While many outdoor enthusiasts will head to Augusta today for the State of Maine Sportsman’s Show, residents of Aroostook County – and those who’d like to visit for a day or two – are setting their sights on next weekend’s big event up north.

The popular Presque Isle Fish and Game Club Sportsman’s Show will be held Saturday, April 3, and Sunday, April 4, at Weiden Hall at the University of Maine-Presque Isle. The show runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $2, with children under 10 getting in free.

The exhibition hall will feature more than 50 exhibitors from New Brunswick, Labrador and New England, and plenty of food will be on hand.

Live animals from the A.E. Howell Wildlife Conservation Center will be on display, and the Maine Antler and Skull Trophy Club will offer free scoring of antlers or skulls.

Matthew Heintz, the Northwoods Balladeer, will perform at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.

Another highlight: Attendees will be able to show their shooting skills at the Maine Winter Sports Center’s biathlon computerized indoor shooting range.

$89,900 to buy grooming gear

U.S. senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced this week that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Project has approved federal funding for the purchase of snowmobile trail groomers by two groups.

The town of Greenville will be awarded $65,000, while the Downeast Trail Riders of East Machias will receive $24,900.

“Snowmobiling is a popular, family-oriented recreation in Maine, and in these regions in particular, is an important part of the economy,” Collins and Snowe said in a joint statement.

“We applaud the Department of Agriculture’s ongoing support of Maine’s rural communities, which both enhances recreational opportunities in Maine and promotes economic growth.”

L.L. Bean plans turkey day

Turkey-hunting enthusiasts – or those looking to learn a few pointers before heading out on their first hunt – will have the chance to learn from experts April 3 as L.L. Bean hosts a Turkey Hunting Day.

The Turkey Hunting Day activities will be held in Freeport and be split between the new L.L. Bean Hunting and Fishing Store, the adjacent porch, and the company’s Discovery Park.

Events begin at 9 a.m. and run until 4 p.m.

Among the speakers: regional wildlife biologist Phil Bozenhard, who will talk about safety, biology and tactics of spring hunting in Maine; Primos pro-staffer Steve Peperis, who will talk about hunting mature gobblers; bowhunter Bob Humphrey, who will talk about locating spring turkeys; and Registered Maine Guide Cal Robinson, who will talk about tactics and tackle for taking your first tom.

Demonstrations on tap: Turkey-calling techniques, by Mike Hudalla from Primos and Dave Priebe from Quaker Boy; Proper patterning with choke tubes by the L.L. Bean staff; and a turkey taxidermy exhibit by Randy Brooks.

Beginning at 10 a.m., a sanctioned turkey-calling contest will be held by the National Wild Turkey Federation. Turkey-calling for kids begins at 2 p.m., while a variety of other displays will be shown all day long.

Penobscot Longrifles event set

The Penobscot Longrifles will hold their monthly shoot Sunday at their range in Stetson.

The “Woods Walk” begins at 10 a.m. A $10 entry fee will be charged to members, while non-members pay $15. The entry fee pays for prizes and a hot lunch.

Participants are advised to bring a blanket prize (anything they would be happy to win) if they wish to take part in that additional prize game.

The Penobscot Longrifles range is located on the New Sweden Road, off Route 143.

Due to the warm weather, which might make road conditions deteriorate, participants should contact Evelyn Chase at 672-9210 or crash@midmaine.com to check on the event’s status.

Penobscot Fly Fishers to meet

The Penobscot Fly Fishers will hold their month meeting Wednesday, April 7, at 6 p.m. at the Coach House Restaurant in Brewer.

The featured speaker will be John Banks, director of natural resources for the Penobscot Nation, who will be talking about the restoration project of the Penobscot River.

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.