Outdoor Buddies is an all-volunteer non-profit organization. None of our volunteers are paid a dime, and no member has to pay a dime to participate in our programs. We rely on donations from members just like you to keep the Outdoor Buddies mission alive and open the outdoors to all!

We have some incredible prizes lined up for our 2024 annual raffle fundraiser. Thank you for supporting Outdoor Buddies!

Dear friends at Outdoor Buddies,

I wanted to extend my sincere gratitude, thanks for making my experience so incredible this last weekend at the pheasant hunt on March 23rd, 2024. There were so many friendly, caring and passionate individuals working together towards the collective goal of assisting both the youth and the disabled alike find exciting enjoyment this day, surrounded by shooting sports fundamentals and all within a safe and well planned hunting environment.

There were stunning views to be had and new acquaintances made many times over, on this late March day with beautiful blue skies Colorado weather, on such an incredible piece of property! The excitement was palatable. For me, being out in the fields and close to the action, due to a highly modified electric tracked wheelchair vehicle, was an opportunity of a lifetime. As a person who regularly shoots from a rigid frame sports wheelchair, it would have never made it through the thick sagebrush and challenging terrain… This experience was beyond comparison. If you’re ever presented with the opportunity to operate one, I highly suggest it! You might agree with my name for the special mode of transportation that day, as being the “Bobcat for the disabled”. 

Also, I extend a truly special thank you to not only the members of the Outdoor Buddies organization, but also to their families and other volunteers whom all made this special day possible. Due to the exceptional collaboration and coordination with partners from Colorado Youth Outdoors, everyone worked together with clear goals and achieved a successful and well thought out day. I feel my opinion will be echoed by many, as this was an incredible experience for everyone in attendance. I am inspired by the stories of others who had been through physical challenges and to learn stories of triumph from those who supported them. To make connections throughout the day was truly what this whole experience was all about. 

To Larry, Tony, and the numerous other individuals who made this all possible, thank you very much for the incredible experiences! I look forward to the next event with Outdoor Buddies. I am excited to have met you all and to call you friends.

Happy Hunting! 

Regards,

-Tyler 

**This Event has been rescheduled to May 11th, 2024 due to inclement weather on originally planned date**

Green Mill Sportsman’s Club will host the Outdoor Buddies sight-in at their facility to enable Outdoor Buddies hunters and future hunters to get practice behind their rifle. This is your chance to work on your “shooting system” to set yourself up for success prior to a hunt. Only 30 persons can be accommodated at this event so make your reservations as soon as possible. To reserve your spot at the sight-in please register below. There is no charge for the event and snacks and refreshments will be provided. There are electricity and accessible bathrooms at the range.

Important Things To Know:

Rifle ranges with 50, 100, and 200 yard targets are available. A pistol range is also available. Range qualified personnel will provide assistance. Targets, spotting scopes, shooting benches, and sandbags are provided. Eye and ear protection are required! If you do not have eye and ear protection devices they will be available at the range.

About Green Mill Sportsman Club

The Green Mill Sportsman’s Club is a private club dedicated to providing an educational, safe and enjoyable place for our members to enjoy the shooting sports. They have been wonderful supporters of Outdoor Buddies and enable us a fantastic facility to prepare for the upcoming big game seasons each year.

Location

Green Mill Sportsman’s Club

2490 Co Rd 3, Erie, CO 80516

Directions

If you type “green mill sportsman’s club” into Google Maps, their location will pop up. If your prefer written directions, Go three miles west of I-25 (Exit 232) to Bonanza, take first left at Green Mill Road (dirt road) and continue for ¾ mile to the facility.

Please bring your family and friends to enjoy the day with Outdoor Buddies! Bring your sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters to make memories and build relationships.

There will be fishing, archery, BB gun shooting, and trap shooting available. Swift Ponds has handicap-accessible fishing docks for those on wheels.

There will be equipment available for each of the activities, but please feel free to bring your own fishing equipment.

Nordy's BBQ will be served for lunch.

We will have on hand the Outdoor Buddies track chairs to help those who need assistance in getting to the different activities.

Come and have a fun filled day with your family and friends!

Directions to Swift Ponds:

Take Interstate 25 north to Windsor Exit 262, turn right onto Highway 392. Take Highway 392 east to County Rd. 5, turn left onto County Rd. 5. Take County Rd. 5 north to County Rd. 36 (Ketchter Road). Turn Left onto County Rd. 36, the Swift Ponds gate will be on your left.

For more information, please contact Larry Sanford at (970) 218-5356 popslarrys@gmail.com

Don't forget to buy your raffle tickets! Tickets will be sold at the event.

Spatchcocking is is a simple and effective method for cooking game birds. Getting the skin crispy can be tricky, but if you do it right it’s one of the most satisfying ways to enjoy upland birds.

