Those who enjoy shooting sports are an avid bunch, and many of them spend plenty of time talking about guns, assorted hand loads, and ways to improve in any number of disciplines.

Unfortunately, that same enthusiasm can be a bit intimidating to those who are looking to learn more about shooting, but who don’t have much of a background in the sport.

This weekend, the members of the Penobscot County Conservation Association are holding a program that should put even first-time shooters at ease.

The PCCA’s Introduction to Shooting Sports will be held at two area ranges – the Hermon Skeet Club on the Blackstream Road in Hermon, and the Hampden Rifle & Pistol Club, which is located on Meadow Road in Hampden.

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve headed to Hampden on three different occasions to chat with club president Emery Zambo, and to learn more about what Hampden Rifle & Pistol Club is all about.

In short, I’ve been impressed.

Hampden has handgun ranges and a rifle range with stations at 100, 200, 300 and 600 yards.

And if you’re leery of taking a 600-yard shot (with no scope, no less) during a high-powered competition, you needn’t be: The folks who do show up to compete are more than willing to offer tips to newcomers.

The folks over in Hermon are just as friendly, and just as eager to share their expertise with others.

This weekend, however, has nothing to do with competition.

It’s all about learning, meeting new people and having some fun.

One of the best parts, organizer Charlie Rumsey points out, is that you get to spend a day shooting (for free) and you get to eat (also for free).

Although there’s no charge for the event, you do need a ticket if you’re looking to participate. That way, Charlie and the boys will have enough ammo for you, and they’ll bring you a lunch.

The number to call for tickets is 941-8575.

And when you get there, what can you expect?

Well, at Hampden, there will be action pistol, cowboy action, gallery, and outdoor pistol and rifle.

Over in Hermon, folks can try their hand at skeet, trap and sporting clays.

Rumsey said Wednesday there has been enough interest in the program to open both ranges for the morning and afternoon sessions.

There are, however, still eight to 10 openings available.

The program is being sponsored by a grant from the NRA Foundation and all firearms, ammunition, ear protection and eye protection will be provided.

Participants must be older than 18.

Salmon scoping session planned

The Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission has announced it will continue to discuss the possibility of a spring Atlantic salmon season on the Penobscot River at a scoping session scheduled for Sept. 5.

The meeting will take place 6-8 p.m. at the Bangor DEP conference room, which is on the fourth floor of the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center.

According to a news release, the focus of the meeting will be the risks to populations and recovery if a 30-day May season is held.

Staff members from the Department of Marine Resources’ Bureau of Sea Run Fisheries and Habitat will present a new risk assessment. Staffers will also take comments and answer questions regarding the information.

Previous risk assessments for different scenarios have been compiled and presented by the Atlantic Salmon Commission’s biologists.

The Penobscot River, along with all of Maine’s other salmon rivers, was closed to fishing in 1999. The Penobscot was reopened for an experimental month-long season last fall, and earlier this year an annual fall season was established.

This year’s season will run from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

Licenses for the catch-and-release fall season are available on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Web site at www.mefishwildlife.com.

Anglers and salmon enthusiasts are invited to a unified fisherman’s breakfast, which will be held Sept. 15 at the Eddington Salmon Club. The breakfast will run from 6-10 a.m.

In other salmon news, the area’s salmon clubs will hold their third annual unified banquet Oct. 13 at the Bangor Convention Center on Hogan Road.

The evening’s events begin at 5:30 p.m., and tickets can be obtained from members of the Veazie, Eddington and Penobscot salmon clubs.

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