Hunting and Fishing Show Jan 16-18

Contact: John Laberge, 802.877.0033

Email:





Hunting and Fishing Show Opens in Essex Junction, VT: January 16, 2004
Deer and Deer Hunting Field Editor, The Benoits, VT Governor and other VIPS
in attendance



Vergennes, VT- The 12th Annual Yankee Sportsman's Classic returns to the
Robert E. Miller Expo Center in Essex Junction, VT. A three-day event,
January 16-18, the Yankee brings together thousands of hunters, anglers,
trappers and their families. During this long weekend, they can attend
seminars, check out the latest gear, talk with wildlife and fisheries
experts, and even book an elk hunt "Out West" or a fishing trip in Canada.
The kids can catch a fish in the free trout pond hosted by the professionals
with the LCI Derbies or see live raptors up close.



With nearly 140 exhibitors, there is something for everyone and their
family. Special features include The Birds of Prey display with Jonathan
Wood. They will feature 20-25 different species in their booth. The 2003
NRA Big Buck Collection and a fly-casting pond staffed by Maine Master Guide
Carroll Ware. On display will be the #1 buck in New York State as well as
Alan Nelson of New Hampshire with his 300-pound Maine whitetail. There will
be appearances by the nationally acclaimed gundog trainer Alec Sparks, the
Benoit deer hunting family with all their 2003 hunting news. Author of The
Deer Trackers and On The Track, famed Maine deer hunter and Deer & Deer
Hunting Field Editor Dick Bernier, will also be presenting seminars, three
unique sessions. Expert game callers Bradley Carleton, Dick Greene and Al
Morelli will present several seminars on duck and turkey calling,
respectively. Milo Hanson will also be visiting the show in the Charles
Lindsay Sport Camps booth. Don't miss the Wilderness Survival classes,
either. Area hunters can display deer mounts on the Wall of Trophies. And
there is much more.



A portion of the proceeds is donated to Camp Ta-Kum-ta in Colchester, VT to
benefit children terminally ill with cancer.



Fishing and hunting are very important to both the culture and the economy
of Vermont where 30 percent of Vermonters fish and hunt-not even this many
Vermonters ski (19 percent). 53 percent of Vermonters participate in
wildlife-related recreation placing Vermont fourth in the nation with higher
participation only in Alaska, Idaho and Montana. The national average is 38
percent. For the year 2001, nearly $300 million was spent on fishing and
hunting in Vermont. When all is said and done, five percent of Vermont's
Gross State Product is attributable to fishing, hunting and wildlife-related
recreation; this ranks Vermont 1st in the East and 4th nationally behind
Alaska, Wyoming and Montana.

The Robert E. Miller Expo Center is located just east of 1nterstate 89 Exit
15 on Route 15 at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds. The show hours are
Friday, noon-8pm; Saturday, 9am-7pm; and Sunday, 9am-5pm. Tickets prices
are $8 for adults and $3 for children. A three-day pass is available for
$12. For more information, photos and/or a schedule of events, call
802.877.0033, visit www.yankeeclassic.net or pick up the January issue of
Outdoors Magazine.





Statistics cited above are from the following sources: Izaak Walton League
of America, Wildlife Conservation Fund of America, US Department of the
Interior, National Wildlife Federation and VT Ski Areas Association


--
James Ehlers

Outdoors Magazine
www.outdoorsmagazine.net