The Challenge 2027!
Full Details & Rules Coming Soon!

UNPOPULAR OUTDOORS

Greatest Outdoorsman & Outdoorswoman Challenge

January 1 – December 31, 2027 | State of Michigan

An inclusive, mission-driven movement

No politics. No hidden agendas.

How many can you catch, harvest, and pursue across Michigan’s wild places?

One year to prove it.

Our goal is simple: to encourage understanding of the outdoors through experience — not opinion.

What It Is:

The Unpopular Outdoors “Michigan’s Greatest Outdoorsman & Outdoorswoman Challenge” is a year-long Michigan-based event that celebrates the full spectrum of outdoor skills — hunting, fishing, and trapping — and the values these traditions teach.

Participants will log their successful harvests and catches across multiple categories, earning points throughout the year. At year’s end, total points determine standings among Michigan’s most well-rounded outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen.

This is not a single event.

It’s a year-long test of consistency, ethics, knowledge, and respect for the outdoors.

*See draft categories at bottom of page.

**Full rules and scoring system to be released soon.

Why We’re Doing This:

This challenge exists to do more than crown a winner — it exists to strengthen a legacy.

Across Michigan, extraordinary outdoor opportunities exist in our forests, waters, and communities. Yet too many young people grow up believing these experiences are out of reach, when in reality they are surrounded by traditions and landscapes that can shape confidence, purpose, and responsibility for a lifetime.

Through this challenge, we aim to:

• Showcase the outdoor opportunities found across Michigan
• Help every child recognize what exists in their own backyard
• Build patience, resilience, responsibility, and confidence through real-world experiences
• Encourage understanding between participants and non-participants
• Preserve traditions while respecting differing perspectives

This is not about persuading participation — it is about preserving understanding.

We believe respect does not require agreement, and appreciation does not require participation. Our goal is to ensure the next generation has the knowledge, opportunity, and freedom to decide for themselves what the outdoors will mean in their lives — while understanding why it matters to others.

Who Can Participate?

Everyone is welcome to be part of the mission!

General Challenge Participants

• Must be out of high school or legally graduated
• Must follow all Michigan laws, licensing requirements, and ethical standards
• Eligible for overall standings, awards, and grand prize

Youth Participation (No Cost)

- Any child may take part in the challenge at no charge.

- Youth participants are not competing for the grand prize.

They are participating to:
• Support the mission of building understanding through experience
• Showcase the outdoor opportunities available in their communities
• Learn, explore, and form their own informed perspectives

This portion of the challenge is about inclusion, not competition.

A Statewide Effort:

We’re working to involve participants from every county in Michigan — helping show youth that outdoor opportunities exist everywhere, not just in a few places.

How It Works:

One entry per species/category (*upgrades allowed throughout the year)
Points awarded based on species, size, and category criteria
Bonus points for youth engagement and challenge identifiers *More to come on this.
Participants are not required to compete in all categories — but broader participation increases scoring opportunities
By signing up for the challenge, you’re automatically entered into our monthly random giveaways!

What’s In It for You?

Participating in the Greatest Outdoorsman & Outdoorswoman Challenge means more than competing — it means leaving a lasting impact.

Recognition & Achievement

• Compete for the Greatest Outdoorsman / Outdoorswoman Trophy
• Earn a grand prize that grows with total participation
• Be recognized among Michigan’s most well-rounded outdoor participants

Monthly Sponsor Giveaways

Thanks to the generosity of our incredible sponsors, participants will be eligible for random monthly giveaways throughout the year.
These giveaways are made possible through sponsor donations and are our way of rewarding participation, supporting the outdoor community, and keeping engagement high all season long.

Legacy in Your Name

The overall winners will also be honored through:
• High school scholarships awarded in their name
• Youth outdoor program sponsorships awarded in their name, expanding access to outdoor opportunities
Your success directly supports the next generation — creating opportunities for young people to experience the outdoors for themselves.

Real Impact Beyond the Challenge

By participating, you help:
• Showcase outdoor opportunities across Michigan
• Inspire youth to explore what exists in their own communities
• Provide positive outlets beyond screens and negative influences
• Promote respect and understanding between participants and non-participants

- You’re not just entering a competition — you’re helping build a future where young people have the chance to learn, explore, and decide for themselves what the outdoors will mean in their lives.

High School Senior Scholarship Opportunity

The Unpopular Outdoors Challenge includes a dedicated scholarship opportunity for high school seniors across Michigan. This initiative is designed to encourage understanding, respect, and informed decision-making about outdoor traditions — regardless of whether a student chooses to participate in hunting, fishing, or trapping.

Who Is Eligible

Any Michigan high school senior
Participation in the challenge is free for seniors
Students do not need to hunt, fish, or trap to be considered
High school seniors are not eligible to win the overall Greatest Outdoorsman or Outdoorswoman title

How to Participate:

High school seniors may participate in one of two ways:

1. Challenge Participation
- Seniors may participate under the same rules and point system as other participants. While their entries may be scored, they are not competing for the overall championship title. Combined with submitting an essay on what these activities have taught you or what positive affects they’ve had on your life.

