Worchester Fish & Hunting Expo Feb. 7-10

[RJ]

EASTERN FISHING & OUTDOOR EXPOSITION RETURNS TO THE WORCESTER DCU CENTER* FEBRUARY 7-10* 2008

Escape to the great outdoors at the 32nd Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition at the Worcester DCU Center on February 7-10* 2008. It’s a sportsman’s paradise with aisle after aisle of the latest hunting and fishing gear* boats* ATVs* and exhibits on great outdoor getaways. More than 350 vendors will fill the DCU complex with a vast array of the ultimate outdoor equipment.
“We have an extraordinary lineup of exhibitors*” says Jonathan Sauers* show manager. “It doesn’t matter what your skill level* interest or budget is* you’ll find what you’re looking for at the Expo.”

Now is the perfect time to check out the new rods and reels for 2008. Major fishing tackle manufacturers such as Okuma* Shimano* Penn* Daiwa* St. Croix* Quantum and many more* will showcase the latest in fishing tackle technology. In addition* numerous custom tackle makers will display merchandise not available in retail stores or catalogues. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to be the first to see* touch and try these new and innovative products.

The Expo scores a bull’s eye with hunters* as numerous sporting gun manufacturers have top products on display* and archery buffs can find the ideal bow right nearby. Set your sights on great deals for all your outdoor needs* as retailers will be selling at special show prices. Now is also the time to put together that perfect sporting adventure for you and your family. Visit outfitters* guides* and lodges from throughout North America and plan that ultimate trip.

In true Expo tradition* sportsmen at the top of their game will be on hand to host a series of seminars. Appearing for the first time is Terry Scroggins. Scroggins is a leading money winner on the bass tournament circuit and placed fourth out of 108 anglers in the 2007 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. He is also a four-time qualifier for the Bassmaster Classic. Scroggins appears Friday and Saturday* courtesy of Toyota.

Other first-time speakers include Ish Monroe* a popular name on the bass tournament tour* who will present daily seminars at the bass tank; Monroe is sponsored by Daiwa. Presented by the Kittery Trading Post is RealTree TV star Tim Andrus who will offer deer hunting seminars Friday and Saturday.

Joining Andrus is Steve Hickoff* a regular contributor to Outdoor Life Magazine who will “talk turkey*”offering expert advice on hunting this wily game bird. Returning long-time favorites are Mike Laptew* showcasing the first-ever high definition underwater video of game fish* Peter Fiduccia* the “Deer Doctor*” saltwater experts Blaine Anderson* Frank Daignault* Dave Pickering and Bob Sampson* bass fishing masters* the Lucarelli family* and freshwater guru Dr. Hal Lyon. Saturday is Whitetail Superday* sponsored by Odor SCIENCE* and will be jam-packed tips and talks by hunting experts.

Showgoers’s jaws will drop at the sight of the “Border Brute*” an amazing set of antlers which scores 217 typical--greater than the current world record. The G-3 tines are 17 1/8 and 16 5/8* and believed to be the longest set of tines in existence. The antlers are sheds found in 2004 along the Kansas/Missouri border.

The Border Brute should be motivation for hunters to enter the Trophy Buck Contest. Presented by the Northeast Big Buck Club* the contest will offer awards for several categories of antlers. Entries will be on display throughout the week of the show. For rules and regulations* visit www.sportshows.com* starting in early December.

Every day brings new and exciting activities to the Expo. Returning this year (as an international movie star* no less) is crowd favorite Brody the Bear. Brody is the star of the soon-to-be-released movie “Grizzly Park*” a thriller that will keep moviegoers on the edge of their seats. Brody* now weighing 1500 pounds* will appear with long-time handler Jeff Watson* who has had Brody since he was an eight-week-old cub.

New this year is Jonathan Custead and his amazing live reptile show. Audiences will hold their breaths as Custead goes face to face with some of the world’s deadliest snakes* and introduces Lassie* a seven-foot alligator. Also making its debut is the Cave* an exhibit simulating the underground world where kids can hunt for fossils. This unique and educational experience is presented by Cold River Mining* who will also bring their popular gemstone panning sluice. Families will enjoy exploring the trout pond* catching nature shows with live birds of prey* and participating in duck box building day. Sponsored by Ducks Unlimited* and held on Sunday* this program allows children to build either a wood duck box or a bluebird box.

