An Outdoorsman’s Journal

By: Mark Walters

KAMO Bear Hunt

Hello friends, This week’s column is about some hard work in an attempt to get a couple of teenagers, Dylan Pangburn and Chase Flietner, both of New Lisbon, their first black bear. Kids and Mentors Outdoors has a strong chapter in the New Lisbon/Necedah area. “The Meadow Valley Chapter” and the members came up with an idea to do a Learn to Hunt for black bear. James Newlun and Kevin Peterson who own and operate Scenic Bluffs Outfitters and are a solid part of Meadow Valley did an excellent job of making this project work.

Dylan Pangburn is a senior at New Lisbon High School and when he graduates. He wants to become an auto mechanic. Dylan goes to a lot of the chapter meetings and is also very active in the New Lisbon High School Fishing Club which is an off shoot of KAMO. Chase Flietner is in 8th grade and he loves to hunt and fish. Actually the day after one of our hunts Chase was going on his first date and he was taking his date fishing.

The main reason I decided to write a column on this is because for the boys as well as Kevin and James, this was an entire summer project. They were required to run baits at least once a week, which in this case meant running 15 that are throughout the Juneau and Monroe County areas.

There were other KAMO members that helped and they were Aaron Bigalke and Bob Nicksic. Bob and Dylan had so much fun that Bob took Dylan on a Canadian fishing trip. If you can see where I am going with all of this, KAMO is trying to create an outdoor atmosphere for Wisconsin’s youth in each of the six parts of Wisconsin where we have chapters. The boys loved the baiting and the adventure of it which meant lots of bear and wolf experiences, lots of sweating, and many good memories created at the Cranberry Country Cafe in Warrens. The cafe is owned and operated by Kevin ad Traci Peterson. It is a very interesting place to have a meal as it is also a museum dedicated to the cranberry industry.

The Meadow Valley chapter purchased 2, two man tree stands and also a couple of cellular trail cameras. As you can see this was a 4 month project that did not come without expenses.

Chase and Dylan had an entire summer and early fall of holy moly type of pictures coming across their phones and though I was mostly on the side lines for this project it was very satisfying to hear how both kids and mentors evolved in such a positive way.

So in reality, Bob, Aaron, James and myself sat with the young hunters as this was a Learn to Hunt and we were all teachers. Kevin would drop us off near the baits and for Chase there were 11 nights in a tree and I believe 4 for Dylan. Dylan was sitting with James Newlun when a real nice bear came in and he did exactly what he was supposed to do and harvested his first bear.

Chase had a chance. In his case the bear lived to see another day but he did harvest 2 deer during The Youth Deer Hunt.

I spent 5 afternoons and evenings in trees with Chase and Dylan and it was very cool to see what KAMO members had made happen.

KAMO is always open to starting new chapters, finding new mentors and helping introduce our youth to the outdoors. You can check us out at www.kamokids.org Sunset

Mark and Dylan during the Learn to Hunt for black bear.

Dylan Pangburn with a nice black bear he harvested during the Learn to Hunt for black bear.

Chasing black bears was a fun and exciting time for all involved.