Early every December the KAMO group hosts one of the largest Learn To Hunt events in the state. It is the state-wide anterless deer hunt and the MacKenzie Center near Poynette becomes a headquarters of activity for dozens of mentors and their mentees.
The hunt acquired the title “The Joe” in honor of the late Joe Stecker-Kochanski (July, 2012). Joe was the Wisconsin DNR’s long time manager of the Buckhorn State Park and was active in the Baraboo Chapter of KAMO. Thanks to Joe’s vision and hard determination, a hunt got established at Mac Kenzie. The event continues annually through the hard work of the Baraboo and Lake Wisconsin Chapters along with Wisconsin D.N.R. staff and local property owners DMAP program).
2023 Joe Hunt pictures:
Photos from the 2022 Joe Hunt:
The continuation of this tradition impacts many young people and their families.
The 2019 Joe Hunt in pictures:
A mentor/mentee pair in a blind at the 2018 Joe:
Pictures from 2018 below (2 pages) are of hunting participants Dominick Richards of La Crosse, left and Colton Kittle, right. Bingo night at the MacKenzie Center. Winner of the .243, Zoelyn Peterson of Onalaska. Tom Madsen, KAMO advocate and DMAP participant shown in group photo (red stocking cap) and standing next to youth with deer on the snow. Thanks Tom, for sharing your time. employees,and property with the KAMO group to make this hunt our Cadillac event of the year.
Part of the DMAP program is an option for the landowner to request a work activity from the hunting/land use group. On page two are several photos taken during a 2019 DMAP work day event. For more DMAP information, contact Bob Nack of the Wisconsin DNR.
