When the most recent guidlines came out defining essential and non-essential businesses, Kretz Lumber Company was deemed essential. You might be wondering, what makes us essential?

One of the core products we provide is pallet boards. From food to healthcare, pallets are instrumental in shipping and transporting of goods. The pallet industry needs these boards to protect against supply chains disruptions. 

Our sawmill also produces animal bedding to farmers, and chips to paper mills. The majority of these products stay here in the central Wisconsin region. It is a good feeling to know our efforts are helping out people right here in our backyard.

It's time to get outside and take some pictures of Wisconsin's winter scenery!

Share your best winter-in-Wisconsin picture with us by uploading one of your photos 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 takes home the top prize of 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 6, 2020.
   Only one photo/submission per person. Any photo submitted must be your personal image 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 7, 2020 and then voted on by Kretz Lumber Facebook fans through February 14, 2020. The picture with the most likes as of 11:59 pm CST on February 14, 2020 will win one $25 Fleet Farm gift card.
   
4. Enjoy the great outdoors and good luck!

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.