The gun deer season is here and it's time to get out in the woods and bag the biggest buck! Enter the 2019 Kretz Lumber Company’s Big Buck Contest and you could win more than just bragging rights. Every entrant has a chance to win!

Two ways to win:

1. Biggest Buck: $50 Fleet Farm gift card
2. Wild Card: $25 Fleet Farm gift card (One winner will be randomly selected from all eligible contest entries.)

To enter our contest:

1. Like Kretz Lumber Company's Facebook page. 

2. Bag your buck and post a picture on our Facebook page by 11:59 pm CST on December 3, 2019.

All photos submitted must be bucks taken during the 2019 Wisconsin rifle season and shot in one of the following counties: Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Shawano, Menominee, Forest, Oconto, Portage, or Waupaca. No other submissions will be accepted.

3. With your submission, include your score.

We are using a complete honor system.

To determine your score:

1 point per inch of inside spread + 1 point per “Point” number of antlers 1” and longer = Total Points.

An example: 

• Inside spread = 15 inches 
• Eight 1-inch “points”
• 15+8 = Total score of 23
  
  

Kretz Lumber Company reserves the right to disqualify any entries suspected of cheating.

Winners will be announced on our Facebook page on December 4.

Good luck and have a safe hunt!

Albert (Al) Koeppel was inducted into the Wisconsin Forestry Hall of Fame on October 2, 2019, at the Society of American Foresters annual meeting at Stevens Point. Al was nominated by the University of Wisconsin for this prestigious honor.

The Wisconsin Forestry Hall of Fame was founded in 1984 by 10 public, and private forestry organizations in 1984 to honor those who have made exceptional contributions to the field of forestry in Wisconsin. The Forestry Hall of Fame exhibit is located in the College of Natural Resources at UW Stevens Point in the College of Natural Resources Building. It is open for viewing during school hours. The Wisconsin Chapter of the Society Of American Foresters (SAF,) is the caretaker and lead organization overseeing the Hall of Fame.

Al spent the majority of his working career as the chief forester for Kretz Lumber Co., Inc. in Antigo, WI.

Submit your best Wisconsin fall photo!

Get outside and share with us your best Wisconsin autumn photo. Enter our contest by uploading your favorite photo to our Facebook page. We’ll compile all entries into an album and fans will then vote on their favorite. The image with the most likes at the end of the voting period will receive a $25 Mills Fleet Farm gift card!

To enter our fall Facebook photo contest:

1. Like Kretz Lumber Company's Facebook page.
2. Post your submission to our page by 11:59 pm CST on October 20, 2019.

   Only one photo/submission per person. All photos submitted must be your personal images and cannot be purchased or copyrighted. Image must have been taken in Wisconsin.

3. We’ll add all submissions to a Facebook photo album on October 21, 2019. Kretz Lumber Company Facebook fans can then vote by liking their favorite image in the official album through October 27, 2019. The picture with the most likes as of 11:59 pm CST on October 27, 2019 will win one $25 Mill’s Fleet Farm gift card.

Enjoy the outdoors and good luck!

Submit your best Wisconsin summer photo!

Enter our contest by uploading your favorite photo to our Facebook page. We’ll compile all entries into an album and fans will then vote on their favorite. The image with the most likes at the end of the voting period will receive a $25 Mills Fleet Farm gift card!

To enter our contest:

1. Like Kretz Lumber Company's Facebook page.
2. Post your photo submission to our page by 11:59 pm CST on August 18, 2019.

   Only one photo/submission per person. All photos submitted must be your personal images and cannot be purchased or copyrighted. Image must have been taken in Wisconsin.

3. All submissions will be added to a Facebook photo album on August 19, 2019 and then voted on by Kretz Lumber Facebook fans through August 25, 2019. The picture with the most likes as of 11:59 pm CST on August 25, 2019 will win one $25 Fleet Farm gift card.

Submit your best Wisconsin spring photo!

Enter our Wisconsin spring photo contest by uploading your favorite photo to our Facebook page. We’ll compile all entries into an album and fans will then vote on their favorite. The image with the most likes at the end of the voting period will receive a $25 Mills Fleet Farm gift card!

To enter our contest:

1. Like Kretz Lumber Company's Facebook page.
2. Post your submission to our Facebook page by 11:59 pm CST on May 12, 2019.
   Only one photo/submission per person. All photos submitted must be your personal images and cannot be purchased or copyrighted. Image must have been taken in Wisconsin.
3. All submissions will be added to a Facebook photo album on May 13, 2019 and then voted on by Kretz Lumber Facebook fans through May 19, 2019. The picture with the most likes as of 11:59 pm CST on May 19, 2019 will win one $25 Fleet Farm gift card.
4. Enjoy the great outdoors and good luck!

