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nization in 2007 by sportspeople who had a common interest in supporting outdoor sports in the local area. By volunteering and fundraising to support these activities, CWF3 gets outdoor athletes involved in their community and ensures that the funds raised are used for a plethora of local causes that support this mission.

CWF3 also aims to educate the public on the best practices they can take to leave the great outdoors better than they found it, and to protect, renew and build safe habitats for all creatures to flourish. They promote safety and ethical sportsmanship among their members and to the public by informing and modeling best practices.

CWF3 members fund projects to make the outdoors accessible and safe for everyone.

Board members include Jesse Kittl, Joe Lemmermaker, Chad Pagelsdorf, Eric Totzke, Chris Brandner, Chris Esselman and Matt Schnabel. Kittl said past CWF3 experiences have included disabled hunts for deer, turkey, pheasant, and hog, plus numerous fishing trips. They have helped with docks at Sportsman's Lake and have assisted in stocking fish.

CWF3 is also involved in youth archery and trap shooting. CWF3 has monthly meetings, which rotate in area businesses and homes. Their main fundraiser is the annual banquet held on the second weekend in March. There are 180 tickets sold for the event. Pagelsdorf said you can go to their CWF3 website to get on a ticket waiting list.

He said the club tries to keep things local, purchasing meat, groceries and other supplies from area vendors. He emphasized that in Travis’ disabled hunt and other similar events, there is no money out of pocket for families.

LLM will pay for venison processing and a head mount, with CWF3 paying all other expenses, including lodging and the wonderful steak and shrimp dinner for family members held on Saturday evening.

“It is important for us to sponsor a nice family experience, bringing everyone together in a relaxing atmosphere and having some fun,” Kittl said.

CWF3 encourages people to contact them about providing a special outdoors experience for disabled people and others, including veterans.

“Sometimes, when we find candidates, especially veterans, they say there has to be someone more deserving than me,” Kittl said.

He said the best ways to contact CWF3 are via email at info@cfw3.com or by phone at 715-316-1599.

LLM is a non-profit organization providing lodging, recreation and hunting to physically challenged individuals. It provides periods of respite and relief by incorporating the natural resources of Little Lakes Ranch and Lodge.

The hunting experience creates lifetime memories for people and their families. It revitalizes a feeling of accomplishment for those like Travis who would otherwise be unable to successfully participate in hunting. LLM offers these opportunities at no cost, often in partnership with other organizations, allowing financially-challenged families to participate.

The officers and board members of LLM are all unpaid volunteers. They share the goal of providing lifetime memories for as many families as possible.

The lodge is two stories. A ramp takes you to a large deck that overlooks the preserve. The sliding glass door is wide enough to provide wheelchair access. The main level has a fireplace, large living room and kitchen. Bedrooms are located in the loft area.

During Travis’ hunting experience, the lodge was unavailable, so arrangements were made to house his family members and sponsors at a spacious Airbnb a few miles from the 110-acre enclosed hunting preserve.

For more information about LLM or to obtain a disabled hunting application form, contact board president Dick Busha at dickbusha@ gmail.com or at 715-218-1522.

Travis holds daughter Claire surrounded by family and CWF3 members and their wives after the hunt on Saturday evening.

PHOTO BY TODD SCHMIDT