It’s showtime for the region’s outdoor enthusiasts and a sure promise that indeed, spring is coming.
Starting today (Jan. 14), for Farm and Dairy readers, is the highly anticipated Cleveland Boat Show, a five-day showcase of sale priced boats, and beginning tomorrow, the equally anticipated three-day Cleveland Sport and Adventure Show. Yes, both shows have official names but both will forever be referred to as the Cleveland Boat Show and Cleveland Sport Show.
Once held on different dates, the bonus now is that both shows are under the same super-sized roof (the IX Center) and held at the same time. Thus fans of both can visit each on the same weekend.
Two for one
How can it get any better than that? Instead of paying two parking fees and attendance fees for each show, one can purchase a single discounted ticket that allows entry to both shows. The boat show runs Jan. 14-Jan. 18, and the sport and adventure show runs Jan. 15-Jan. 17.
Other important upcoming dates include the second annual Preppers Ball set for Feb. 13, at the Arena Complex on the grounds of Summit County Fairgrounds, located just north of the Tallmadge circle.
Featured celebrities
Radio host and former NFL standout Bob Golic, and wife, Karen, will be the featured celebs and “voices” of the event, which is sponsored by The Realize — Firearms Awareness Coalition, a local group that encourages people to be ready for any threatening event such as severe storms, long-term power outages, and other events.
Event organizer Amanda Suffecool, also a radio host, bases the now annual Preppers Ball activities on educating attendees in self-reliance skills, product sources, and self-defense.
For more information go to REALIZEFAC.ORG, or contact Suffecool at 330-993-7080.
Deer hunting opinions
Many randomly selected Ohio deer hunters have been sent invitations to complete a survey concerning their opinions about the state’s deer management strategies. Deer management in Ohio has recently sparked heated debate between stakeholders, mainly hunters who want more deer and insurance lobbies who want fewer.
ODNR’s Mike Tonkovich, who leads management strategists in setting herd county by county goals, said that new strategies will be using different, more defined boundaries such as rivers and highways, to localize goals. This important hunter survey, a first ever, should be completed and returned by now, or very soon. It will have an impact on upcoming hunting seasons, bag limits, antlerless permit uses, and localized management efforts.
Coyote hunting
The Ohio Division of Wildlife, Akron office, will host a free coyote hunting and trapping workshop Jan. 27, beginning at 6 p.m. Without argument, coyotes are more numerous than ever and programs such as this provide valuable information about these secretive predators.
For directions, additional information, or reservation, contact Joseph Ferrara at 330-644-2293.
Big bucks
The Buckeye Big Buck Club, an organization that holds the records on the state’s impressive trophy deer, will hold its annual banquet and awards ceremony Feb. 13, at the Ashland University Convocation Center.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children. Antlers must meet or exceed 30 inches for typical racks, and 160 inches for non-typical racks, to be recognized as an official entry to the Buckeye Big Buck Club.
Go to Buckeyebigbuckclub.org for information.
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