In the newspaper business, you learn to expect all kinds of feedback on your performance. Editors comb through your prose and offer suggestions. Readers write and tell you how much they enjoyed a particular piece … or point out your many shortcomings as a writer, a reporter, and (believe it or not) as a person.

But rarely does someone try to get you fired.

That’s what happened this week.

And despite the temptation to take literary aim at the culprits who would rather I was unemployed and homeless, and to poke fun at their arguments, I’m going to step back, smile, and let them speak their piece.

If you agree with them … that’s your prerogative. If you don’t … good for me.

But I think letting you read pieces of the letter my editor received will be educational. Here are parts of it (in the interest of fairness, I have omitted any of the snide editorial comments I’d clearly love to make):

“Dear sports Editor: On behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the world’s largest animal rights organization, and our more than 800,000 members and supporters, I’m writing to suggest that it is time to abandon your paper’s fishing column.

“More and more evidence from animal behaviorists shows that fish are sensitive, intelligent, and interesting individuals. These fairly recent discoveries are driving PETA’s new ‘Fish Empathy Project,’ and they lend strong support to the move to relegate fishing columns to the dustbin of history.”

The letter goes on to talk about the mental and social capabilities of fish and cites research to support PETA’s assertions.

Perhaps I’m a Neanderthal, and certainly my reaction to PETA’s earnest (though, in my view, radical) assertions will be dismissed by those who agree with the group that describes itself as “An International Organization Dedicated to Protecting the Rights of All Animals.”

Here’s my take: I, too, am an animal. I choose (as, I would assume, is my “right,” according to the PETA creed) to eat, to thrive, and to survive.

My chosen diet includes meat and fish (as does the chosen diet of many of the wild animals that PETA protects). My recreational activities include hunting and fishing. Luckily, my career choice allows me to combine those recreational activities with the responsibility to tell stories that many of you choose to read.

And despite PETA’s latest efforts to the contrary, I’m assured that you’ll continue to have that opportunity, should you want it.

Sportsmen’s Show set for Orono

One sure sign of spring (no matter how large the snowdrifts happen to be in late March, is the Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show at the University of Maine.

The Penobscot County Conservation Association’s annual event – this year’s show is its 67th – gives outdoors enthusiasts the chance to shop a little, learn a lot, and to rub elbows with those who share the same interests.

This year’s show begins Friday at 5 p.m., and runs through March 20.

According to one of the show’s organizers, Woody Higgins of the PCCA, the goal is to provide visitors a wide variety of displays and programs.

“We try to get a little bit of everything from the outdoors so people have a little bit of everything to look at,” Higgins said.

This year’s show will feature a live black bear on Saturday and Sunday, and Higgins said snowshoe makers and turkey call makers will be new additions.

Also, Butch Phillips of Indian Island will be working on a birch bark canoe during the show, Higgins said.

Among the events for kids are a BB gun range and an archery range, which were extremely popular a year ago.

Nancy Hatch, the PCCA’s treasurer, said the show is a major fund-raiser for the club, and the money helps students with an interest in the outdoors.

“The total [value of] scholarships we give out is about $58,000 per year, so the proceeds that we get from the sportsmen’s show is a major part of that,” Hatch said.

Higgins said another $22,000 per year goes toward defraying the cost of conservation camp for younger students.

Another addition this year: A shuttle bus that will run from the steam plant and Maine Center for the Arts parking lots to the UMaine field house.

The show’s hours: Friday from 5 p.m-9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

A quick reminder: Stop by the BDN booth at the show to visit me, my dog, Pudge, and to enter our “Win a Driftboat Trip” contest.

One lucky entrant will win a trip with guide Dan Legere of the Maine Guide Fly Shop on the East Outlet of the Kennebec River. Entry to our contest is free.

The only catch: I get to go along and write about our day.

Looking forward to seeing you in Orono.

Danger: Moose crossing

One of the things Maine motorists fear most is a close encounter with a moose. When you regularly travel certain roads in the northern and western parts of our state, you’re virtually assured of finding more than a few of the burly critters.

But highways aren’t the only places in need of “moose crossing” signs.

Those who groom the trails used during the recently completed Can-Am Crown sled dog races can tell you that the moose in Maine’s big woods can get pretty territorial.

According to Tylor Kelly, who pitches in to help groom the trails from Maibec to Allagash, a moose on that remote stretch has left his mark more than once over the past two years.

Kelly said that a year ago, it was impossible to keep one trail marker upright, as each time workers put up the sign, the moose tore it down, stomped on it, and broke it to bits.

This year was no different, according to Kelly: A moose in the same location – likely the same animal – continued to knock down the sign every time it was fixed.

Hooked on Fishing day scrapped

Youngsters looking to learn a bit more about ice fishing will have to wait for another opportunity as today’s Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs day at Pickerel Pond has been canceled.

According to Steve Norris, Mother Nature didn’t cooperate, and organizers decided to err on the side of caution.

“Due to the impending storm, we’ve had to pull the plug on the event,” Norris said on Friday.

Maine’s Youth Fish & Game Association hosts a number of outdoor events throughout the year, and we’ll keep you posted as those programs are scheduled.

Coming up on ‘Going Outdoors’

On Monday’s “Going Outdoors” segment of the 6 p.m. ABC-7 newscast, you’ll hear more about the Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show.

I caught up with Higgins and Hatch of the Penobscot County Conservation Association, and they shared a few thoughts about the popular long-running show.

John Holyoke can be reached at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net or by calling 990-8214 or 1-800-310-8600.