Men of the Outdoors

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Psalm 63:1 "O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land without water." Thoughts: As outdoorsmen, we tend to accumulate a lot of gear. From season-to-season different gear is needed, and it always seems to be the gear you can't find. Turkey calls, rangefinders, gloves, or some other random piece of gear always seem to be the one thing I can't find when I need it. Of course, the blame is always placed on my wife for moving my stuff; then I find it right where I left it, so I wouldn't lose it. The older I get, the more time it seems that I spend backtracking and wandering all over, attempting to find something that I have lost. And, if you're like me, the more time I spend looking, the more frustrated and determined I become to find it!  Action Point: There are too many times I find mysel...

  This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Deuteronomy 8:6-7 Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land -a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills. (NIV)  Thoughts: The land is flat and the woods are thick in northeast Maine. I was hunting with Tim, a buddy of mine. We stayed near a railroad bed and saw plenty of deer tracks. One day I decided to get off the tracks and go into the woods to see if I could push anything across to Tim. I was about 200 yd into the woods when I lost my sense of the direction I needed to return. I wandered around shouting, but the thick brush absorbed my voice. Finally, I heard a faint voice shouting back, and I headed toward that voice. Whether living in dense woods, a desert wilderness or by mountain streams, we all live in a moral wilderness. The Bi...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Deuteronomy 8:6-7    Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land -a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills. (NIV)  Thoughts: The land is flat and the woods are thick in northeast Maine. I was hunting with Tim, a buddy of mine. We stayed near a railroad bed and saw plenty of deer tracks. One day I decided to get off the tracks and go into the woods to see if I could push anything across to Tim. I was about 200 yd into the woods when I lost my sense of the direction I needed to return. I wandered around shouting, but the thick brush absorbed my voice. Finally, I heard a faint voice shouting back, and I headed toward that voice. Whether living in dense woods, a desert wilderness or by mountain streams, we all live in a moral wilderness. Th...

MOTO Northern Wisconsin Fishing Trip The recent fires in the Boundary Waters forced MOTO to cancel our planned trip to the wilderness. In leu of doing nothing we came up with Plan B. Our new plan was to fish a number of different lakes in the Northern Wisconsin area. The plan called to fish a variety for different type of lakes that would present different challenges. Day one we ventured to Bearskin Lake which is a 400 acre that holds musky’s, walleyes and panfish. We found the lake to have a lot of green algae which didn’t help our search for fish. We did manage to bag several fish but no were near enough for a meal. Day two we took off to the Willow Flowage which is a 5,000-acre flowage. The flowage has a variety of different structures; a number of islands and the Tomahawk River runs through the flowage. This was our biggest challenge with the flowage was the water level was down 8 feet. Virtually all of the structures were above the water and the only safe place to fish was in the ...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus. Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. NIV Thoughts; Go ahead and do it—no one will ever know; have you ever whispered this to yourself? Let’s face it; sportsmen face temptations: slip to the pond that no one fishes, cross the property line and go to a gobbling tom, take a shot at a buck just after legal shooting time, or ride an ATV across posted land. The temptations are numerous, and you have probably faced many in the outdoors. How have you handled these temptations? When I have met the lure of similar things, I’ve often wondered if anyone else knows what it’s like or fa...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Colossians 3:2  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. NIV. Thoughts: Turkey hunters spend a lot of time chasing spring gobblers, myself included. We think about it long before the season opens. We get up early mornings for pre-season scouting and listening to locate gobblers to hunt. And when the season arrives, we’re obsessed. We scout, put out trail cameras, burn vacation days at work, drive many miles, and do whatever it takes to try to fill our tags for the monarch of the spring—we put in the effort, and it’s our primary focus during the season. If you’re not a turkey hunter, you can swap turkey hunting for whatever your passion might be: deer, elk, duck, or pheasant hunting; maybe it’s fly fishing, camping, hiking, or any outdoor passion you enjoy. The point is, we focus on what we love to do. Action Point: I often ask myself whether I am hunting for Jesus with more...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Romans 6:23 (NASB) “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Thoughts: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological disease affecting deer, elk, moose, and other cervids. It is a prion disease, caused not by bacteria or viruses but by misfolded proteins the body cannot destroy. As prions build up, they damage brain tissue, leaving microscopic holes that give the brain a sponge-like appearance. This damage disrupts coordination, behavior, and the ability to eat and drink. The disease progresses slowly, during which infected animals may appear healthy while damage continues unseen. CWD is always fatal. There is no cure, vaccine, or natural immunity. Once symptoms such as extreme weight loss, loss of coordination, drooling, and abnormal behavior appear, death is inevitable. Prions persist in soil for years, allowing the disease...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Mark 7:5-13 – 5  So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” 6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain, their teachings are merely human rules.’[a] 8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” 9 And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe[b] your own traditions! (NIV©) Thoughts: Traditions. There are many in hunting and fishing. Get on a deep-sea fishing boat and break out a bunch of bananas to eat on your way to the fishing spot and old school Captains just might throw you overboard! At the least, the bananas are going away...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Ephesians 4:17-24 S o I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in Him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. NIV) Thoughts: As I read this Scr...