There will be daily drawings for fabulous prizes. One of the big ones is a fantastic fishing trip to Crocodile Bay Lodge in Costa Rica. -Showgoers will also get a sneak peek at the new 2008 Toyota Tundra. Toyota is the 2008 sponsor of the Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition.

Plan your outdoor escape! Bring the entire family to the Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition* running February 7-10* 2008 at the DCU Center. Show hours are Thursday and Friday* 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.* Saturday* 10:00 a.m. to 7 p.m.* and Sunday* 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $11.00 for adults* and $3.00 for children under 12. Children under age 5 are admitted free.

The DCU Center in Worcester is easily accessible off I-290. Take Exit 16 and follow the signs.
For 2008* the title sponsor for the Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition is Toyota Trucks. On The Water Magazine is the official program book sponsor and Whitetail Superday is presented by OdorSCIENCE. Visit www.sportshows.com for complete details on the 2008 Expo.

[RJ]

TAKE YOUR FAMILY ON AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE AT THE 32ND TOYOTA EASTERN FISHING & OUTDOOR EXPOSITION AT THE WORCESTER DCU CENTER* FEBRUARY
7-10* 2008


Snakes* birds* bears! It’s not the zoo* it’s wildlife up close and live at the 32nd Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition* running February 7-10* 2008 at the Worcester DCU Center in Worcester* MA. Bring the family to see these amazing animals* and much more* as the great outdoors comes indoors.

Returning this year (as an international star no less) is crowd favorite* Brody the Bear. Brody is the star of the soon-to-be-released movie* “Grizzly Park*” a thriller about eight troubled young people doing community service in the California forests with a strict park ranger. Unfortunately* the ranger isn’t their only problem--also roaming the woods is a serial killer* and one 1*500 pound Grizzly Bear. The film is sure to have theatergoers on the edge of their seats* and Brody recognized for his “star power.”

Brody* who has grown since his last visit to the Expo* will appear with long-time handler Jeff Watson* who has had the bear since he was an eight-week-old cub. Audiences are amazed at the bond between the two* and at Brody’s mammoth physique.

New this year is Jonathan Custead and his fascinating live reptile show. Audiences will hold their breaths as Custead goes face to face with some of the world’s deadliest snakes* and introduces Lassie* a seven-foot alligator. Among the reptiles being showcased are an anaconda* reticulated python* Burmese python* and some of the most venomous snakes in the world* including Rattlesnakes* a King Cobra* and the Deadly Black Mamba.

Lassie* the alligator* was less than two feet long when Custead acquired her* and he likes to say that the two of them have “grown up together.” He uses Lassie* and a four-foot Nile crocodile to showcase the differences between crocodiles and alligators. While thrilling* Custead’s program is also packed with educational information* including plenty of audience interaction* and time for questions. Audience members are invited to see the animals up close after the show* and may even have the chance to touch certain species.

Kids will clamor to explore the “Cave*” a new exhibit simulating the underground world where kids can hunt for fossils. This unique and informational experience is presented by Cold River Mining* who will also

bring their popular gemstone panning sluice. Families will also enjoy exploring the trout pond* and seeing Talons* one of the Expo’s most popular shows. Talons showcases a range of raptors* as master falconer Lorrie Schumacher explains the behaviors and lifestyles of these “masters of flight.” Daily flying presentations are offered* and young and old will enjoy viewing these incredible birds up close.

Junior anglers will want to test their skills at the fishing simulator* and on Sunday* the Plano Tackle Company will give away 200 tackle boxes to the first 200 children (ages 6 to 11) entering the show. That same day* children can also learn casting through the National Guard Cast for Education Program* which awards prizes for casting skills. In addition* Sunday features duck box building* sponsored by Ducks Unlimited. Children can build either a wood duck box* bluebird box or tree swallow box.

They can keep their tree swallow or bluebird box* while the wood duck box will be donated to the Massachusetts Fish & Wildlife Service. Fish & Wildlife will provide families with a report on their wood duck nesting project. This is hands-on fun that helps support wildlife and a great family endeavor.
While at the Expo* families will want to check out the exhibits by outfitters* guides and lodges throughout North America. They can help you put together the perfect outdoor adventure for your family.

