Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources held an all-instructor banquet at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc Aug. 29.

The banquet included volunteer instructors from Manitowoc and Kewaunee counties who teach hunter safety, bow hunter safety, ATV safety, snowmobile safety, boating safety and trapper education.

About a month prior to the banquet, DNR’s outdoor skills trainer, Kayla Sasse, asked me if I would consider presenting a 20-year certificate of appreciation to the family of the late John Decker, on behalf of the DNR.

John and I were friends since our days at Mishicot High School and he also taught ATV safety at the Maribel Sportsman’s Club, so I jumped at the chance.

John was certified to teach ATV safety for the DNR in 2002 and taught continuously for the next 20 years. He certified 1,204 students to properly ride an ATV. He averaged 60 students per year, but in 2008 certified 118 students.

In addition, John taught with the ATV Safety Institute. Those numbers are not tracked by the DNR, but we do know that number would be several hundred more students.

Read last week’s column:Manitowoc Rifle and Pistol Club hosts rummage sale, and more news in Bob Schuh’s outdoors report

No permanent tree stands allowed, Fish & Game says

At the March meeting of the Manitowoc County Fish & Game Protective Association Board of Directors, it was noted some individuals have been putting up permanent tree stands on county properties.

The association said no permanent tree stands are allowed on any properties overnight and all tree stands must be taken down each day after hunters are finished hunting.

The association said signs are posted that show all the property lines and tell hunters no permanent stands are allowed.

The association said any stands left up will be taken down and the board will determine what to do with them.

People can learn more at mantyfg.org.

Gun Club’s Shoot for Vets is Sept. 17

Manitowoc Gun Club, 3112 Clover Road, just south of Manitowoc, is holding its annual Shoot for Vets from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Sept. 17.

This is a 50-target Lewis Class event. The first 25 rounds will be 16-yard trap and the second 25 will be handicapped minimum from the 23-yard line.

The club will have food and raffles throughout the day. Proceeds will benefit the Manitowoc County Veterans Council. Contact Tom Schulz at 920-973-4905 for more details.

Reedsville Sportsmen’s Club’s Youth Trap Steak Fry Sept. 16

Reedsville Sportsmen’s Club will hold its Youth Trap Steak Fry from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 16.

Cost is $25 per ticket and includes a 16-ounce ribeye or chicken breast, baked potato, salad bar, dessert and one drink.

Only prepaid tickets will be guaranteed a steak.

Call Gerald Fischer at 920-901-3907 for tickets and more info. Proceeds will be used for the club’s youth trap program. Reedsville Sportsmen’s Club is 2 miles north of Reedsville on Pleasantview Road.

Rifle and Pistol Club to hold early-bird hunter rifle sight-in

Manitowoc Rifle and Pistol Club, 7227 Sandy Hill Lane, Two Rivers, just off Viceroy Road between State 42 and County O, will hold an early-bird hunter rifle sight-in from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 10.

The sight-in is particularly noted for youth hunters and hunters with disabilities since their seasons begin early, but it is open to anyone.

Clubs still have muzzleloader events on schedule

Maribel Sportsman’s Club and Viking Bow & Gun Club still have remaining muzzleloader events for 2023. All shoots start at 5 p.m.

The last shoot at Maribel is Oct. 2.

Shoots at Viking will be on the third Monday of each month, Sept. 18 and Oct. 16.

Shoots are open to beginners and experienced shooters. Take in your own muzzleloaders or just stop by to have any muzzleloading questions answered.

Fish & Game’s next meeting Sept. 13 will feature DA Jacalyn LaBre

Manitowoc Unit of Fish & Game’s next meeting is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at Lincoln Park Cabin No. 1.

Guest speaker will be Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre, who will update the group on legal proceedings in the area and take questions from those in attendance.

The meeting is open to the public and offers lunch and refreshments.

More Bob Schuh:Larrabee’s fall archery winners and more news in Bob Schuh’s Manitowoc outdoors report

Oct. 27, the Manitowoc Unit will bring back its popular Fish & Game Family Fun Night at 7 Lakes Golf and Dining. Scheduled for 4-9 p.m., the event is the club’s only fundraiser and will feature the full 7 Lakes Friday menu, with a portion of proceeds of each meal sold benefiting the unit. Raffles and drawings will also be included.

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 [email protected].