The term spatchcock is thought to derive from the phrase “to dispatch the cock,” that is, to butcher a rooster. It’s a method for breaking down a whole bird by cutting out the spine and flattening the carcass. With a strong pair of scissors, you can quickly get through a lot of birds. By doing this, you allow the meat to cook more quickly and consistently since there’s no hollow cavity blocking heat.

When making this recipe, use a pheasant that is in good shape. A shot-up bird might result in some fragmented bones, which aren’t a fun surprise when biting into the meat.

I like to add two skewers across the bird’s back to help stabilize the meat on the grill. It keeps the legs from flopping around and the skin from tearing.

Using a dry rub helps crisp the skin, keep the meat juicy and add flavor. Serve it with a side of mojo, a Cuban condiment that combines sour lime and orange juice, cilantro and a whole lot of garlic. If you didn’t keep the skin on, you can marinate the whole bird with the mojo sauce.

Ingredients



• 2 whole pheasants, plucked
• Fat for grilling (duck fat or oil)
• 4 skewers (2 per bird)

Dry Rub

• 1 tbsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 lime, zested

Mojo

• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 cup olive oil
• 8 cloves of garlic, smashed
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, loosely packed
• 1 jalapeño (with or without seeds)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Dry Rub

1. Make the dry rub by mixing the above listed ingredients in a bowl. The spice mix should be plenty for two whole birds. Save the leftover rub for seasoning other meats, potatoes, vegetables, etc.

Spatchcock Pheasant

1. Using heavy-duty scissors, cut along each side of the spine. It helps to move the thigh and find where the joint connects to avoid cutting through any meat. Remove the backbone, pull the legs out and flip the bird over so that the breasts are facing up. Flatten out the bird by pressing down firmly on the breastplate with your hands. You might hear a crack on each side of the wishbone.
2. Pat the pheasant as dry as you can with paper towels. Season generously with the dry rub. If you kept the skin on, be sure to rub the spice mix under the skin so it covers the meat, being careful not to tear it.
3. For best results, I highly recommend setting your birds uncovered, skin side up on a baking rack or in a sheet pan inside a refrigerator. This will allow plenty of airflow. Let the pheasants rest and dry out for several hours or overnight in the fridge. The drier the skin is, the crispier it will be once grilled.

Mojo

1. Prepare the Mojo sauce by combining all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth and store in the fridge until ready to use.

Grilled Pheasant

1. Remove the pheasant from the fridge about an hour before grilling and let it come to room temperature.
2. Rub the birds down with about 2 teaspoons of fat/oil per bird. Use skewers to help stabilize by piercing through the top of the breast and crossing over through the thigh meat on both sides to create an “X.” If you use bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them for at least 30 minutes prior to grilling.
3. Heat the grill over medium-high heat. Grill the pheasant skin side down for about 5 minutes, or until the skin begins to crisp and char. Flip the pheasant and then move it to the side of the grill over indirect heat. Turn the burners down to low and close the lid. Cook for an additional 25 minutes, or until the breast meat registers about 155 degrees.
4. Remove the pheasant and serve with the mojo sauce.

Sporting Clays Benefit at Colorado Clays

A fun-filled day where businesses can sponsor teams in our event where we host friendly shooting competition. Individual shooters are also invited to participate.

August 3

Larry Sanford

(720) 773-7717

popslarrys@gmail.com

Larry Sanford

President

970-218-5356

popslarrys@gmail.com

Nate Lucht

Vice President

(970) 219-8817

nate.lucht@hotmail.com

Christopher Nowak

Treasurer

303-717-7159

christopher_m_nowak@yahoo.com

Terry Gleason

Secretary

303-868-2579

terryjgleason@gmail.com

Kevin Kassner

Director

(303) 946-2502

kevin@asktechnolink.com 

Matt Camilleri

Director

860-930-2389

mcamilleri7@gmail.com

Tony Hodges

Director

303-523-0583

thodgesre21@aol.com

Steve Medberry

Director

720-255-9453

stevemedberry@gmail.com

Edgar Munoz

Director

720-261-1857

edgar4jec1268@gmail.com

Jim Piper

Director

303-514-8944

geopros@q.com

Frederick Solheim

Director-Warriors on Cataract

303-818-7600

WarriorsOnCataract@gmail.com 

Non-board members are welcome. Please RSVP in advance.

Meetings are held from 6:30pm-8:30pm at the locations and dates below.

May 14 - Lone Tree Cabela's

June 11 - Thornton Cabela's

July 9 - Lone Tree Cabela's

July 30 - Thornton Cabela's

September 10 - Lone Tree Cabela's

October - No Meeting

November 12 - Thornton Sportsman's Warehouse

December 10 - Thornton Sportsman's Warehouse