Wild Game Dinner 2005

Wild Boar Sausage, Buffalo Roasts and Salmon Dip - Second Annual Wild Game Dinner will host up to 400 Men and Youth to be Entertained and Win Great Outdoorsmen Equipment

A huge sell out crowd is anticipated for the second annual Wild Game Dinner at the Fortuna Riverlodge November 4 2005, doors opening at 5:30 PM.    Nationally known hunter/entertainer Dr. Tom Rakow, will be the headliner and a local band will be featured along with a great wild game meal.  The Christian Outdoorsmen of Humboldt, event coordinators, have also purchased and received donations of a combination of 50 guns, bows, and rod/reel combos all to be given or raffled to attendees.  Far more is going home with kids and adults than all this, for a 90cc quad ATV will be given to a youth and a Winchester Super X2 Camo Shotgun to an adult.  Every youth will receive something and no one goes home empty handed.

More than cool outdoorsmen equipment will be taken home by participants at the event, for local outdoorsmen are offering (giving away free) a large variety of hunting and fishing trips for youth or adults that will take place in the coming months.  Also, many people will make connections for their own hunts or secret fishing spots and baits or how to get on this list or that one.  Some amazing outdoorsmen will be present early to share mounts and highlights of hunts.  "We live in a beautiful area where sportsmen can enjoy the outdoors without having to drive hours just to get out of the city," says Jeff Beltz event leader, "So while we have these opportunities, we hope to enjoy them together."

A group of Christian sportsmen, led by Fortuna residents Beltz, Scott Neitzke and Carlotta resident John Church, decided to create the "Christian Outdoorsmen of Humboldt" and the "Wild Game Dinner" to stimulate friendships and networking of all outdoor sportsmen, to encourage involvement with sons and daughters and enjoy the beauty of nature by all people whether church-goers or not.  "We are working for a stronger community by re-uniting families with the great outdoors," is one stated goal of the group.

The dinner costs only $35 per person, for the group has acquired many sponsors to make the evening affordable.  Many people will walk out with something special and everybody will get something in addition to a great meal and experience.  The leaders have invited adults and youth from the community and encouraged Christian men to invite anyone interested so that all can have a great night and make positive connections, irrespective of religious affiliations.  Tickets are easily acquired by visiting: U.S. Bank Fortuna, Grundman's in Rio Dell, Becker's Insurance in Ferndale, Ryan Fray State Farm in Eureka and the Hydesville Community Church in Hydesville.

The entertainment of the evening; beyond winning something cool, a wild meal and music, is guest Tom C. Rakow.  "More than three decades ago (at the ripe-old-age of 11) Tom poached his first deer with a twenty-two caliber rifle."  Tom is now an avid, (and legal), hunter and author of several hunting books.  He is a hilarious story teller.  His books include: "Confessions of a Poacher," "Raccoon Hunting Basics" and "Self-Inflicted Hunting Arguments," really!  Tom comes to us from Silver Lake, MN.

If the evening makes a profit, any and all the proceeds will go right back into events and equipment for youth and adults to use to gain skills and have fun out in Creation.  No salaries are paid, everyone is a volunteer.  "After last year's sell out dinner, we were able to buy 6 Genesis youth bows, targets, arrows and a clay pigeon thrower," according to Jeff Beltz a leader in the group.  "Further" said Beltz, "We sponsored may kids and dads for a weekend of training and contests that also included paintball, a high ropes challenge course, Frisbee golf and a nature course all at Triumphant Life Camp in addition to trap shooting, angling and archery."

The Wild Game Dinner itself will have a variety of game served in a facility decked out to the "nine" in a camping theme provided by the Laurie Simmons of the Primitive Knot.  Additionally there will be many amazing mounts from local and far away and outdoorsmen to share their adventures.  Local chefs and caterers are donating time, talents and recipes to keep the cost down and "because it is fun" said Carmen Nietzke of the Perfect Palette who is helping with the dinner.  Appetizers, dinner, dessert and non alcoholic drinks and more are included in the one price.

The Wild Game Dinner last year sold out quickly and actually made a profit!  The funds were used to buy 6 Genesis Bows and an Atlas clay pigeon thrower.  Both and more were used as part of efforts to get youth motivated for outdoor sports and to get quality dads and men to spend time with them there.

The Christian Outdoorsmen of Humboldt have held other events for youth and adults like the Spring Outdoorsmen weekend at TLC or Triumphant Life Camp near Dinsmore.  People were trained and also competed at various levels for trap shooting, target rifle shooting, Archery, and casting.  There was also a high ropes challenge course available and paintball.  It was great to see kids shoot a bow for the first time at even hit a bull's eye.  One young lady was excited to shoot a paintball at her dad.  One boy was offered $10 to climb (With safety ropes attached) to the top of the 45 foot climbing tower by his dad.  "He has not stopped climbing since then and now fearless though just nine years old."

Another weekend Spring retreat is planned for 2006 and details are coming together for a weeklong Outdoorsmen camp in which youth and even adults would gain significant proficiency in their various disciplines being trained by accomplished bow and riffle hunters, shotgun marksmen and also anglers.  Sign ups for both of these popular events will be kicked-off at the Nov 4 Wild Game Dinner.  Perhaps one of the best parts of these events is seeing kids proudly wear their "Champion" shirts to school after many scored high in various events.

Many local businesses and individuals have donated outdoorsmen related items including riffles and shotguns, bows and rods and reels.  At least 50 of items will be in the raffle!  "Everybody will go home with something cool," says leader Jeff Beltz, "and a few will go home with something very special."  The two grand door prizes, the ATV and the Winchester, are sponsored by Redway Racing in Redway, Grundmann's Sporting Goods in Rio Dell and the Harlan E. Beltz memorial.  Additionally, several hunts have been donated for youth and adults by local landowners and guides/outfitters.

Prizes, giveaways and raffles are not the main focus of the evening, but will add a lot of excitement and fun and will help fund further events, retreats, prizes, and clubs that are planned.  Several 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.  Last year their were crouching leopards, giant bears and more on display.

Tickets are likely to sell out fast as the success of the last year's event propels the event to "epic" status for local dads who desire to spend a great positive and fun night with their kids and other dads.  The least the evening is delicious and fun.  Many men are buying entire table so that they can bring their kids and friends too.

For additional information check out the website: www.ChristianOutdoorsmen.org or 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.