Outdoor capsules DEER 2000: The Deer Management for 2000 and Beyond Joint Study Group will meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at P.J. Jacobs Junior High School. By this meeting, all data from the June public review of recommendations is expected to be available. Study groups will work with this information to formulate final recommendations in order to complete the final report by Aug. 1. * * * HUNTER SAFETY: A hunter safety course will be offered at the Jensen Community Center in Amherst on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-6:30 p.m. from Aug. 29 to Sept. 14. In addition to the six classes at the center, a field trip is included, which will be scheduled at a later date. The Tomorrow River Conservation Club and the Portage County Sheriff's Department are sponsoring the course. It offers instruction on gun safety, hunting ethics, first aid and other hunting-related skills. It is required for all youth wishing to hunt. The course fee is $10 and is payable after the second class. Register by calling the Jensen Center Monday-Thursdays from 1-5 p.m. The center office is closed Aug. 7-11. * * * TREEHAVEN WORKSHOPS: Eight workshops about the natural world will be offered Aug. 7-10 at Treehaven, a field station of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Tomahawk. Two workshops will be held each day, each lasting four hours and open to teachers or individuals wishing to know more about the environment. The morning sessions will be from 8 a.m. to noon and afternoon sessions from 1-5 p.m. Class sizes are limited and tailored for hands-on learning and small group interaction. On Monday, Aug. 7, Bob Freckman will teach "Flowering Plants" in the morning and Peter Dring will teach "Birds and Identification" in the afternoon. Classes on Tuesday, Aug. 8, are "Trees and Identification" led by Sue Brisk and "Northwoods Geography." Wednesday, Aug. 9, includes "Mammal Tracks" instructed by Sherri Buller and Michelle Nicholes and "Snakes and Frogs" instructed by Chris Cold. Classes on Thursday, Aug. 10, are "Non-Flowering Plants, Lichens and Mushrooms," led by Cora Mullin and "Aquatic Life" led by Steve Gilbert. Those taking one to three courses pay $45 per course, those taking four to seven courses pay $40 a course and those taking all eight courses pay $35 a course. The fee includes lunch, course fee, instruction and materials. College credit is available to those taking four or more classes. Mastercard or Visa is accepted. For more information or to register, contact Treehaven at (715) 453-4106 or by e-mail (treehavn@newnorth.net). * * * SURVIVAL CHALLENGE: Take "The Gauntlet" challenge and learn outdoor survival skills and orienteering first-hand during a two-day wilderness adventure run at Treehaven on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12-13. Treehaven is hosting the event with Pathfinder Wilderness Adventure School of Pagosa Springs, Colo. "'The Gauntlet' is not only a fitness and wellness event, it is also a learning event," says master wilderness guide Tom Dorsch, owner and director of Pathfinder. Among the skills to be used during the adventure run are natural fire building, land navigation, orienteering, wilderness medicine and edible plant identification. The first day will be spent learning these skills. The second day will be spent running "The Gauntlet" over a 10-mile course. Hiking, rope training, archery, unique terrain and mystery events will add to the adventure. Participants ages 12 and up may run solo, but teams of two to four are recommended. Afterwards there will be a victory feast and prizes. The run has met with great success in the West and could become an annual event at Treehaven. The event costs $125 per individual, which includes training, a T-shirt, certificate of completion, three meals, the victory feast and equipment. Off-site camping will be available for the night. For more information or to register for the event, contact Treehaven at (715) 453-4106 or send e-mail to treehavn@newnorth.net. * * * GREAT OUTDOORS FESTIVAL: Ducks Unlimited will host the Great Outdoors Festival Friday, Aug. 18, through Sunday, Aug. 20, at the Experimental Aircraft Association grounds in Oshkosh. The event allows participants to try out new sport equipment and includes a variety of activities, such as shooting, canoeing, archery and dog training. More information can be found at www.ducks.org.