Welcome to Challenge the Outdoors, Inc.
SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWSLETTER
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – Carl Gierke
A lot of our members are asking how the Peter’s Pond project is coming along in Angelica and the answer is very good. Thanks to the hard work of the folks at RJM Construction and cooperative weather, the building is just about completed and finishing touches are being made. Although we won’t be having any activities there any time soon due to safety concerns related to landscaping and pond access, the project is on schedule. The next steps will be completing landscaping and designing fishing piers and these improvements will continue into next year and probably the following year.
If you remember, Steve Nooyen graciously donated the property to CTO and improvements will be made to enable safe access to the property and pond. It’s very difficult to say when everything will be completed and the property will be open to our members, but things are going well so far. We thank Ryan Minnlschmidt and his people at RJM Construction and everyone that has pitched in to make the project successful so far, and again a special thanks to Steve Nooyen for his generosity to CTO. As always, thanks to all our members, mentors, donors and friends who contribute to the success of our organization.
With hunting season coming up and people getting excited about fall activities, take a look at the events calendar and see if there are any activities that interest you. Many of these activities have limited attendance, so it’s best to get signed up early if you want to attend. Hope to see you at an event sometime soon!
HEAR YE, HEAR YE! – Barb Kaun Planning for the April 1, 2023 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, March 31st, or on April 1st 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 2023 Sporting Clay Fundraiser.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
2022 SPORTING CLAY SHOOTS AT J&H - Randy Swille, Steve Harvey, Roger Urmanski This year we are offering Sporting Clay Shoots during six different months. CTO will cover your cost at four of them. We are having three more Tuesday shoots this year and all will be held at J&H Game Farm near Navarino. Dates of the shoots are:
Tuesday, Sept. 13th 9:00-11:00 am
Tuesday, Oct. 11th 9:00-11:00 am
Tuesday, Nov. 8th 9:00-11:00 am
For Tuesday shoots, contact for info and sign up: Roger Urmanski 920-468-8872
YOUTH AND LADIES DAY – Carl Gierke J&H will be hosting its annual Youth & Ladies Day of Outdoor Instruction on Saturday, September 10th. Registration will be from 9AM – 3PM and activities will run until 4PM. This is a free event for all ladies and kids up to age 18. Activities will include shotgun, .22 rifle and BB gun shooting stations, archery, fly casting and the trout fishing will again be sponsored by Challenge the Outdoors. There will be displays by the DNR, Al Meier’s Taxidermy and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Ladies Group. Food is also furnished along with a door prize for each participant. For more about the activities or if you wish to make any donations, please contact Diane at J&H at 715-758-8134 or e-mail at jhclub@tds.net. CTO is always looking for helpers at the Trout Pond. If you would like to help the youth and ladies bait hooks, unhook fish or join those who clean the trout after they are caught, please contact Carl Gierke. It’s always a lot of fun seeing the smiles on kid’s faces when they catch a fish. You’ll enjoy it!
SHAWANO LAKE & PONTOON BOAT 2022 -David Paul The pontoon boat is scheduled to be removed from the lake on Thursday September 29th for the season. We are keeping our pontoon boat on Shawano Lake in Cecil (southeast corner of the lake). The boat is located at slip #7 this year and each slip is marked with a number. Our pontoon boat has been equipped with a fish finder and a trolling motor as of last year. The boat is available to any CTO member to use. All you need to do is call David Paul, (920-740-2775) to reserve the boat for a half or full day. You’ll need to bring your own fishing equipment. The boat has a cooler, fish finder and trolling motor as well as life jackets.
CTO Pontoon Boat Guidelines: Failure to follow these guidelines may terminate your use of the pontoon for up to one year from date of infraction per CTO Policy.
A) Keys and signup sheet are at the BP gas station located at HWY 117 &22 in Cecil. Report any issues or damage immediately to David.
B) First time users are REQUIRED to receive training on operation of the pontoon and the lake topography.
C) You must follow the Wisconsin DNR boating regulations and you are responsible for knowing these regulations. Failure to do so can lead to legal ramifications that you are solely responsible for.
