| Challenge The Outdoors, Inc. "Dedicated To Serving The Recreational Needs And Desires of The Physically Challenged Sportsperson" |
| Recollections From The Field and Pond As told by the actual participants in their own words |
Helluva, Wyoming Hunt
By: Dick Cross
During the first week of October, Douglas, Wyoming opens it's heart and farmlands to 15 challenged
hunters to hunt Antelope.
Through the philanthropic help of farmers, ranchers, and civic minded community businesses, funds and
prizes are furnished to pay for this all expense paid for hunt, that ran from Oct. 3rd - 5th. 15 challenged
hunters are picked from across the U.S.A. every February. 15 out of 15 participants got their Antelope the
1st day of the 2001 hunt. I was the last hunter to bag my animal---- a 336 yard shot right through the heart.
My guide, Bill Sinnard of Douglas, reassured me I hit the Pronghorn; I didn't believe him because I never
shot at anything that far away before. Sure enough, just over the crest of a little rise lay the Pronghorn.
I couldn't drive to Wyoming (1,600 miles) so Iris and I flew from Milwaukee. This was just three weeks from
"Terrorist Day". I didn't bring a gun, because I didn't think they would allow one on the plane. I borrowed a
.243 caliber bolt action from Marvin Stotyn of Colorado.
The 1st day we sighted in our rifles at 200 yards. Later that day we went to a trap range and shot clay
targets. I hit 17 out of 25 the 1st round and 18 of 25 the second round. Most of the guys were surprised to
see me shoot 1 handed. You all know that where there is a will there is a way.
We were housed in a comfortable dormitory, with an elevator, at the State Fair Grounds. The food was
excellent, although the 5 A.M. breakfast the 1st day were tough though delicious. After the first day we
didn't have to rise so early because we all had bagged our Pronghorns.
All meat from your animal is skinned and quartered as you like it, frozen and packaged for shipment home.
I made some lasting friendships. My guide, Bill Sinnard and I email each other often. As I said at the closing
banquet, "Thanks from Challenge The Outdoors for selecting me and thanks thanks to Douglas, Wyoming
for doing so much for the challenged. If New York City is of late the sad city, then Douglas is the Happy city,
U.S.A.".
The 15 hunters for this years (2002) hunt have been selected. To be considered for participation in the 2003
Helluva Hunt you will need to receive and return an application. Jane informed me that interested parties
should call her and she will mail or fax them an application. Lodging, license, meals, guides, and other
miscellaneous things are all furnished at no cost to the hunter. Hunters are only responsible for their travel
expenses to get there. Contact the Stearns at: Gary and Jane Stearns, Helluva Hunt, 1562 Estbrook Road,
Douglas, Wyoming 82633 Phone:(307) 358-6580
By: Dick Cross
During the first week of October, Douglas, Wyoming opens it's heart and farmlands to 15 challenged
hunters to hunt Antelope.
Through the philanthropic help of farmers, ranchers, and civic minded community businesses, funds and
prizes are furnished to pay for this all expense paid for hunt, that ran from Oct. 3rd - 5th. 15 challenged
hunters are picked from across the U.S.A. every February. 15 out of 15 participants got their Antelope the
1st day of the 2001 hunt. I was the last hunter to bag my animal---- a 336 yard shot right through the heart.
My guide, Bill Sinnard of Douglas, reassured me I hit the Pronghorn; I didn't believe him because I never
shot at anything that far away before. Sure enough, just over the crest of a little rise lay the Pronghorn.
I couldn't drive to Wyoming (1,600 miles) so Iris and I flew from Milwaukee. This was just three weeks from
"Terrorist Day". I didn't bring a gun, because I didn't think they would allow one on the plane. I borrowed a
.243 caliber bolt action from Marvin Stotyn of Colorado.
The 1st day we sighted in our rifles at 200 yards. Later that day we went to a trap range and shot clay
targets. I hit 17 out of 25 the 1st round and 18 of 25 the second round. Most of the guys were surprised to
see me shoot 1 handed. You all know that where there is a will there is a way.
We were housed in a comfortable dormitory, with an elevator, at the State Fair Grounds. The food was
excellent, although the 5 A.M. breakfast the 1st day were tough though delicious. After the first day we
didn't have to rise so early because we all had bagged our Pronghorns.
