8 bucks, 15 doe scored in Challenge the Outdoors hunt, and more in the latest Manitowoc outdoors report

Wisconsin’s deer hunt for people with disabilities was Oct. 5-13.

In the program, sponsored hunts take place on properties where landowners have registered. Every year, I hunt in one sponsored by Challenge the Outdoors.

CTO signs up land to hunt all over northeast Wisconsin, including in Manitowoc County. This makes it easier for people living here instead of running to Shawano County, where the first hunts originated.

This year, 37 hunters took to the woods with CTO trying to fill the freezer with venison. Hunters shot 23 deer in total — eight bucks and 15 doe.

In Manitowoc County, seven hunters took part with CTO and shot three bucks and four doe for a 100% success rate. I was one of those lucky hunters, as I took a fat doe on Wednesday of the hunt.

Check out ctoforme.org to see all the activities CTO offers.

Read last week's column: Manitowoc outdoors report has latest on Gun Club banquet, Camp Sinawa Fall Family Day, fall colors and more.

Besadny Anadromous Fisheries Facility provides fun day

Oct. 12 was a fun day. Mary and I picked up our neighbors, Kenny and Patty Marsicek, and headed for the Besadny Anadromous Fisheries Facility on the Kewaunee River.

We arrived about 10 a.m. The facility was buzzing with excitement from both kids and adults. Many displays showed Great Lakes fish and how to identify them by species. They had displays from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Northeastern Wisconsin Great Lakes Sport Fishermen and even animals in cages from NEW Zoo.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources personnel were stripping the eggs and milt from the salmon to take to the Wild Rose Fish Hatcheries for next year’s releases into Lake Michigan.

Extra eggs over and above what the DNR needs are shipped to Washington state and get made into spawn sacks for bait.

Fish that are in good shape are cleaned and used for human consumption, but those that are already black in color are released back into the river to continue their journey upriver.

The last time I visited the facility was in the 1990s, and things have really changed. The whole facility is set up as an educational experience. The parking area is about three-tenths of a mile away, but the Davister family had a team of horses with a wagon taking people to and from the parking area. The horse-drawn wagon ride was just as exciting for the kids as seeing the fish, especially for the youngsters who sat up front with the driver on the lines.

Glacial Lakes Conservancy invites volunteers to help manage invasive species

Glacial Lakes Conservancy has a pair of upcoming opportunities for volunteers.

First, from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 10, GLC will be at Grasshopper Hill Preserve on East Shoreland Road in Elkhart Lake cutting and treating buckthorn, an invasive species that has been taking over the property.

Then, from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 16, GLC will be at Hunner Preserve on East County Road BB in Denmark for cutting and treating honeysuckle, an invasive species GLC has been controlling on the property.

Seasoned volunteers and newcomers alike are welcome to participate, GLC said. The organization provides gloves, some water to refill water bottles and sunscreen/bug spray. Those attending are advised to wear sturdy boots or shoes, long pants and a long-sleeve shirt. RVSP to miriam@glaciallakes.org .

Blessing of the hunters set at St. Francis of Assisi

Mark your calendars as St. Francis of Assisi Parish Waldo Site, 1121 N. 14th St., will hold a blessing of the hunters Nov. 19.

Mass and blessing are at 5 p.m. A free chili luncheon will be in the Social Hall afterward. Chili, dessert and beverages are included. Free-will offerings will be accepted.

A raffle will be held for the chance to win a $250 gift card to Fleet Farm. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.

Attendees are welcome to wear their hunting gear.

Mishicot club to host snowmobile safety course

Kettle Range Snow Riders will hold a snowmobile safety course at Mishicot Sportsmen’s Club, 13804 Jambo Creek Road, Mishicot.

Classes will run Oct. 22 and 24, both from 6 to 8:45 p.m., and finish up on from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Oct. 26.

Register at gowild.wi.gov .

That’s it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.

Outdoors columnist Bob Schuh’s “Scoping the Great Outdoors” column appears each Sunday in the Herald Times Reporter. He can be reached at 920-682-3106 or bobschuh@lsol.net .

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: 8 bucks, 15 doe scored in Challenge the Outdoors hunt, and more in the latest Manitowoc outdoors report