranch. We stopped on a hill to overlook as much land as possible. We did spot a couple mule deer does and 2 bucks. We tried to get a good shot onto one of the bucks, but the best shot was at 400 yards, downhill into a ravine. We did get a shot at him, but the shot ultimately sailed high and was unsuccessful. That was our best chance in the morning. After lunch, we set out to try again. A couple of the guides were walking through a few of the deep valleys, trying to drive the deer towards me. I was ready to go, hoping one would coming running right to us and we would get a close shot. Well, a huge mule deer buck busted out of the valley below us, came right towards the truck I was sitting in. but instead of turning to my left, he went right and split our vehicle and another one that was helping watch for deer. He crossed us at less than 30 yards. We tried to spin around and get a shot, but he was moving too fast and was into the next ravine and escaped. That was our last encounter for the day. When we returned to the lodge, we were told we were lucky we had those experiences, as some of the groups never saw a deer all day. This was shocking, as I know how hard my guides worked to help me and knowing others were doing the same. So, onto Sunday the 22nd, after now seeing and hearing about the deer population, we all talked and collectively agreed that if we could get any legal deer in range and broadside, we better not pass up an opportunity, as we may only get one chance. We set up on a small hill, overlooking some fields. We did eventually spot a nice whitetail buck that we thought we'd try to get a shot at, as no mullies were in sight. We were able to get close enough to get a shot at the buck, it was a nice one, but my shot went sailing just a little high as he ran away, jumping up and down small ridges in the landscape. We thought that may be the last and best chance at anything for the day. We made a new plan to follow some meadow grass, hoping something would jump out and show themselves. To our surprise, a group of whitetail does did just that. Many of then ran far away from us and out of sight, but one stayed behind at about 100 yards, broadside and stared at us. A quick, brief discussion ensued, and it was decided to try and harvest her, and others had not been seeing deer yet in other places. We took the shot; it was a perfect shot. We watched her run about 150 yards before falling over across a field. Overall, I may not have shot a shoulder mounting mule deer, or any mounting deer for that matter, but I had a western hunting experience that I will not forget! Every individual there from the on-sight medical professionals, butchers, cooks, guides, landowners, photographers and crew are all volunteers. They are simply amazing individuals, the hunt was exciting, and the views were amazing. If someone wants a true western experience, I recommend this hunt to anyone. I saw mule deer, whitetail deer, coyotes, porcupines, antelope, Hungarian partridge, and prairie grouse while hunting to name a few. The hunting style is nearly indescribable in words, I can say this though, I've never smiled and laughed so much while hunting in my life. And to be able to share it with my wife Jessica made it even better. This is not a trophy hunt, but there definitely is a chance to get a large set of antlers. What I can guarantee, if you would go to this hunt, you will feel like you are with family, eat very well, see a great part of the country and have a chance to have a great western experience. The cost of a license is higher, with an out of State tag being roughly $700, it’s farther to travel, but the memories and experience are priceless! If you are interested in this hunt, I can answer some questions you may have, you may also contact Beaver Creek Rendezvous on their website using the "Contact Us" page for information. (Note: Steve received a Field Grant from CTO for this trip. CTO members are eligible for up to $200 per grant, with a lifetime maximum of three grants. Additional information is included in this newsletter under Ongoing Programs.)

PLEASE WELCOME NEW MEMBERS - Scott and Patricia Bratz, Charles Stelzner, John Marvin, Jerry Druckrey, David Vanenkevort, Paul Kramer

MEMBER PARTICIPATION/CANCELLATION POLICY An event chairperson(s) may bar a CTO member for one (1) year from participating in the same event, if the member signs up for an event and fails to attend the event without giving prior notice to the event chairperson(s) that she/he will not be attending. There shall be exceptions for sickness, injury, equipment failure, or a death. The event chairperson(s) will have final authority to say if a one (1) year ban from the following year’s event is warranted depending on the circumstances surrounding the absence and impact on the event. This policy was implemented because occasionally, people unable to attend events did not notify CTO or event chairpersons, causing spaces to go unfilled. Please notify the chairperson as far in advance as possible if you can’t attend an event you’ve signed up for. We just want to ensure that as many people as possible can attend events.

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 – Randy Swille

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 – Randy Swille

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 – Debi Delie

NEWSLETTER - David Paul The Challenge the Outdoors Newsletter is published every two months at the beginning of January, March, May, July, September and November. We strongly encourage recipients of the newsletter to get it by email, as it saves considerable time and expense. If you currently receive a hard copy of the newsletter, but are able to receive it by email at home or through a friend or family member, please contact me with an email address - David Paul at dcp7576@gmail.com or 920-740-2775.

CTO BOARD MEETINGS - CTO’S Board of Directors meets the third Wednesday of each month at 5pm, currently alternating between Appleton (American Legion) and Green Bay (Home Instead). If you would like to take part and offer your ideas, help with events, or just find out how things work, you’re welcome to attend. If you have a question for a specific board member, please refer to the list below.