Wild Game Dinner 2004

Wild Game Dinner with hunter/comedian Justin Fennel from Georgia is planned by local group

The Christian Outdoorsmen of Humboldt

At 6 PM, November 12, the Fortuna Riverlodge will find 200 to 300 hunters and anglers joined together for a night of unique food, entertainment, giveaways, raffles, blue grass music and great stories.  The grand door prize which will be given to some attendee just for coming is an Engraved Ruger Red Label Over/Under all weather 12 gauge shotgun.

A group of Christian men led by Fortuna residents, Jeff Beltz and Scott Neitzke decided to create the group and dinner to stimulate friendships and networking of all outdoor sportsmen, encourage involvement with sons and enjoy the beauty of nature by all people whether church-goers or not.  The dinner costs only $25 per person as the group has acquired many sponsors to make the evening affordable.  The leaders have invited many people from the community and encouraged Christian men to invite anyone so that all can have a great night and make connections irrespective of religious affiliations.  Tickets are easiest acquired by calling one of the sponsors, the Hydesville Community Church at 707-768-3767.

The entertainment of the evening is Justin Fennel a "hilarious good ole Georgia Boy" who grew up hunting and fishing and has entertained thousands across the nation with his stories of times in the wild with family and friends.  Fennel a veteran of wild game dinners says that he is never sure of what is going to be served at these dinners and once asked a dinner leader what he hunted with.  Fennels says, "He told me,' A 63' Plymouth.  You know those deer whistles you put on cars to scare the deer away? Well, if you turn them around you're eating meat all winter.'"  Fennell is a hilarious story teller.

More than guns and equipment will be given away including a variety of hunts, fishing trips and even abalone dives that will take place in the coming months.  Many local businesses and individuals have donated outdoorsmen related items including shotguns and rifles that will be either given, raffled or "silent auctioned" off.  "Everybody will go home with something cool," says leader Jeff Beltz, "And a few will go home with something very special."  The $2,000.  Grand Door Prize was paid for by Beltz' family members in honor of their father, Harlan E Beltz.  There will also be 3 big raffle packages for angers, bow hunters and rifle hunters.  Each package will retail well over $1,000.

The Wild Game Dinner itself will have a variety of game served and also at least one more traditional entrée so that all have a great dinning experience.  Local chefs and caterers are donating time, talents and recipes to keep the cost down and "because it is fun" said on local catering company owner and wife of one of the leaders.  Food, dessert and non alcoholic drinks, including a coffee bar is included in the one price.

The Christian Outdoorsmen of Humboldt have other events planned like training and competitions for archers, trap shooters, salt and freshwater fishermen, and more.  A retreat for men and their kids is scheduled at the Triumphant Life Camp (TLC) for April 22-23 where there will be competitions, awards and some positive teaching for all campers.  "One of the best parts of making new friends who have the same interests," says Beltz, "is that we find new places and new people to enjoy our sports with.  Since planning this event I have been invited onto private land for hunts and I believe others will make good connections also."

Prizes, giveaways and raffles are not the main focus of the evening, but will add a lot of excitement and fun and may also help fund further prizes, clubs and retreats that are planned.  A few local hunters have agreed to bring some mounts from both the states and international hunts, so attendees are invited to come early or stay late to see the mounts and visit with the hunters who brought them in. Future dinners or events may include taxidermists, sporting goods suppliers and other outdoorsmen oriented retailers and companies to show their products and to offer clinics to educate young and seasoned veterans of outdoorsmen sports.

For additional information call Jeff Beltz at 707-768-3767

Photos of 2004 Wild Game dinner and Spring Outdoorsmen retreat (2005) where proceeds from the dinner paid for equipment, prizes and more.