The HHAUSA Podcast

I am a firm believer in divine appointments and six or seven years after our meeting, Seth Baranowski is too. From the first conversation I had with Seth at a fundraising shoot for the Never Forgotten Honor Flight in Weston Wisconsin, I knew that I had a new friend. Now one of the men in my inner circle, thankful is an understatement in describing how I feel about God bringing him and his family into my life.  He has been a blessing to me, to the archery community and to HHAUSA in so many ways.

Fresh off his second trip to the ATA Show, we chat about our week in St. Louis, the Target The Heart Prayer Breakfast, his involvement with HHAUSA and his heart for serving others.

The entire Baranowski family, Emmy, Landon, Melissa and Seth, all enjoy archery and the outdoors and it's not uncommon to see all four of them at our events during the summer. They've also added another member to their crew in a young man who lost his father. Seth's servant heart wanted to step up and after asking the boy's mother, he put a bow in his hand. 

Stories like these are what make our HHAUSA family so special. We all have busy lives but make the time to impact the lives of others. Seth has aspirations to one day start his own nonprofit to come alongside children who have lost a parent and to introduce them to the outdoors. When he does go down that road, I know that he will be successful and lives will be changed in the same way that my good friend has changed mine.

His passion for the outdoors, involvement with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, S3DA, HHAUSA and others make it pretty clear that he's not just here as a spectator. With an infectious smile, talk to anyone demeanor and a heart of gold, every organization needs a Seth Baranowski on their team and we are thankful to have him in ours.

You can find Seth on Facebook and Instagram and more than likely at most, if not all, of our 2024 HHAUSA events here in Wisconsin.

For more information about HHAUSA, learn how you can support our mission, or attend an event, visit www.hhausa.org

To purchases HHAUSA hats, tees and hoodies, visit www.hhasports.com

HHAUSA Partner Discount Codes

Hot Shot      15% Off   Code: HHAPartner24
Rugid Gear  10% Off  Code: HHAUSA10
StealthRig   15% Off   Code: Stealth15  

Approaching my brother over a decade about about getting a couple of our youth sights for his kids, who knew how close Nathan Mathwig and I would be today? No, that's not a rhetorical question. God did.

Now one of the core volunteers of our growing nonprofit, Mathwig has become much more than a friend to me, he's a brother. Seeing each other a half dozen times a year at our events across the state of Wisconsin, we have spent plenty of time with one another to form a bond that will last beyond this lifetime. 

Rooming with him five years ago at DeerFest in August of 2019, that weekend was the beginning of something so much bigger than archery. A shared love of the Veteran community, the outdoors, and eventually our faith in God, I look forward to any opportunity I can get to spend time with my friend.

Such an opportunity presented itself a few weeks back as he made the trip with me and our close friend Seth Baranowski to the 2024 Archery Trade Association Show in St. Louis. To say that it was a life changing weekend for all of us would not do it justice. God showed up in a big way and lives were changed as the three of us sat back and marveled at how awesome our Creator is and that He enlisted three sinners like us to do His work together.

This was a great podcast and editor Logan Chartrand remarked to me when he sent the episode over how passionate and spirited the conversation was. I've said it before and I'll say it again, HHAUSA would not be in existence today if it were not for men like Nathan Mathwig answering the call to serve those who serve our country. It is a blessing to be in the trenches with him each weekend and seeing lives transformed through the sport of archery. Thank you for all that you do my friend, you are a blessing to me and so many others!

You can find Nathan on Facebook and Instagram and track him down at one of our 3D shoots here in The Badger State in 2024.

For more information about HHAUSA, learn how you can support our mission, or attend an event, visit www.hhausa.org

To purchases HHAUSA hats, tees and hoodies, visit www.hhasports.com

HHAUSA Partner Discount Codes

Hot Shot      15% Off   Code: HHAPartner24
Rugid Gear  10% Off  Code: HHAUSA10
StealthRig   15% Off   Code: Stealth15  

It was a pleasure to have HHAUSA Podcast Alumni Amanda Hoenes back on the show this week. After meeting her at our Vortex Event last April, I had an instant friend and ally for the work that we do here.

Reading her book "Digging Deeper" about her solo paddling journey down the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, my level of respect for the GWOT Marine Veteran spiked even higher than the first impression I got from her in Wisconsin.

Solidifying her place in the HHAUSA family and feeling inspired, Hoenes left The Badger State and headed back to Missouri to press into her own nonprofit, True Path Adventures. Designed to get teens and now adults off their devices and into the outdoors, Amanda is impacting others by sharing her passion for the outdoors.