Bring the entire family to the Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition* running February 7-10* 2008 at the DCU Center in Worcester* MA. Show hours are Thursday and Friday* 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.* Saturday* 10:00 a.m. to 7 p.m.* and Sunday* 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $11.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 12. Children under age 5 are admitted free. The DCU Center in Worcester is easily accessible off of I-290. Take Exit 16 and follow the signs.

For 2008* the title sponsor for the Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition is Toyota Trucks. On The Water Magazine is the official program book sponsor and Whitetail Superday is presented by OdorSCIENCE. Visit www.sportshows.com for complete details on the 2008 Expo.

[RJ]

A GALAXY OF GREATS SHARES THEIR KNOWLEDGE AT THE TOYOTA EASTERN FISHING & OUTDOOR EXPOSITION* FEBRUARY 7-10* 2008 AT THE WORCESTER DCU CENTER

From open water to forest and field* the Expo has the “big guns” when it comes to seminars. Sportsmen at the top of their game will be appearing at the 32nd Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition* February 7-10* 2008* at the Worcester DCU Center in Worcester* MA. Among the greats are Terry Scroggins* who appears at the Expo for the first time.

Scroggins is a leading money winner on the bass tournament circuit and placed fourth out of 108 anglers in the 2007 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. He is also a four-time qualifier for the Bassmaster Classic* and has finished in the money in 56 out of 81 tournaments entered. His earnings now approach $1 million dollars. Scroggins appears Friday and Saturday* courtesy of Toyota.

Presenting daily is Ish Monroe* a nine-year professional bass angler currently ranked 23rd in the world by BassFan.com. He has 12 top ten finishes and has earned more than half a million dollars on the tournament trail. Sponsored by Daiwa* Ish will give talks at the bass tank. Returning long-time favorites are Mike Laptew* “the diving fisherman*” who will present the first-ever high-definition underwater video of game fish* plus saltwater experts Blaine Anderson* Frank Daignault* Dave Pickering* and Bob Sampson. The father and son team of Joe and Steve Lucarelli* bass fishing experts from New Hampshire* and freshwater guru Dr. Hal Lyon* will also join the lineup.

Many of the pros will conduct demonstrations at Gary Haine’s Travelin’ Fish Tank * so you can see firsthand the technique that made these anglers champions.

Hunters won’t want to miss the lineup of incredible talent. Appearing Friday and Saturday is Tim Andrus* Realtree television star* who will present seminars on deer hunting. Sponsored by Kittery Trading Post*
Andrus has appeared on ESPN* The Outdoor Channel* and is featured on Realtree’s “Monster Buck” series.
Also appearing Friday and Saturday is Steve Hickoff* popular contributor to Outdoor Life Magazine. Hickoff will “talk turkey*” sharing his expertise on hunting these wily game birds.

Back by popular demand is Peter Fiduccia* the “Deer Doctor*” who will once again share his extensive expertise. Fiduccia is the author of the best-selling “Whitetail Strategies*” and host of the syndicated television show* “Woods and Water.” Also returning is The Benoit Family* New England’s premier deer hunting family* known for their incredible success at harvesting big bucks. Wayne Hockmeyer* legendary Maine Master Guide* and creator of the banjo minnow--probably the biggest selling lure of all time--will speak both on bass fishing and deer hunting. For the past 30 years* Hockmeyer has lived in the woods for six weeks each season* hunting* tracking and learning the ways of the whitetails. He throws out much of the traditional hunting concepts* and his presentation is always packed with fascinating facts.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from the best in the field. The 32nd Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition runs February 7-10* 2008 at the Worcester DCU Center in Worcester* MA. Show hours are Thursday and Friday* 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.* Saturday* 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.* and Sunday* 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $11.00 for adults* and $3.00 for children under 12. Children under age five are admitted free.

For 2008* the title sponsor for the Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition is Toyota Trucks. On The Water Magazine is the official program book sponsor and Whitetail Superday is presented by OdorSCIENCE. Visit www.sportshows.com for complete details on the 2008 Expo.