MOTO Annual Sight-In Event   Men of the Outdoors will host its annual Sight-In event on Saturday, September 5th at the Shooting Range at Lake Park in Shiocton.  We will start at 9:00 am with a devotion, with donuts, coffee, and juice.   We then have a short refresher on range rules, and then on to the range to sight-in your firearms.  The range fee is $10.00 per person shooting.  The daily fee is good to use at all ranges. The range consists of a 50 and 100, a 200/300/500-yard range (you can drive down with your trucks or cars), and a handgun range (18 yards) and an archery range with multiple stations for different situations. Covered shooting tables with stationary target stands are at each range.  We conclude the day with a brat luncheon around noon.  If you are interested in attending the event contact Ron Kueck at 920-250-5587. We are looking forward to seeing you on September 5th, for fellowship, food, and fun as we prepare for the hunting s...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Psalm 24:1-2 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. (NIV) Thoughts: While fishing off an arm of the Pigeon River in southeastern Manitoba, Canada, I came upon a massive beaver dam. I had to wonder - what purpose do all those logs and sticks serve besides a house for that beaver? I came to realize that, as always, God has a plan for everything, even sticks. The dam serves not only as shelter for the beaver; but because it retains the water on one side, water lilies and plants grow on the other. Moose come to dams to feed off those plants. Bears know to check the dams in the Spring for beavers that did not make it through the harsh winters. Life goes on, just as God established it. Action Point: When encountering something in nature that makes no sense to you, stop and try to see it from...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Matthew 11:28  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (NIV)  Thoughts: It was mid-September, and a buddy and I were floating skein (salmon eggs that are still attached to the membrane) under bobbers for king salmon at a river mouth outlet on Lake Michigan. We had landed a few smaller ones, but were trying for something bigger. My buddy’s float suddenly shot under the water and he set the hook - it was a good fish! It started ripping out line, the drag screaming! He was trying everything he could to turn that fish, but it was heading back to Lake Michigan! With the line on his spool rapidly decreasing, he took off down the river bank, essentially chasing after the fish. He did end up landing that fish, a really nice king salmon. But not without almost getting spooled! Have you ever felt like your life was almost spooled? Things constantly coming at ...

                    MOTO 2026 Sporting Clay Event Highlights   Our day was off to a good start with some nice weather and very few misquotes. We started by greeting each other and a light centennial breakfast. Our devotional thought for the event was based on Colossians 4:2 . The point of our devotion was the importance of prayer in our lives. Each participant received a Steve Chapman book “The Hunt for Faith – Finding God in the Great Outdoors” After some safety guidelines it was off to the course. The course wasn’t crowded and we were able to move along at a nice pace. The group was above the 50% when it came to hitting clay pigeons. After everyone completed the course and the dust settled, we were back at the club house for a very nice lunch prepared by J&H. After lunch a number of door prizes were given out and we had a little time for fellowship before everyone headed for home. As in prior year’s event, we had a nu...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: 2 Timothy 1:6-7   6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (NIV©) Thoughts: I am at a stage in my outdoors and shooting “career” that would best be described as being a mentor. Much of my time is spent instructing individuals on the safe and proper use of a firearm. I especially like to work with youngsters or new shooters. It’s always fun to watch someone that is a little timid or hesitant to fire the first round from a .22 rifle or pistol and to see both a smile and a look of amazement in their eyes that they did it! A few of times I’ve had youngsters or newbies freeze up and refuse to shoot a .22 rifle because they are afraid, primarily of recoil (I wonder where they got that idea…). In every case I was able...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Deuteronomy 30:19-20   “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witness against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (NIV) Thoughts: I remember thinking the good life was being a great hunter with trophies to show or having the latest rifle chambered in the best cartridge. After achieving these things, I see they don’t make my life any better. Are you wondering what the good life is? Do you feel that the promises of this world don’t last? Has anyone shared what the real good life is? Action Point: In John 1:4 we read “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind....