Get to know our new head Forester, Nate Gilbert!

Question: What made you want to become a forester?

Nate's answer: I chose forestry because growing up in Upper Michigan I spent the better part of my childhood enjoying the outdoors. I became a forester so I would be able to spend more time outdoors doing what I am passionate about and sharing that passion with others, through timber management, wildlife and taking care of the environment.

Question: When did you start working at Kretz Lumber Company? What is one aspect of your job you really like?

Nate's answer: I started working at Kretz Lumber Company in July of 2018. One aspect of the job I really enjoy is the not knowing what the next day will bring and the constant challenges that arise. 

Question: What is a common question you often receive from landowners? How do you answer it? And how do you offer value to the landowners you work with?

Nate's answer: A common question I receive from landowners is how can they make their property more attractive for wildlife. My answer is to properly manage the land by doing necessary harvests, which provide food and shelter, for many different wildlife species. Also by providing diversity across the property. I offer value to landowners by assuring them that I have their best interests in mind and I am always available to answer their questions. I am here as a resource to assist them in properly managing their woodlands while ensuring they are comfortable with any harvesting or other management related to their property.

If you have forestry related questions you'd like to ask Nate personally, you can reach him by phone at 1-800-352-1438 or by contacting him using this form. 

Submit your best Wisconsin winter photo!

Enter our Wisconsin winter photo contest by uploading your favorite photo to our Facebook page. We’ll compile all entries into an album and fans will then vote on their favorite. The image with the most likes at the end of the voting period will receive a $25 Mills Fleet Farm gift card!

To enter our contest:

1. Like Kretz Lumber Company's Facebook page.

2. Post your submission to our page by 11:59 pm CST on February 3, 2019.

   Only one photo/submission per person. All photos submitted must be your personal images and cannot be purchased or copyrighted. Image must have been taken in Wisconsin.

3. All submissions will be added to a Facebook photo album February 4, 2019 and then voted on by Kretz Lumber Facebook fans through February 10. The picture with the most likes as of 11:59 pm CST on February 10, 2019 will win one $25 Fleet Farm gift card.

4. Enjoy the great outdoors and good luck!

As soon as the Kretz volunteers finished filling backpacks last year for the WeekEnd Backpack (WEB) Program; the crew started discussing ways to do more for this very important and necessary joint venture between the Antigo Unified School District and the Antigo Community Food Pantry.

"We made a monetary donation from our Kretz Score for Charity campaign, and brought a crew to help fill backpacks," said Kretz salesman Jason Brettingen. "Once we learned more about the program, and how many kids throughout the school district relied on these weekly backpacks to get themselves through the weekend ... it became obvious to us that we needed to step up our efforts.

This December - besides for sending a crew of packing volunteers and making a nice "Score for Charity" cash donation, the company was able to donate 360 packets (12 cases) of Boy Scouts microwave popcorn that the company purchased from the local troop. "We though what an awesome way to support two great organizations at the same time," Brettingen added.

The WeekEnd Backpack (WEB) Program helps sustain Antigo's future through nutritional support and education. From October to May, backpacks are prepared weekly and sent home through Antigo area schools. This year between 300-350 backpacks are filled weekly. They contain easy-to-prepare food, and nutritional information such as recipes, for children and families. Personal hygiene items are also included for high school aged participants. Applications are available through school secretaries and guidance counselors. Cost per child per school year to fund WEB is approximately $160.

About 400 volunteers help this program work, from packing, transporting, and hanging up backpacks to fundraising and coordinating work. If you are interested in volunteering or making a financial contribution please contact Sarah Olafson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

With the start of the winter sports season, Kretz Lumber Company is pleased to announce another season of charitable giving tied to the athletic success of the Red Robin varsity teams.

Similar to last year’s program, the hardwood lumber manufacturer will select a weekly local charity, and make a monetary contribution based on the play of Antigo’s varsity teams during that week’s home contest. The company will donate $5 for each:

• Three point shot made (boys/girls basketball)
• Each goal scored (boys/girls hockey)
• Each individual win (wrestling)
• Each 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place event finish (gymnastics)
• Each 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place event finish (boys swimming)
• Each game won (boys and girls bowling)