The Manitowoc chapter of Wisconsin Deerhunters is helping out Vietnam veterans by donating a 0.40-caliber Smith and Wesson Sigma Series pistol for its benefit dance. The pistol will be just one of many silent auction items at the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 731's 14th annual Veterans Day benefit dance on Saturday at the Big Apple Pub and Grill in Rockwood. The dance is in honor of veterans of all wars.

Beaker Street will play music from 6 to 8:30 p.m., and the featured band, Oil Can Harry, will play from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. A raffle with a top prize of $1,500 will be drawn at midnight. The public is invited.

Gun winners

The Manitowoc County Fish and Game Protective Association recently had its annual fundraising banquet at the Club Bil-Mar. About 750 people attending had the chance to win thousands of dollars worth of guns and sporting items. This is the group's largest fundraiser of the year, and proceeds go toward conservation projects in Manitowoc County.

Gun sight-in

Maribel Sportsmen's Club will offer a supervised gun sight-in day from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The public is welcome. A range fee of $5 per gun will be requested. Knowledgeable people with muzzleloader, rifle and shotgun experience will be on site. Bring your gun and ammunition; the club will have most everything else. If you have questions, contact the range master at maribel sportsmansclub@tm.net. Maribel Sportsmen's Club is next to Intersate 43, Exit 164, Wisconsin 147, Maribel.

Buck Fever Night

Buck Fever Night 2009 will be Nov. 11 at the Club Bil-Mar, just south of Manitowoc on County CR. The show will be from 5 to 9 p.m., with many venders showing their products. Stan Zirbel of the Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young clubs will be on hand to score your deer antlers and bear skulls. The Department of Natural Resources laser shooting range will be available, as well as the local Wall of Shame. Bring the whole family and enjoy tasting samples of sausages, hot sticks and more from local meat markets.

Andy Pantzlaff, spokesman for the Northeast Wisconsin Concerned Deer Hunters, will be the featured speaker, talking about the proposed season structure for the 2010 deer hunting season. I will have more on this event in next week's column.

Fish fry

The Kettle Range Snow Riders will host a fish fry Friday at the Mishicot Vet's Club, 314 W. Main Street, Mishicot. Serving will be from 4:30 to 8 p.m. The fish fry will feature a choice of fresh perch, walleye, haddock, seafood combo and chicken tenders. All meals include potato salad or french fries, cole slaw and rye bread. Homemade desserts are available. For carry-outs, call (920) 755-2234. The public is welcome.

Gun Club banquet

The Manitowoc Gun Club will hold its 26th annual banquet on Saturday at the Club Bil-Mar. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and a sit-down dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25 per person. There also is a $50 package deal where you get $75 worth of tickets. For tickets or information, contact Brian Schulz at (920) 682-9033.

Deer comments

People can still present written comments to the DNR regarding the 2010 deer hunting season structure. Written statements carry the same weight as the oral statements that were given at the hearings. Send your comments to: Keith Warnke, Bureau of Wildlife Management, P. O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Warnke also can be reached by calling (608) 264-6023 or e-mailing warnkk@dnr.state.wi.us. Comments can be submitted through Tuesday. Be sure to copy in your state senator and representative so they also know your thoughts on this important issue.

Open trap

The Whitelaw Sportsmen's Club will have open trap Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. Also, mark your calendars for Dec. 12, the date for the club's annual rabbit hunt. I will have more on that as the time grows closer.

That's it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.

Contact Bob Schuh at (920) 682-3106.