Demonstrations, sportsmen’s shows, seminars scheduled

As winter draws to a close and outdoors enthusiasts begin (or continue) planning for spring and summer pursuits, trade shows offer a good opportunity to browse, dream and learn a few things.

As reported in past issues, the Eastern Maine Sportsman’s Show is scheduled for March 21-23 at the University of Maine in Orono.

If you end up missing that one, don’t despair. There’s more on tap.

The 23rd annual State of Maine Sportsman’s Show is scheduled for March 28-30 at the Augusta Civic Center.

The show is sponsored by the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and The Maine Sportsman.

Billed as “the largest gathering of experts ever to assemble under one roof in Maine,” the State of Maine show will provide plenty of vendor booths, along with displays and seminars that should prove informative.

The headliners for this year’s show: Jeff Watson’s pet – a 1,200-pound Kodiak grizzly bear named Brody; and Odie Sudbeck’s antler display, which includes some of the world’s largest deer racks.

Attendees can look forward to 89 seminars, stage events and demonstrations.

Among the programs of note: The Maine Spaniel Field Trial Club conducts indoor and outdoor seminars; the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association conducts an onstage dog-handling show, and the Maine Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation stages the 18th Maine State Open turkey calling contest. That event will be held on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Another highlight will be Maine’s largest wildlife and outdoor art show.

The show will run from 4-9 p.m. on Friday, from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $6 on Friday and Sunday and $7 on Sunday. Children aged 5-12 are admitted for $4 every day and children 4 and under always get in free.

Turkey seminar scheduled

If you’re one of those lucky individuals whose name was picked in the turkey permit lottery – or if you just want to be prepared when your name is finally drawn – there’s a program you might want to consider.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, along with the Penobscot Valley Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, will present a public seminar on turkey hunting on Saturday, March 15.

The program will be held at 1 p.m. at the East Millinocket town office.

A wildlife biologist will review the history of Maine’s wild turkey restoration program, along with wild turkey foods and the reasons for a spring turkey hunt. The biologist will also discuss characteristics of the bird and how to distinguish between hens and gobblers.

Experienced hunters will discuss hunting techniques, signs for locating wild turkeys, scouting, locating and positioning, the use of calls and decoys, camouflage, safety, and patterning your weapon.

The program is open to the public, but hunters who received a permit are encouraged to attend.

For more information, call 732-4132.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402-1329.