We surprised Amanda this fall through our partnerships with Bernatello Foods, Outdoor Bound TV and Vortex Optics. Hoenes headed to Saskatchewan on a dream mule deer hunt and harvested a great buck. Thanks to Kurt Walbeck and his crew, Gerhard Potgieter and Canada Outdoor Adventures, the Missouri native experienced some great comradery and was blessed to have another Marine Veteran in camp with her who quickly became a new friend.

This was an amazing episode and I strongly encourage you to get a copy of Amanda's book, check out True Path Adventures, contact her for a speaking engagement, do anything to get her involved with your mission if it aligns with hers. She may have taken off the uniform a few years ago but this woman will be serving others until the Lord calls her home and we will be right there in the trenches with her!

You can find Amanda  Hoenes on Facebook and Instagram and visit her website at https://www.truepathadventures.com/

For more information about HHAUSA, learn how you can support our mission, or attend an event, visit www.hhausa.org

To purchases HHAUSA hats, tees and hoodies, visit www.hhasports.com

HHAUSA Partner Discount Codes

Hot Shot      15% Off   Code: HHAPartner24
Rugid Gear  10% Off  Code: HHAUSA10
StealthRig   15% Off   Code: Stealth15  

Thanks to the powers of modern technology, we are able to connect with anyone, anywhere, without leaving our house. Little did I know that a blog review of an archery sight 15 years ago would lead me to one of my best friends on the planet. Al Quackenbush and I communicate every day, through the You Version Bible App and our daily devotionals. We text frequently, hop on Zoom calls when we can work it into our schedules and see each other once a year in person. While I wish that we lived closer to have more face time, our friendship runs deep and I am eternally grateful that God brought us together.

2023 was a big year for Al and his family. After many conversations with his wife and daughter and a lot of prayer, they relocated from Southern California to Nashville in June. It was a major move for the family but one that they have all embraced and they are loving life in The Volunteer State.

With a network of friends already in place, Al has access to some private land which has made deer hunting opportunities a little easier than being on the west coast. He also headed back to New York to hunt with his family and it's been a successful fall even though he has yet to punch his tag.

The move also brought about a rebranding for The SoCal Bowhunter. Wanting to share his faith more and appeal to a broader audience, Faithful Sportsman will be his new moniker, thanks to his wife Kymberli.

Starting off 2024 at the ATA Show in St. Louis and SHOT in Vegas, there's no grass growing under Al's feet. At the same time, he and I both plan to try and eliminate the word busy from our schedule in the new year and be more intentional about keeping the first things first. I am excited about what the future holds for my dear friend and look forward to walking with him into this new season. 

You can follow Al on Facebook and Instagram, visit his web page at https://socalbowhunter.com/homepage and tune into the Sprocket and Chubbs Podcast, cohosted by Al and Navy Veteran Aaron Ritter.

For more information about HHAUSA, learn how you can support our mission, or attend an event, visit www.hhausa.org

To purchases HHAUSA hats, tees and hoodies, visit www.hhasports.com

HHAUSA Partner Discount Codes

Hot Shot      15% Off   Code: HHAPartner24
Rugid Gear  10% Off  Code: HHAUSA10
StealthRig   15% Off   Code: Stealth15  

I want to thank Adam Miller of Bowhunter Chronicles Podcast for the introduction to our guest on this week's episode. Shortly after meeting Marine Veteran Andrew Comtois, Miller thought he should connect him with me and the work that HHAUSA is doing. While we have yet to meet in person, a handful of conversations later and we have become fast friends.

Coming from a long line of service in his family, the Michigan native joined the Marines in 2005. Seven deployments and a traumatic brain injury later found him honorably discharged and at rock bottom in 2018. It was there that he would find a road to recovery through archery and the outdoors after picking up a bow for the first time in years.

Words simply do not do this podcast justice and I guarantee that this conversation will save at least one life. Starting Outdoor Driven in January of 2023, Comtois is now using his experiences and passion for the outdoors to bring healing to others in need. His life took a a more substantial and eternal turn in July when he and his wife recommitted their lives to Christ in Alaska at a marriage retreat through Operation Heal Our Patriots, furthering his desire to put others first and make a difference in the world.

I am excited to see what the future holds for Andrew and his organization and look forwward to sharing the range with him in April. God continues to bless me personally and the mission of HHAUSA by bringing amazing, like minded people like Andrew into my path. We are all in this together and will continue to change lives until the good Lord calls us home.