D) Prior to leaving dock:
1) Please have at least one working cell phone with you on the boat that gets adequate reception.
2) Retrieve personal flotation devices (PFDs or life jackets) from storage and make sure one is
accessible for each person. Individuals under the age of 13 are required to wear them. Make sure
one throwable flotation device is accessible in case of emergency.
3) Tilt motor down into water, but not hitting bottom. Trim down further when in deeper water.
4) Turn on running lights in dark or foggy conditions.
5) Make sure you have untied the pontoon from the dock. Leave the chains used to keep the boat tied up at the dock.
E) When returning to dock.
1) Remove any garbage, worms, fishing gear, food, etc. from the boat.
2) Bimini Top (canopy) should be lowered and please reattach the cover to the Bimini unless it is wet.
3) Make sure all running lights are off.
4) Make sure pontoon boat is secured at all points to the dock and close and latch all doors.
5) Return life jackets and other equipment to storage area it came from.
6) Return keys to BP gas station and call or text David Paul when you are done for the day. 920-740-2775
7) There is no need to refill the gas tank.
CTO END OF SUMMER OUTING AT OUTAGAMIE CONSERVATION CLUB – Barb Kaun On Saturday, September 17th from 10 AM until 3:00 PM CTO will host this event with lunch provided at 12 o’clock noon. CTO will provide water and the food. Trap shooting is available with CTO picking up the cost of a round or two for those taking part. If you do not have a shotgun, OCC has a few that will be available to borrow. You are welcome to bring your own shells, or you can purchase some there. CTO will pick up the cost of one box of 12 or 20 gauge shells purchased at OCC for use at the outing. This is a perfect time for our members to take advantage of the opportunity to try shooting, as there will be plenty of time and instruction if needed. The pistol range will also be available. You are responsible for bringing your own pistol and ammunition. Targets will be supplied, but you may bring your own if you wish. Enjoy catch and release fishing at the stocked pond, unless the fish is deep hooked and won’t survive. Bring your favorite rod and tackle. We will provide live bait or you may bring your own as well. The pond is stocked with trout, panfish and largemouth bass. The terrain is very flat around the pond and the entire OCC grounds, so getting around will be fairly easy, but you may want to bring a power scooter as the activities are spread out. There is a clubhouse at OCC, so this is a rain or shine event, and there is an open bar to purchase beverages. OCC is a great place to enjoy many different activities and it gives our members a chance to learn a new skill or two. Please contact Barb Kaun at 920-720-9689 if you are planning on attending or if you are available to help. You can see what OCC has to offer throughout the year by checking out their website: http://www.wiocc.com
OCTOBER DISABLED DEER HUNT- David Paul This year’s hunt will begin on Saturday, October 1st with a mandatory brunch meeting at NOON located at the Lessor Town Hall, W4055 Landstad Road, Bonduel, WI. Helpers and volunteers are also welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting. This is the same location we have been using over the past several years. After our meeting, hunters can pack up a lunch from the food that CTO has provided. Hunters will be allowed to begin their hunt after the meeting on Saturday. We will offer the same services on Sunday minus the informational meeting. Hunters will receive an email or text with more information in mid-September. We are currently filled up for this year’s hunt with over 40 hunters. Questions can be directed to David Paul, 920-740-2775 dcp7576@gmail.com
NAVARINO TROLLEY RIDE – Carl Gierke On Wednesday, October 11th, CTO will offer its annual trolley ride through the Navarino Wildlife Area. We’ll meet at 11am at the Navarino Nature Center (W5646 Lindsten Rd., Shiocton) located about two miles northwest of the town of Navarino. The plan is to take the trolley and then have lunch, both courtesy of CTO. The trolley ride, which lasts about an hour, is narrated by Nature Center staff and is a great opportunity to enjoy the fall colors and see some of the wildlife that inhabit the 15,000 acre property. You’ll also have a chance to check out the many displays at the Nature Center. Please arrive before 11am so we don’t leave without you and watch the weather forecast and bring warm clothing if necessary – the weather that time of year can change in a hurry. If you’d like to attend, please contact me as soon as possible, as space is limited, but no later than October 6th.