2. Essay Submission (No Participation Required)
- Students may submit a written essay describing:

What hunting, fishing, or trapping has taught them and why it matters, or
If they have never participated, why they believe these traditions should continue and how they impact their community, culture, or environment

This option ensures that students from all backgrounds — including non-participants — can engage thoughtfully and be considered. Get creative. There are no right or wrong answers here. The number of scholarships and sponsorships awarded each year will grow with participation. Our goal is simple: the more people involved, the more opportunities we create for Michigan’s youth.

How Scholarships Are Awarded

Scholarships are awarded based on:

Character and effort
Thoughtfulness and perspective
Understanding of outdoor traditions and their role in community and conservation
Contribution to the spirit and mission of the challenge

A senior competing in the challenge, with the highest point total may receive a scholarship, but point totals alone do not guarantee selection.

Purpose of the Scholarship

This scholarship is not about promoting participation — it is about promoting understanding.

Our goal is to help young people:

Recognize outdoor opportunities in their own communities
Make informed decisions about participation
Develop respect for differing perspectives
Understand the role of outdoor traditions in conservation and community

By investing in students, we invest in the future of Michigan’s outdoor heritage — whether they choose to participate directly or simply carry forward an informed respect for those who do.

Transparency

50% of entry fees support administration and event operations
30% directly funds scholarships and youth outdoor program sponsorships
20% will be evenly divided between the men’s and women’s winner in the form of a grand prize.
100% of voluntary donations go directly to youth funding

Entry Fee Breakdown Example:

Entry Fee: $200 per participant - STILL UNDECIDED ON FINAL FEE!!!

Per Entry Allocation

$100 (50%) → Administration & event operations
$60 (30%) → Scholarships & youth outdoor program sponsorships
$40 (20%) → Grand prize fund

If 500 Participants Enter:

Total Collected: $100,000

Administration → $50,000
Scholarships & Youth Programs → $30,000
Grand Prize Pool → $20,000

Grand Prize Split:

Men’s Winner → $10,000
Women’s Winner → $10,000

Why This Matters:

The more people who participate:

The more scholarships are awarded
The more youth programs are supported
The larger the grand prize becomes
The greater the impact across Michigan

This structure ensures the challenge grows in both opportunity and impact year after year.

The Bigger Picture

This challenge is about more than competition.

It’s about:

Helping kids understand what exists around them
Providing positive outlets beyond screens and negative influences
Making outdoor experiences accessible to everyone
Allowing young people to make informed decisions for themselves
Encouraging respect across different perspectives

Because understanding builds stronger communities.

Unpopular Outdoors Challenge – Category List (Draft)

All harvests must occur during Michigan’s open seasons and comply with all state laws, regulations, and licensing requirements. For fishing entries, this includes both hardwater and open water seasons.

Fishing Categories (Michigan’s recognized Master Angler Species)

Bass, Largemouth
Bass, Rock
Bass, Smallmouth
Bass, White
Bluegill
Buffalo, Bigmouth
Buffalo, Black
Bullhead, Black
Bullhead, Brown
Bullhead, Yellow
Bowfin
Burbot
Carp, Common
Carpsucker, Quillback
Catfish, Channel
Catfish, Flathead
Cisco (Lake Herring)
Crappie, Black
Crappie, White
Freshwater Drum
Lake Sturgeon
Longnose Gar
Muskellunge, Great Lakes
Muskellunge, Northern
Northern Pike
Perch, White
Perch, Yellow
Salmon, Atlantic
Salmon, Chinook
Salmon, Coho
Salmon, Pink
Smelt
Splake
Sucker, Longnose
Sucker, N. Hog
Sucker, Redhorse
Sucker, White
Sunfish, Green
Sunfish, Hybrid
Sunfish, Pumpkinseed
Sunfish, Redear
Sunfish, Warmouth
Trout, Brook
Trout, Brown
Trout, Lake
Trout, Rainbow (Steelhead)
Walleye
Whitefish, Lake
Whitefish, Menominee

Hunting Categories

Big Game

Whitetail Deer (Compound/Crossbow)
Whitetail Deer (Firearm)
Bear
Turkey

Predators & Small Game

Coyote
Fox
Bobcat
Red Squirrel
Fox Squirrel
Gray Squirrel
Black Squirrel
Snowshoe Hare
Porcupine

Upland Birds

Ruffed Grouse
Woodcock
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Ring-necked Pheasant

Waterfowl

Canada Goose
Snow Goose
Drake Merganser
Drake Mallard
Drake Wood Duck
Drake Blue-winged Teal
Drake Green-winged Teal
Drake Canvasback
Drake Redhead
Drake Wigeon
Drake Pintail
Drake Greater Scaup
Drake Long-tailed Duck

Special Method Categories

Spearing Northern Pike – *Through the ice

* Each category will have points associated with it, contributing to a participant’s overall score. A detailed scoring system will be released at a later date.

The Challenge 2027! Full Details & Rules Coming Soon!