All meat from your animal is skinned and quartered as you like it, frozen and packaged for shipment home.
I made some lasting friendships. My guide, Bill Sinnard and I email each other often. As I said at the closing
banquet, "Thanks from Challenge The Outdoors for selecting me and thanks thanks to Douglas, Wyoming
for doing so much for the challenged. If New York City is of late the sad city, then Douglas is the Happy city,
U.S.A.".
The 15 hunters for this years (2002) hunt have been selected. To be considered for participation in the 2003
Helluva Hunt you will need to receive and return an application. Jane informed me that interested parties
should call her and she will mail or fax them an application. Lodging, license, meals, guides, and other
miscellaneous things are all furnished at no cost to the hunter. Hunters are only responsible for their travel
expenses to get there. Contact the Stearns at: Gary and Jane Stearns, Helluva Hunt, 1562 Estbrook Road,
Douglas, Wyoming 82633 Phone:(307) 358-6580
A View From The Field (Early October 2001 Special Deer Hunt For The Disabled)
By: Bill Mayville
Saturday: October 6th, 2001: 30 degree opening day. Chuck Nelson and son Roy arrived at 5:30 a.m. My
brother Dan and Harland Chapman took Mark Baehr to his blind. Chuck and Roy went to the highway
blind. Spanbauers drove directly to the North blind as agreed. I sat in my rocking chair with my sore foot
up in the air and coffee cup in hand and enjoyed the sunrise through my patio doors. What a hunt-
<chuckle> I've got it made this year. Brother Dan and Harland had an empty woods as did Mark for the
opening day.
Larry Laehn went into the woods at 10:00 a.m. and missed a buck with a shot that failed to find it's mark,
but "Dead Eye" Chuck Nelson piled up 2 antler less to make the day a success overall.
Sunday: Larry Zander sat in the hydraulic lift (loaned to us by Shadows On The Wolf) with Harland, but
they were a little late in getting in and deer were already feasting on their apples when they arrived. Larry
Laehn had a second shot at a buck but couldn't quite connect. Harland and I went to register deer after a
great noon lunch, then to Larry Zanders where he did the honors of butchering. I returned to my chair
with foot in the air and the Packer game for the rest of the day.
Monday: Beautiful a.m. Harland helped me to thatch the strawberries, then we sat out six hours in the
hydraulic blind. I saw seven deer that day but Harland couldn't them out. We had one standing in the
logging road in front of us and he saw it for a second but then lost it in the scope and couldn't find it again.
No shot, maybe tomorrow.
Tuesday: Harland and I went to sit in the blind by the highway about 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. One doe came in to
the apple pile, but Harland couldn't find it in the scope again. No shot again.
Thursday: Dick Cross was sitting in the blind by the North fence with volunteer Gary Thyes. Deer were all
over the place. Dick took 6 or 7 shots and hit one, but couldn't find the deer. Lots of blood at the sight, but
lost the trail in the woods. Dick stayed at Gary's camp and I met them for breakfast in Bonduel Friday.
Friday: Larry Zander and Harland came over and we went back out to track Dick's deer. We picked up
the blood trail in the woods and tracked it half the morning, but it went into heavy slashings and we lost it.
Bob Mayer came out with his son, Matt, and they went to the hydraulic blind. Dick sat on the north fence
line and Harland and I went across the creek with Larry Laehn's 4- wheeler. We took Barbera's 20 guage
with 4X scope as we figured it offered more light gathering power for Harland. At 5:30 p.m. two bucks
came out of the lowlands. One six pointer offered a shot at about 50 yards, but Harland couldn't find it in
the scope. Bob Mayer shot a doe that evening, and he and his son took it home. Dick headed back home, as
he had plans for the weekend.
Saturday: Mark and Karen Baehr came out early. Harland and Roy Nelson sat in the hydraulic blind.
Neither one saw any deer that a.m. We all went to the town hall for an excellent turkey dinner with all the
fixins that was prepared by 3 culinary arts students from Fox Valley Technical College Culinary Arts Club.
Great job and great food! The Badger game came for me with foot in the air. Nobody saw any deer that
evening.
Sunday: Last day. No hunters in the a.m. but went for lunch (leftovers from Saturday) at the town hall,
watched the Packer game and then headed for the woods. Bob and Matt were in the hydraulic blind, Mark
was by the north fence, and Harland and I went to the blind by the 47 bridge with traffic roaring behind us.