You can find Andrew and Outdoor Driven on Facebook and Instagram and visit their website at https://outdoordriven.org/

For more information about HHAUSA, learn how you can support our mission, or attend an event, visit www.hhausa.org

To purchases HHAUSA hats, tees and hoodies, visit www.hhasports.com

HHAUSA Partner Discount Codes

Hot Shot      15% Off   Code: HHAPartner24
Rugid Gear  10% Off  Code: HHAUSA10
StealthRig   15% Off   Code: Stealth15  

While I don't like to disappoint our listeners who have been waiting for us to travel outside of Wisconsin, we will be staying home once again in 2024. That said, we have seven 3D shoots on the schedule for archers across the country to attend and help support the cause that is HHAUSA.

You really need to listen to this episode to get the full impact of how special the upcoming year is setting up to be. We look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones as we continue to change lives one arrow at a time in the Veteran, First Responder and Law Enforcement communities.

So start making plans to get to one or more of our events in 2024. April will be here before you know it!

Wisconsin Open Season Expo Wisconsin Dells                               March 22-24

Oregon Sportsman’s Club Weekend (Mission 28) Oregon       April 20-21

Waushara Archers  (Mission 29) Wautoma                                        May 18-19

Blackhawk Archers (Mission 30) Custer                                              June 1-2

Racine Instinctive Bowmen (Mission 31) Sturtevant                   June 22-23

Tomah Warrens Sportsman’s (Mission 32) Warrens                    July 13-14

Rib Mountain Bowmen  (Mission 33) Brokaw                                  July 27-28

De Pere Sportsmen’s Club (Mission 34) De Pere                            August 17-18

Our website should be updated by the 1st of the year at which point registration will be open for all 2024 shoots. Visit hhausa.org for more details.

You can also follow HHAUSA on Facebook and Instagram.

For more information about HHAUSA, learn how you can support our mission, or attend an event, visit www.hhausa.org

To purchases HHAUSA hats, tees and hoodies, visit www.hhasports.com

HHAUSA Partner Discount Codes

Hot Shot      15% Off   Code: HHAPartner24
Rugid Gear  10% Off  Code: HHAUSA10
StealthRig   15% Off   Code: Stealth15  

It's crazy how quickly time passes by the older we get. Closer to 50 than 40, I'm making more of an effort to cherish every conversation, every trip to the field and every sunset as we never know when it will be our last.

Speaking of time flying, it's been nearly two years since I was introduced to Aaron Ritter of Limb-Itless Outdoors but the depth of our friendship makes it feel like twenty. A fellow nonprofit leader, Ritter has successfully navigated year two of his A3G Grant Initiative and what a year it was!

If you've listened to the previous couple of episodes, you're already familiar with 2023 grant recipient Chris Norton as well as Christopher Dunlap and the role that he played in making the fall one to remember for these three amigos.

It's been fun from my chair to see how the grant program has grown in a short time but I have a hard time taking the credit Ritter wants to give me for inspiring him to start it after our first conversation. Regardless, he is doing great things for the Veteran, archery, and amputee communities and I'm honored to be a small part of that.

Aaron and I discuss all the happenings of 2023, including the emotional trip to Texas with Chris and Christopher, his fall hunting season, what the future of the grant holds, and so much more on the episode.

There's not many Aaron Ritter's in this world but it's a better place because of him and the work he's doing. I'm inspired each time we talk or have the luxury of seeing each other in person. Aaron is a breath of fresh air and as I referred to him on here, an energy drink that leaves me feeling refreshed each time we converse.

He's also one of my dearest friends and has been a blessing in my life in more ways than one. Thank you for everything that you do Aaron, and keep burnin' those ships!

You can follow Aaron on Facebook and Instagram. You can also learn more about Limb-Itless Outdoors and the A3G Grant Initiative at:

https://www.limbitlessoutdoors.com

For more information about HHAUSA, learn how you can support our mission, or attend an event, visit www.hhausa.org

To purchases HHAUSA hats, tees and hoodies, visit www.hhasports.com

HHAUSA Partner Discount Codes

Hot Shot      15% Off   Code: HHAPartner24
Rugid Gear  10% Off  Code: HHAUSA10
StealthRig   15% Off   Code: Stealth15  

People with a heart to serve never lose it, even when they hang up the uniform. Chris Dunlap is yet another example of a service member that continues to give back to the Veteran community through archery and the outdoors.

The Virginia native grew up hunting and fishing so it's a big part of who he is. Also in his DNA, serving our country runs deep in Chris's family, going all the way back to the Civil War. Finding himself at Fort Benning Georgia three days after graduating high school for basic training, Dunlap served in the Army for sixteen years before medically retiring in 2012 and moving to Texas.

