Congratulations to the winners of our camp raffle: 

Thanks to everyone for supporting the kids going to camps in 2016! Each year our raffle helps kids raise the funds to go to CTO camp. If you'd like to continue to support kids needing financial assistance, then make a donation to the Thomas Krecji CTO Camp Scholarship program.

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Thanks to a grant from the NRA Foundation, Cross Trail Outfitters of Texas now has the supplies needed to help promote and teach shooting sports in chapters across the state. The NRA Foundation recently approved $2,162.50 to purchase shotgun ammunition and clay targets to be used for shooting sport instruction and in the field hunting activities. We appreciate the NRA Foundation in providing these funds to help us preserve our hunting heritage and get more kids into shooting sports and hunting.

The NRA Foundation provides financial support to eligible projects, programs and organizations through its Grant Program. Since its establishment in 1990, the NRA Foundation has provided more than $300 million in funding through more than 38,000 grants in support of the shooting sports. 

Congratulations to the winners in our 25 Gun Raffle!

1. Mitch Tilson - Weatherby Fibermark 
2. David Cantu - Remington Rifle 
3. Debra Wachsmuth - Henry Golden Boy .30/30 
4. Brian Barrick - Weatherby Vanguard RC .25-06
5. Gary Adams- Weatherby Vanguard Saratoga .308
6. Phil Tudich - Remington Versa Mas Sportsman 12 ga
7. Donald Herrmann - Henry “Silver Eagle” Lever Action .22
8. Craig Spaulding - Weatherby VG Wilderness .257 Mag.
9. Joseph Schuetze- Reming. 1911 R-1 Carry Commander .45
10. Kayla Nicolav - Weatherby Vanguard Saratoga .308
11. Bill Cotter - Weatherby VG Weatherguard .25-06
12. Javid Heravi - Henry Frontier “Evil Roy” Edition .22
13. Ed Vrana - Weatherby Vanguard Real Tree Xtra .308
14. Virgil Cullins - Remington 1911 R1 Stainless .45
15. Craig Spaulding Weatherby Vanguard Saratoga .308
16. Robert Raymond - Henry “Golden Boy” .22 Youth LA
17. Don Porschein - Weatherby Vanguard S2 Stainless .270 
18. Zach Thomas - Remington 870 .12 ga
19. Lamar Stone - Henry Classic .22 Custom Engraved
20. Marco Nunez - Weatherby Vanguard Saratoga .308
21. Jonathan Pearson - Weatherby Vanguard VOLT .22-250
22. Bill Smith - Weatherby Vanguard Kryptek .243 
23. Chris Reger - Remington 597 .22 semi-auto 
24. Rudy Garza Weatherby - Vanguard S2 Youth .243 
25. Michelle Rucker- Weatherby Vanguard Saratoga .308

Thank you to everyone who supported the CTO Texas Big Gun Raffle!

Christian and Kevin

When I went on my very first outing with CTO, I witnessed kids around a campfire that had a desire to learn, a desire to be loved, and most importantly a desire to be forgiven. I saw the Holy Spirit work in the lives of strangers, who were courageous and vulnerable, willing to share personal stories of their lives to help the person next to them get better. I witnessed the importance of our hunting and fishing heritage being shared with kids who would never have an opportunity to get outdoors on their own. I listened to biblical principles, the foundation of the Bible being used as examples for these kids to model and witnessed the importance of sharing our faith in Jesus.

Little did I know that 10 years later I would be serving God through this organization. It was never in my plans to venture into ministry, work for a non-profit organization, or even think of having to raise support to grow this ministry. I had NO idea of what God was up to, but I made myself available and trusted Him.

As this year comes to a close, I am in awe of the work God has done and continues to do through CTO. During 2015 CTO Texas gained 130 members across three chapters that offered nearly 700 opportunities for youth to be exposed to Christ through our regular sportsmen skills nights, family events, community service projects, outings, summer camps and other outreach. Currently, we have three new chapters preparing for their kickoffs, which will open the doors for more kids to be exposed to Christ’s love, forgiveness and direction.

In order to build on this growth, we need funding to reach our annual budget of $250,000, which includes all our programs like outings and summer camps. This year I’ve made a personal commitment to be better about asking for your help. So I ask, will you help us? For those committing to $50 or more per month, you will receive a custom engraved CTO "Trapper" pocket knife. More importantly, you become part of our Team to help guide the next generation to Christ through the outdoors. I would like to ask you to pray about tithing monthly to Cross Trail Outfitters of Texas or even making a one-time donation. Our continued development and growth depends on it. There is no CTO without your help. Thanks for your continued support.

DONATE

Another amazing CTO Outing weekend with hosted by Dennis Ray Ashley and the Ashley family at the Plomero Ranch. The deer were laid up with the rain and moon, but the hogs were on the move!

What an experience for these young men as one boy harvested his first deer, another his first javalina first and another his first hog.

Along with the hunting, the crew experienced great fishing, fun and fellowship to boot. The boys honed their rifle skills with a suppressed .223, which made for some great plinking! 

The campfire theme was " What does it mean to be a Spiritual Warrior." These kids were able to share an experience of a lifetime, while hearing the importance of standing strong in our Faith for Jesus Christ!

