Here’s the tale of “How the buck known as the ‘Mishicot Monster’ made his fatal mistake,” as told by Dave Paplham, of Mishicot.

Nov. 3 was a very lucky day for me. My kids and I had spent uncountable hours hunting this well-known area buck known as the “Mishicot Monster.”

After three years of hunting him, he finally made a mistake at 8:10 Friday morning. After doing a doe bleat call, he came crashing in and gave me a 12-yard, broadside, double-lung shot from my ground blind.

The 7.5- to 8.5-year-old buck had a tough life: a broken and bent – but healed – hind leg and an arrow shaft through his chest, also completely healed.

An official measurer, Bucky Ihlenfeldt, scored him at 186-5/8 gross and 181-3/8 net.

Still in awe I had a chance to harvest this great buck in Manitowoc County.

Last week’s column:Manitowoc hunters score rare blue geese, and more in the latest outdoors report

Latest from Fish & Game includes talk of invasives, scholarships and banquet proceeds

During the December meeting of Manitowoc County Fish & Game Protective Association, Lt. Bob Stroess spoke to the directors.

Stroess had been the game warden in Manitowoc County years ago but now is an investigator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. His talk was very interesting. He told us about the invasive species brought into our state. Some of the invasives are live crayfish and fish species that can hurt and take over a body of water if released into the wild.

Elmer Schill told us about the Fish & Game Memorial Park and memorial bricks that will be laid in spring. If you want to purchase a brick in memory of someone, go to mantyfg.org, print out the form and get it back to Elmer before Feb. 1.

Fish & Game will again be offering two $2,500 scholarships in 2024. These applications are also on the Fish & Game website for download along with all the details.

Manitowoc County Fish & Game Banquet Chairman Dan Becker told us we had a very successful banquet in October. A check for $50,000 was turned over to Fish & Game Treasurer Randy Peters. This money will be used in Manitowoc County throughout the year on conservation projects. Without the support of all the banquet participants and prize donors, we would not be able to do projects in our county.

FORWARD Endowment application deadline is Dec. 31

The FORWARD Endowment, the Manitowoc County trust established to fund projects focused on hunting, fishing, conservation and related education, has announced it will begin accepting requests for its 2023 funding cycle.

FORWARD stands for “Friends of Resources, Wildlife and Recreational Development.” It was founded by the Manitowoc Unit of Manitowoc County Fish & Game. It is now supported by a combination of funding from area sporting clubs and private donations.

Manitowoc County Fish & Game Protective Association has been a major supporter of the fund through its annual banquet proceeds each year.

The FORWARD Endowment has announced the 2023 grant season is under way, celebrating its 30th year. Approximately $9,000 in total funding will be available for this giving cycle.

They will accept applications for grants through Dec. 31.

Selection of grants will be made at the Gift Committee’s meeting in March 2024. The date will allow the Gift Committee to have accurate information about the funds available from the trust, which is managed by Associated Bank. Leede Research is again coordinating the gifting process and aiding in filling grant request materials. A simple application form asks for details of the requests and organization.

Both hard projects and related education programs are eligible for grants. While the endowment notes it understands the stress the pandemic has placed on many organizations, its charter does not allow for the funding of budget shortfalls or operations.

Projects must have public benefit and tie to hunting, fishing and conservation – and must be based in Manitowoc County.

The group has automated the applications, which are available at mantyfg.org.

Contact emails can be sent to mantyfg071@gmail.com.

The FORWARD Endowment has provided more than $145,000 in grants to projects and groups in Manitowoc County, representing completed projects.

FORWARD is a 501(c)(3). Donors can make checks payable to The FORWARD Endowment c/o Associated Bank. Only interest incomes from the fund are spent so the fund will continue to grow and be there for future generations. Memorial or estate planning gifts are possible with the fund. Those making end-of-year charitable donations are invited to consider the fund.

For more information, email mantyfg071@gmail.com.

More Bob Schuh:Click here for more ‘Scoping the Great Outdoors’

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish all the readers of this column a very Merry Christmas. Here’s hoping Santa brings you all of your Christmas wishes.

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