FALL PHEASANT HUNT- Carl Gierke The hunt will take place Sunday, October 23rd starting at 8 AM until noon at J&H Game Farm, W5810 J&H Road, just West of Navarino. We have arranged for pheasants to be released, dogs and handlers, machine operators, back-up shooters, cleaners and baggers and great food. It’s always a great day to share stories and get to know other CTO members. Shooters will be in two shifts, 8:30 until 9:30 and 9:45 until 10:45. Each disabled hunter will be allowed two pheasants. If you don’t have your own gun, there will be guns available at J&H for you to use. Shotgun shells, (12 gauge 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 folks at J&H. Please sign up by October 14th if you are interested in being part of this hunt. If you have any questions, please contact Carl Gierke.
EVENT RECAPS
Annual Membership Banquet – Sharon LeFevre We had 148 members/guests/land owners sign up for the banquet on July 17th at Stadium View in Green Bay, which is a great turn out. We had Chicken and Tenderloin Tips with the fixings for the meal. For dessert we had cake from Costco's and Brownies from Sam's Club. It was enjoyed by all. We had the election as well and elected to the board are as follows: Steve Harvey, James Nooyen, Carl Gierke, Anne Atnip and Debi Delie who will serve three-year terms. Thank you to all that helped at the banquet in any way that day and the months prior getting ready for the event. Without your help, I couldn't have made it happen. We also had a 50/50 raffle along with other raffle items donated to the club. We look forward to seeing all of you again next year and hope things run a little more smoothly next year for the post office. If anyone is interested in helping with this event or any other CTO events, please contact the chair of the event to let them know. Please also remember that if you are not able to attend an event, it is appreciated if you call the chair prior to the event to let them know you won't be there. Thanks again to all my volunteers (too many to mention) for the great help you provided for this event.
WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS GAME – Bob Schuh
On August 13, Mary and I met up with a group of people from Challenge The Outdoors (CTO) at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton to take in a Minor League Baseball game between the South Bend Cubs and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the High-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Normally when I write about CTO I am on a hunting or fishing outing with them, but they offer so much more for their members. We had a steady mist for most of the game but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the players or the 5,200 plus fans that attended. The Timber Rattlers won the game 5 to 1 and then they had a fireworks show for all to enjoy. This was just another experience for outdoor enthusiasts with disabilities to enjoy. Next thing we are looking for is the annual deer hunt that will start on October 1.
SHOOT YOUR CHOICE – Steve Harvey August 21st was an overcast day, but we had 21 shooters and two guests signed up. Everyone had fun and a chance to try something different if they wanted. We then had a wonderful fish fry and dessert at J&H. I would like to thank everyone who showed up, guests and helpers.
CHASING RAINBOWS – Carl Gierke On Saturday, August 27th, 25 members and guests of CTO attended the event at Wilderness Springs Trout Farm west of New London. It was a beautiful morning, the rainbow trout were biting and many big fish were caught. Donna Hoelzel and Gary Thyes tied for the biggest fish at 17 ¾ inches. After catching their fish, everyone relaxed around the picnic tables and shared some fish stories and then enjoyed a great lunch served by Chris Savka, James Savka, Barb Kaun, Deb Nighbor and others. Although the meteorologist had predicted rain later in the day, it started raining about noon and we packed up a little early to avoid getting soaked. Thanks to the Fosters at Wilderness Springs and everyone that helped out, whether it was providing rides, baiting hooks, releasing fish, preparing and serving food, or eating enough to make sure we didn’t have too many leftovers. Everyone pitched in to make it a fun day!
NON-EVENT INFORMATION
NEW MEMBERS - Please welcome the following new members to CTO: Ron Giese, Pete Ryan, and Tom and Cindy Kryzanek
FOR SALE - Mathews sniper lite crossbow, scope, case, quiver, three lighted bolts w/rage broadheads, six non-lighted bolts $750 OBO Keith Hartjes 920 540 3416
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.
MEMBERSHIP EXPIRED? - You are responsible for making sure your membership is up to date. If you have a Life Membership you never have to renew.
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
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