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Ephesians 6:1-4 -- Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a] 4 Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (NIV©)   Thoughts: I have this dog, a really big labrador retriever. He’s going on five years old this fall and lately I’ve noticed him going through what I call his teenage years. He’s a prankster and will often retrieve his ball only to throw it on the ground right in front of me rather than put it in my hand. Sometimes he’ll do these two or three times before handing me the ball (it’s actually kind of funny to see). But he also knows I won’t throw the ball again until he brings it to me and literally places it in my hand. My respo...

Men of the Outdoors is hosting its annual Sporting Clay Event at J&H Game Farm on Saturday morning, July 25 2026. J&H is located just off Highway 156 at W5810 J H Rd, Shiocton, WI, 54170.  Event Facts : The day starts at 9 AM with a Light Breakfast – Coffee and Doughnuts After a devotion and some logistics, it’s out to the course. The course has 10 different stations with a total of 50 targets. (J&H sells shells if you need them) After touring the course it’s time for fellowship and lunch. Lunch consists of Hamburgers, brats, chips, and baked beans. Cost per person - $40.00 For those who want to attend the event but won’t be shooting the cost is $20.00. If you plan to attend the event, please text Rich Platz at 715-250-0478 or email him at rplatz10@gmail.com . To help J&H prepare for the day, it would be greatly appreciated if you respond by Monday July 20 th . If you have a group, please provide the number in your group. Look forward to seeing  on July 25th ...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Proverbs 4:7,23  “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding… Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV) Thoughts: Anyone who spends time on the water knows how small things can steal a great day of fishing. A frayed knot. A dull hook point. A cracked rod guide. A weak swivel. Or the one we’ve all regretted—telling yourself, “It’ll probably hold,” right before losing the best fish of the season. One overlooked detail becomes the reason the story ends in frustration instead of a full cooler. And compromise works the same way. It rarely comes crashing in like a thunderstorm. It slips in quietly—half-truths, shortcuts, little moral “wiggles” we convince ourselves are harmless. But over time they wear us down just like a bad knot under too much pressure.  Action Point: Solomon is blunt: Get wisdom—Gua...

  Men of the Outdoors is hosting its annual Sporting Clay Event at J&H Game Farm on Saturday morning, July 25 2026. J&H is located just off Highway 156 at W5810 J H Rd, Shiocton, WI, 54170.  Event Facts : The day starts at 9 AM with a Light Breakfast – Coffee and Doughnuts After a devotion and some logistics, it’s out to the course. The course has 10 different stations with a total of 50 targets. (J&H sells shells if you need them) After touring the course it’s time for fellowship and lunch. Lunch consists of Hamburgers, brats, chips, and baked beans. Cost per person - $40.00 For those who want to attend the event but won’t be shooting the cost is $20.00. If you plan to attend the event, please text Rich Platz at 715-250-0478 or email him at rplatz10@gmail.com . To help J&H prepare for the day, it would be greatly appreciated if you respond by Monday July 20 th . If you have a group, please provide the number in your group. Look forward to seeing  on Jul...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Deuteronomy 12:15-16  Nevertheless, you may slaughter your animals in any of your towns and eat as much of the meat as you want, as if it were gazelle or deer, according to the blessing the Lord your God gives you. Both the ceremonially unclean and the clean may eat it. But you must not eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water. (NIV) Thoughts: I s it okay to be a hunter? Is it okay to kill an animal? Is it okay to eat the meat of animals? Does God approve or condemn these practices? These verses clearly sanction the slaughter and the consumption of animals for meat. Jesus ate fish while on the earth, and chose commercial fishermen to be among his apostles.  The animals are a part of the stewardship of the earth that God has given to humans. Specifically named in these verses are domestic and wild game animals. He approves the use of animals for meat, leather, and for labo...