Hometown Hero Outdoors (HHO) Wisconsin Chapter recently hosted a two-day pheasant hunting and sporting clays event for ten veterans at Woods & Meadows Sporting Clays & Hunting Preserve. The event combined competitive shooting, guided pheasant hunts, catered meals, and meaningful fellowship — all centered around connection, camaraderie, and mental wellness.
The weekend highlighted the mission of Hometown Hero Outdoors: supporting veterans through structured outdoor experiences that foster resilience, peer support, and renewed perspective.
Day One: Sporting Clays and Field Hunt
Veterans arrived Friday afternoon and kicked off the event with a round of sporting clays at the preserve’s heated five-stand. Participants were divided into two groups for a friendly competition, with each group awarding a prize to its top shooter.
Following pizza and fellowship at the clubhouse, participants transitioned to the afternoon pheasant hunt. The groups split into separate fields, each featuring a designated “money bird” marked by Woods & Meadows. Veterans who harvested the money bird received a gift card donated by Saratoga Mini Mart along with HHO swag.
Guides ensured a safe and professional hunt:
- Group One: Field staff Jacob Kenowski with two Verein Deutsch-Drahthaars
- Group Two: Volunteer guide Nick Haas with two Labrador Retrievers
The day concluded with a catered dinner from Woodland’s Catering, featuring beef tips, mashed potatoes, green beans, and fresh buns. Overnight lodging was generously provided in the farmhouse donated by Woods & Meadows.
Day Two: Breakfast, Hunt, and Fellowship
Saturday began with a catered breakfast at the clubhouse, including omelets, hashbrowns, sausage, coffee, and orange juice.
Veterans once again divided into two groups for the second day’s pheasant hunt. Each field included another marked money bird, with the same prize structure as Day One.
After the hunt, participants gathered in the clubhouse while birds were cleaned and packaged by field staff Kenowski and Woods & Meadows personnel. Harvested pheasants were evenly divided among the veterans before the weekend concluded with fellowship and reflection.
Community Support Made It Possible
This two-day veteran pheasant hunt was made possible through strong community partnerships:
- Woods & Meadows Sporting Clays & Hunting Preserve – Facility access, lodging, field support, donation of sporting clays and ammunition, and discounted bird rates
- Saratoga Mini Mart – Donation of gift cards for money bird prizes
- Woodland’s Catering – Catered meals for both days
- Volunteer Guide Nick Haas – Dog handling and field guidance
- Marshfield Firefighters Local 1021 – Significant monetary donation enabling the event
These partnerships demonstrate the collective commitment to supporting veterans beyond their service.
Event Outcomes
- Ten veterans participated in a safe, structured outdoor experience
- Participants engaged in skill-building, recreation, and peer connection
- The event strengthened community relationships across Wisconsin
- Veterans left with renewed camaraderie and meaningful shared memories
Through events like this Wisconsin pheasant hunt, Hometown Hero Outdoors continues to create intentional spaces where veterans can reconnect with purpose, community, and the outdoors.
