If you’re hoping that this year the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife’s magic moose computer will finally spit out your name and grant you the permit you’ve always wanted, you won’t have a chance if you don’t heed this warning.

The deadline is approaching.

If you want to be included in this year’s moose-permit lottery, you have to fill out the paperwork (or the online equivalent) soon. The deadline for Internet entry in the lottery is 11:59 p.m. on April 3.

I completed my (sure-to-be-lucky) online form a couple of weeks ago, and the DIF&W computer system works very well. You will need your hunting license (if you want to get credit for bonus points you may have accrued) and you’ll have to know the birth date of your subpermittee.

After that, it’s just a matter of clicking the mouse a few times (and concentrating on thinking only positive thoughts, so as to not jinx your entry before the moose computer begins its work).

According to Mark Latti of the DIF&W, if you want to be on hand to hear your name read aloud, you’ll have to head south this year.

“[The lottery] is going to be in Scarborough, at Scarborough Downs,” Latti reported on Friday. The date is June 15, and the festivities will begin at 6 p.m.

While Scarborough isn’t in the middle of what most would consider prime moose hunting territory, Latti said holding the event at a Cumberland County site reflects the department’s intent to hold the lottery at venues across the state.

Over the past three years the moose-permit lottery has been held in Rumford (2005), Presque Isle (2004), and Old Town (2003).

Latti said DIF&W advisory council members and state legislators are eager to host the event in their home districts.

“Each community does it differently,” Latti said. “In some areas, there’s a small sportsman’s show, with exhibitors. It’s also a nice fund-raiser for local booster’s clubs. It’s always a fun time.”

If you haven’t entered the lottery yet, you can do so at www.mefishwildlife.com. And if you’re really lucky, you might even become the winner of a 1957 Dodge warden’s truck, which the DIF&W is giving away at the end of the year.

Sportsman’s show hints

For the 68th consecutive year, the Penobscot County Conservation Association will welcome thousands of outdoors enthusiasts this weekend at the always-popular Eastern Maine Sportsman’s Show.

The show opened on Friday and will run through Sunday afternoon at the University of Maine field house, Memorial Gym, and Stanley Wallace Pool.

And though every longtime attendee has their own tried-and-true strategy, here are a few tips culled from more than a few years of attending and working at a booth at this annual harbinger of spring.

. New front door? First, it’ll be hard to enjoy the show if you can’t get into the building, and there’s been a small change on that front. Over the past few years, visitors have headed in through the field house hallway that faces toward Alfond Arena.

Woody Higgins of the PCCA said that this year, visitors will be expected to enter through the Memorial Gym’s front doors, which face out onto the UMaine’s mall and the black bear statue.

The bonus: Memorial Gym, off-limits to the PCCA for the past several years, will again be open with booths, exhibits, and a stage.

Shuttle buses will be available, so don’t get discouraged if you can’t find a parking spot close to the field house.

. Go to the dogs. If you’re looking for an interesting demonstration, check the schedule and find out when the dogs take over Wallace Pool. Especially if you’ve got kids in tow.

Watching these water dogs work is amazing … even if you leave doubting that your own “Rover” will ever be able to perform at the same level.

The dog demonstrations are always worthwhile, and a good way to give the kids a break from wandering the endless aisle in the field house.

. Tie one on. There are plenty of people to talk to at the show and plenty of exhibitors willing to tell you everything you need to know about … well … nearly anything.

For those who appreciate the hands-on approach, consider sitting down and tying a fly with one of the accomplished tiers.

This activity is especially fun for kids. If you’ve never seen the reaction of a child who has tied their first fly, all by themselves, it’s something to remember.

To veteran fishermen, flies are essential tools. To children, making a fly of their own is more like a practical arts-and-crafts class. The experts at the Orono show are great with kids, and you’ll have as much fun watching as you would if you were tying them yourself.

A quick reminder: It might be a good idea to bring a camera along to document the momentous occasion.

. Buy a ticket … or three. A sportsman’s show isn’t a sportsman’s show without a raffle. Make that, “without plenty of raffles.

And I wholeheartedly suggest that you bring a few extra bucks and take part in as many as you can afford.

You may win a fly rod or a vacation, or (as is the case in the free drawing you’ll find at the Bangor Daily News booth) a drift boat trip down the East Outlet of the Kennebec River.

And even if you don’t end up cashing in, the groups sponsoring the raffles need your help.

Most are conservation-oriented organizations who do a lot of good things for outdoors folks in the state. This is our chance to give back to them, and help them continue their valuable work.

. Paddle smart. All of us think we can paddle a canoe. All of us think we’ll know what to do if we end up wet.

And few of us know as much as we think we do.

That’s why you might want to consider taking in one of the paddling symposiums that’ll be offered during the show.

Whether you’re a whitewater expert or only use your canoe to get from one prime fishing spot to another, it’ll be worth your time.

That added knowledge could come in handy some day … and if it does, you’ll be glad you spent a half-hour paying attention instead of eating another box of popcorn.

. Shoot from the hip. Another highlight of the show for many kids is the chance to try things they may have never done.

The Maine Bowhunters Association hosts one such opportunity, allowing youngsters to try their hand with a bow and arrow – under their expert guidance, of course.

In past years there has also been an air rifle range staffed by some of the most safety-conscious shooters you’re ever going to meet.

Kids visiting that booth get to do a bit of target shooting, and to learn valuable gun-handling lessons from the best.

Look for both booths, and do your kids a favor: Let them stop and enjoy the show as much as you are.

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