At about 6 p.m., a buck walked into the end of the shooting lane and stopped. Harland scoped the lane, but
couldn't pick him up. I told him it was just beyond the large popple tree on the right, but he was still
having trouble getting him in the sights of my blackpowder gun. So, with my help, just as the buck raised
his nose high in the air as the wind was blowing straight to him I squeezed the trigger and when the smoke
cleared, the 167 lb. 7 pointer was on the ground.
With this buck and the two that Toby shot at Suamico, we ended the season with 6 deer for 8 hunters, a
75% success rate. That was the best hunt ever. I hope everyone had as great a time as I did.
By: Bill Mayville
Saturday: October 6th, 2001: 30 degree opening day. Chuck Nelson and son Roy arrived at 5:30 a.m. My
brother Dan and Harland Chapman took Mark Baehr to his blind. Chuck and Roy went to the highway
blind. Spanbauers drove directly to the North blind as agreed. I sat in my rocking chair with my sore foot
up in the air and coffee cup in hand and enjoyed the sunrise through my patio doors. What a hunt-
<chuckle> I've got it made this year. Brother Dan and Harland had an empty woods as did Mark for the
opening day.
Larry Laehn went into the woods at 10:00 a.m. and missed a buck with a shot that failed to find it's mark,
but "Dead Eye" Chuck Nelson piled up 2 antler less to make the day a success overall.
Sunday: Larry Zander sat in the hydraulic lift (loaned to us by Shadows On The Wolf) with Harland, but
they were a little late in getting in and deer were already feasting on their apples when they arrived. Larry
Laehn had a second shot at a buck but couldn't quite connect. Harland and I went to register deer after a
great noon lunch, then to Larry Zanders where he did the honors of butchering. I returned to my chair
with foot in the air and the Packer game for the rest of the day.
Monday: Beautiful a.m. Harland helped me to thatch the strawberries, then we sat out six hours in the
hydraulic blind. I saw seven deer that day but Harland couldn't them out. We had one standing in the
logging road in front of us and he saw it for a second but then lost it in the scope and couldn't find it again.
No shot, maybe tomorrow.
Tuesday: Harland and I went to sit in the blind by the highway about 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. One doe came in to
the apple pile, but Harland couldn't find it in the scope again. No shot again.
Thursday: Dick Cross was sitting in the blind by the North fence with volunteer Gary Thyes. Deer were all
over the place. Dick took 6 or 7 shots and hit one, but couldn't find the deer. Lots of blood at the sight, but
lost the trail in the woods. Dick stayed at Gary's camp and I met them for breakfast in Bonduel Friday.
Friday: Larry Zander and Harland came over and we went back out to track Dick's deer. We picked up
the blood trail in the woods and tracked it half the morning, but it went into heavy slashings and we lost it.
Bob Mayer came out with his son, Matt, and they went to the hydraulic blind. Dick sat on the north fence
line and Harland and I went across the creek with Larry Laehn's 4- wheeler. We took Barbera's 20 guage
with 4X scope as we figured it offered more light gathering power for Harland. At 5:30 p.m. two bucks
came out of the lowlands. One six pointer offered a shot at about 50 yards, but Harland couldn't find it in
the scope. Bob Mayer shot a doe that evening, and he and his son took it home. Dick headed back home, as
he had plans for the weekend.
Saturday: Mark and Karen Baehr came out early. Harland and Roy Nelson sat in the hydraulic blind.
Neither one saw any deer that a.m. We all went to the town hall for an excellent turkey dinner with all the
fixins that was prepared by 3 culinary arts students from Fox Valley Technical College Culinary Arts Club.
Great job and great food! The Badger game came for me with foot in the air. Nobody saw any deer that
evening.
Sunday: Last day. No hunters in the a.m. but went for lunch (leftovers from Saturday) at the town hall,
watched the Packer game and then headed for the woods. Bob and Matt were in the hydraulic blind, Mark
was by the north fence, and Harland and I went to the blind by the 47 bridge with traffic roaring behind us.
At about 6 p.m., a buck walked into the end of the shooting lane and stopped. Harland scoped the lane, but
couldn't pick him up. I told him it was just beyond the large popple tree on the right, but he was still
having trouble getting him in the sights of my blackpowder gun. So, with my help, just as the buck raised
his nose high in the air as the wind was blowing straight to him I squeezed the trigger and when the smoke
cleared, the 167 lb. 7 pointer was on the ground.
