Organizers are making final preparations for the 2005 Governor’s Cup bass tournament to be held Sunday on Cobbossee Lake.

The Maine B.A.S.S. Federation and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife sponsor the tourney, during which members of the Maine Senate compete against members of the House of Representatives in a catch, measure and release event.

This year’s proceeds will benefit the March of Dimes.

Members of the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation will act as boat captains and guides.

The tournament will run from 8 a.m. to noon, when awards will be presented.

Colonel’s outdoor tip

Each week Col. Tom Santaguida, chief of the Maine Warden Service, offers an outdoor tip in the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife’s weekly report. This week’s tip:

Turkey season has just ended and now the long wait until next hunting season begins. There are a few activities that can keep you busy and get you ready for next season:

. Go through your firearms and clean them well and make sure they are in safe operating condition before next hunting season sneaks up on you;

. Stop by and visit with landowners who gave you permission to hunt last year and ask again for next year. Offer to help them out with their hay or firewood, or just plain thank them for allowing you the privilege of hunting on their property;

. Put up your wooden tree seats (remember, only after you have obtained landowner permission) during the summer so they get weathered and aren’t new and don’t spook game animals during the season;

. Use your GPS to mark good hunting spots, tree seats, and wildlife crossings. This will give you an advantage for next fall and also help you keep from getting turned around.

Good luck fishing, have fun boating, and enjoy preparing for next hunting season early!

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.