Thank you Dennis, Ronnie, Travis and Cody for a great weekend!

We have more outings scheduled for the next few months, including deer and duck hunts. Check out the calendar and get plugged in!

CTO Bulverde held its first Big Game Banquet on October 17, and it was a great success in helping CTO meet its mission of  guiding the next generation to Christ through the outdoors. A little more than 140 people attended this fun event with a wild game dinner prepared by great CTO volunteers.

We want to thank our Gun level sponsor, Gordon McCleary, who also provided yummy desserts from Granny D's in Canyon Lake. In addition, we appreciate these Heritage Level Sponsors,  Dave Frazier family and Pat Bolton, not to mention all the families who came out to support CTO. 

We look forward to next year's event. If you want to learn more about CTO Bulverde, please attend an upcoming Sportsmen's Night and learn about getting kids involved. 

During the CTO Bulverde Big Game Banquet, Meritage Cares presented a $2,500 donation to CTO Texas. The mission of Meritage Cares is to enrich lives in the metropolitan areas Meritage Homes does business by providing assistance to eligible charitable organizations for the support and well being of children, families, military veterans, and other charitable causes approved by the Foundation’s selection committee.

The team at Cross Trail Outfitters is appreciative of Meritage Care's commitment youth in our community and their selection and generous support of CTO Texas. 

If you'd like to help CTO serve more youth, consider becoming a Friend of CTO. Learn more and help us meet our target.

Cross Trail Outfitters of Texas just completed our first youth deer hunt of the 2015 season at the T9E Ranch in Pearsall, TX. Thank you to Steve & Sally Grinnell, along with ranch manager Talbert White for the great hospitality and fellowship!

Our campfire theme was what does it take to be a Warrior of our Faith and how we can better equip ourselves foe the battle ahead.

These 8 young men harvested 9 does and 3 hogs. Twelve shots, 12 animals in the freezer, thanks to the CTO "Tic-Tac-Toe" shot placement training. These kids have definitely set the bar.

CTO Texas is blessed to be in a season of growth as we add new chapters and kids. During this growth phase, we want all kids involved in CTO to have a chance to participate in hunting outings,  so we are asking parents to help. 

First, registration for outings will now open two weeks prior to the event. This will give parents, guardians and kids time to see the calendar and a chance to register when it opens up. Second, if your child has been on an big-game outing (deer, hogs, exotics) within the last 30 days, we ask you to put them on a waiting list. That waiting list link will be in the event description on the calendar. If the outing does not fill up with new registrants, then we will fill it with kids from the waiting list and contact you if a spot is open. 

In order to help families new to CTO, we've create a classification system to help parents, guardians and youth identify the best outings for kids. Rather than an age based system, we are classifying hunts based on hunting and CTO skill levels.  This information will be noted in the event description on the calendar. 

Outing Classifications

• CTO First Hunts: For beginning youth hunters who have not harvested a big game animal, never been hunting or participated on a CTO big game outing.
  
• CTO Intermediate Hunts: For youth hunters that have harvested a big game animal or may have experienced an opportunity to hunt.
  
• CTO Veteran Youth Hunts: For youth hunters who are actively involved in CTO. This includes those that regularly attend local chapter events, participate on outings and summer camp, help with CTO outreach opportunities, and volunteer for CTO community service projects. Many times, these hunts will be invitation only from the local outfitter.
  

During the 2014-2015 hunting season, CTO Texas offered more than 165 different hunting opportunities for youth and hosted 67 young men at our 6 hunting and fishing summer camps where 21 kids made decisions for Christ. For the new hunting season, our Team is preparing to increase these opportunities as more landowners open their gates and as more CTO chapters develop to serve more youth. Currently active chapters are established in Bulverde, Canyon Lake, and San Antonio with chapter teams forming in Boerne, Northeast San Antonio, New Braunfels, and Wilson County.

To maximize our efforts and increase the level of participation,  we need your help so that chapter leaders can focus on mentoring kids and training volunteers. In order to make that happen, we're inviting those who believe in the CTO Mission and programs to become monthly donors through our "Friend of CTO" campaign. CTO Texas is a 501c3 nonprofit public charity that relies on your tax-deductible donations to function and grow. By committing to the Friend of CTO campaign, your monthly donation assists CTO Texas to:

• bring more young people into a stronger relationship with Christ
  
• develop youth leaders, who will in turn disciple others
  
• elevate youth outdoor skills
  
• equip chapters with gear and supplies
  
• train top notch volunteers to work with youth
  
• preserve our outdoor hunting and fishing heritage
  

The goal is to raise $100,000 through this campaign over the next 12 months. That will help with sustaining funds so that our Outfitters, volunteers, and staff can focus on ministry and mentoring kids as we grow across Texas. 

By becoming a Friend of CTO, you commit to making a monthly donation that will help with all our CTO programs (camps, outings, chapter development) and make a positive difference in our next generation. For those committing to $50 or more per month, you will receive a custom engraved CTO "Trapper" pocket knife. More importantly, you become part of our Team to help guide the next generation to Christ through the outdoors.

Help us hit the mark...let's get this done!

Become a Friend of CTO