With this buck and the two that Toby shot at Suamico, we ended the season with 6 deer for 8 hunters, a
75% success rate. That was the best hunt ever. I hope everyone had as great a time as I did.
| Challenge The Outdoors Inc. N8154 Cty Hwy M Shiocton, WI. 54170 Phone (920) 525-1123 www.CTOforME.org Email CTOforME@yahoo.com |
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Deer Hunting 2007 for Jeff Pagels
By: Jeff Pagels
This was an interesting year for disabled hunter Jeff Pagels to be sure. Jeff, a
wheelchair user since 1984 uses a cross bow for the archery season and a rifle
during the traditional Wisconsin gun season.
Bow Hunting started out very slow. Jeff hunts in Waupaca County for the bow
season and after going out 15 different times during the season had only saw 3
deer, two of which were small bucks he was not allowed to shoot in this Quality
Deer Management Area.
That changed on a bright and quiet morning, November 8th. Nestled against a
fence post between a cut cornfield and hay field he watched a deer running about
200 yards away and disappear in a lower section of the cornfield. Just in case, he
settled his bow aiming toward where the deer had run. About a minute later, a nice
8-point shooter buck came bounding through the cut corn heading toward Jeff.
Things happened fast after that, with Jeff taking his shot as the Buck slowed to a
trot. From the sound and actions of the deer it was a good hit as the buck turned
180 degrees and headed back the way he came. Jeff put his wheelchair back
together, managed to get back in it, (making a mental note to try and loose some
weight) gathered his gear and started tracking. A few feet past the point of impact
lay a totally bloodied arrow and a blood trail thick and at least two feet wide. The
buck had only made it about 60 yards before piling up right along side a farm road.
After giving thanks to the Creator for this gift and performing the required DNR
tagging, Jeff set about gutting his trophy. For once, things went well and the
cleaning was accomplished with a minimum of mess. Jeff then pushed off to get his
car, which had a deer carrier on the trailer hitch. That is when things went south.
If you ever handled a recently taken deer, you know they are like a huge bag of
Jell-O. Jeff tried for 20 minutes before giving up and going for help to load the
deer. His hunting partner swore Jeff must have rolled in the gut pile to be that
bloody!
Fast forward to the gun season and Tuesday of the hunt. The last live deer Jeff
had seen was the 8-point bow kill in Waupaca County. Now hunting on Nicolet
National Forest Land in Oconto County it was Tuesday and not one deer had he
seen yet.
But, then again running right at him came another buck; he got his 243 Caliber rifle
up, found the deer in the scope, noted it was a buck and fired. The deer gave a
surge, a stumble and ran toward Jeff about 35 yards away. In a real neat move,
Jeff jammed the bolt action real good and as the deer ran just a few feet from him
he did not know if he should throw the gun at the deer or try to tackle him. About
40 yards later the deer tipped over and a minute or two later, Jeff got the 243:
unstuck.
He climbed on his ATV, hauled up and tied down his wheelchair and motored off to
the deer to again start the thanking, tagging and cleaning process. This one did not
go as well as the bow buck. After getting the back half of the guts out, he was
straining forward to reach the lungs and heart when he half slipped out of the
wheelchair, So, now, Jeff’s head and shoulder rested against the rump of the deer
and both hands in the body cavity. Jeff had a good view behind him looking past
his armpit only to see a fresh steaming gut pile with a torn stomach for good
measure. As the chair started to slide away dropping him closer to the gut pile a
feeling of inevitable trouble settled around the scene. Jeff held on for another 30
seconds before crash landing squarely in the gut pile.
As long as his hands were still in the deer, he first finished removing the lungs and
heart and then slid off the guts onto clean but sleety wet mucky forest floor. In a
brilliant but unsuccessful attempt at minimizing spreading the mess, he took his
boots off, slid off his outer pants and then tried to get back in his wheelchair, which
he finally accomplished. After making a mental note to try and loose some weight,
he roped the deer to the ATV, mounted the machine and headed to the cabin, clean
clothes and the traditional shot of Jaeger Meister.
So, was it a good season? He only saw 5 deer but shot two 8-point bucks. If you
ask Jeff, he will tell you it was a fantastic season.