Chris is always on the go as a husband, father, archer, and serving others any way that he can to make a difference. In addition to helping with his wife's ministry on their ranch, he's also a guide on several properties in The Lone Star State and reached out to Aaron Ritter over social media on New Year's Eve a couple years back to invite him down on a whitetail hunt. An instant friendship was born and Ritter returned in September with Chris Norton, his 2023 A3G Grant Recipient. If you listened to Norton's podcast, you know the end of the story but we now get to hear it from Dunlap's perspective.

The bond these three men formed over a few short days is something that will last a lifetime. Finding the level of comradery that they experienced in the military is hard to replicate but they found it in the outdoors, just as other Veterans have.  HHAUSA is honored to be a small part of connections like this and we look forward to more success stories that put the healing power of archery on full display.

Thank you for your service Chris, and thank you for your heart for putting others above yourself.

You can find Christopher Dunlap on Facebook and Instagram.

For more information about HHAUSA, learn how you can support our mission, or attend an event, visit www.hhausa.org

To purchases HHAUSA hats, tees and hoodies, visit www.hhasports.com

HHAUSA Partner Discount Codes

Hot Shot      15% Off   Code: HHAPartner24
Rugid Gear  10% Off  Code: HHAUSA10
StealthRig   15% Off   Code: Stealth15  

HHAUSA continues to be blessed with some amazing additions to our family and this guy fit right in from day one. US Army Veteran Chris Norton was selected as the 2023 A3G Initiative Grant Winner in a story that could only have been written by our Creator.

When Aaron Ritter of Limb-Itless Outdoors enthusiastically told me about Norton, it confirmed once again why we do what we do at HHAUSA to impact the lives of others. Losing his lower leg in a motorcycle accident, Chris's life would be changed forever being an amputee and some dark days lay head for the Freehold New Jersey native.

In those pivotal moments of our story, they can go one of two ways. Thankfully, Norton pulled himself out of the darkness, going onto become a firefighter and is now just months away from being an EMT as well. He’s also found healing, community and new life in archery.

During his time recovering, he purchased an entry level compound bow, knowing that he could use a new hobby to get his mind off his injury and get him outdoors. While he had hunted as a kid, archery was new to him and he was hooked. After a discussion with Ritter about saddle hunting, Chris applied for the grant and was unanimously selected by Aaron and his board, all picking Norton without discussing the candidates with each other.

After an emotional and overwhelming presentation of the nearly $15,000 in gear at his fire station by Ritter, Chris now had his sights set on a Texas whitetail hunt in late September.

I'll let him tell the rest of the story but suffice it to say, we will be seeing a lot more of Chris Norton in the years ahead and I look forward to meeting him face to face and sharing the 3D range with him soon.

You can find Chris on Facebook and Instagram and learn more about the A3G Initiative at https://www.limbitlessoutdoors.com/a3g-initiative

For more information about HHAUSA, learn how you can support our mission, or attend an event, visit www.hhausa.org

To purchases HHAUSA hats, tees and hoodies, visit www.hhasports.com

HHAUSA Partner Discount Codes

Hot Shot      15% Off   Code: HHAPartner24
Rugid Gear  10% Off  Code: HHAUSA10
StealthRig   15% Off   Code: Stealth15  

It's safe to say that nearly twenty years ago when Mark and Jane Neumann founded the Hunt4Life Foundation, they had little idea of the impact their Wisconsin based ministry would have.

Now working with Operation Heal Our Patriots and seeing marriages resurrected and people making life altering decisions about their faith, Mark and Jane truly are doing the Lord's work. Coupled with serving young boys who have lost their fathers in the line of duty or to suicide, LifeCamp USA has grown astronomically in less than three years and will no doubt see its benefits felt for generations to come. 

I can't say enough good things about this ministry and it's one that we will continue to support as long as we are around. This was a great conversation and I look forward to hearing many more of the success stories from the Neumanns for years to come as they continue to transform the Military, First Responder and Law Enforcement Community.

To learn more, visit hunt4lifefoundation.org and follow Hunt4Life and LifeCamp USA on Facebook and Instagram.

For more information about HHAUSA, learn how you can support our mission, or attend an event, visit www.hhausa.org

To purchases HHAUSA hats, tees and hoodies, visit www.hhasports.com

HHAUSA Partner Discount Codes

Hot Shot      15% Off   Code: HHAPartner24
Rugid Gear  10% Off  Code: HHAUSA10
StealthRig   15% Off   Code: Stealth15