The popular Central New York Sportsmans Show returns to the Oneida Kallet Civic Center this Saturday, February 8. It is a chance to escape the winter doldrums, take advantage of bargains in sporting goods and have a chance to learn more about your favorite sports.

It will be fun for the entire family with the Utica Zoo presenting a seminar on Wildlife Live” and other exhibits for youngsters. Have them stop by Dan the Snakeman, Trout Unlimited and other colorful exhibits to see ducks and deer mounts.

This is your chance to support a local school as well as many local businesses. Vendors range from tackle shops, antique lures, clothing, game calls, cooking supplies and more. Whether you are a hunter, fisherman, paddler or photographer, there will be something to see, learn or purchase.

Meet and learn about many of the conservation organizations that work to preserve hunting and fishing opportunities in upstate New York, including Fish Creek Atlantic Salmon Club, NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame, Trout Unlimited and CNY Wildfowlers.

Once again the show will offer visitors the opportunity to meet with guides covering Lake Ontario and other popular inland waters such as Otisco Lake, as well as Adirondack adventures. Even if you don’t sign up for a charter on Saturday you should stop and visit and find out the details of fishing and what the expectations are. Later you can discuss this with family or friends and make reservations for an exciting and productive trip.

Stop at the Lake Ontario Outdoors & Adirondack Outdoors booth to say hello, pick up free copies and samples and have a chance to win door prizes. Visit with salmon and sttelhead guide Chris Mulpagano, a former local resident who is featured on the cover of the current issue of Lake Ontario Outdoors.

A full day of seminars will include Adirondack Brook Trout Fishing (9:45 a.m.), Retriever Training for Duck Hunting (10:15 a.m.) and Wildlife Live – Utica Zoo (10:45 a.m.). Others will be Coyotes & Coyote Trapping (11:30 a.m.), Deer Hunting –QDA (1:00 p.m.), Wildlife Photography (1:30 p.m.), and Benefit of Sporting Clubs (2:45 p.m.).

Deer hunters can talk to renowned Adirondack deer hunters Tony and Pat Salerno, who have been featured in North American Whitetail magazine. You will also have the opportunity to visit with authors of deer hunting books, learn about the NYS Big Buck Club, NY Bowhunters, Inc. and Whitetail Management Coalition.

The author’s table will allow you to meet and obtained signed copies of books by Bob Elinskas, Dick Borden, Jay O’Hern, Nancy Best, Spider Rybaak, Michael Kelly, Eric Dresser, and Todd Mead. These topics cover everything from fishing and hunting to wildlife photography and cooking.

Do you have questions about guns, ammo or shooting sports? You can ask the experts at Gunworks of CNY as well as arrange for later work or purchases. If turkey hunting is your sport, you should not miss the opportunity to learn from experts like Gary Campanie or Shawn Fox at their respective booths and purchase some of their quality products.

Be sure to visit the NYS Sturgeons for Tomorrow booth to find out about these potential monster fish that are making a comeback in Oneida Lake. Tom Lenweaver’s wildlife art is a must stop if you enjoy fine art and outdoor subjects. Sample some of Dennis Dedek’s great offerings on the grill and take home a supply of Iron Skillet seasonings.

Hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. As always the key to the success of the show is the variety of exhibits and vendors and the fact that all booths are outdoor-related. The show will culminate at 4 p.m. with the presentation of the CNY Sportsman of the Year Award. See you at the Show!

SHORT CASTS

Great American Outdoor Show – Harrisburg: The Chittenango Rod & Gun Club invites area sportsmen to join them on a bus trip to the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, PA on Saturday, February 8. They will leave Shoppingtown Mall, Dewitt at 5 a.m. in a luxury coach and return to the mall around 10 p.m.

Cost per person is $60 and includes admission to the show. Cal Bruce Berean at 315-439-0260 or email bbcaddy@aol.com to reserve your seat.

Gunworks of CNY: A lot of our guns have been sitting in the closet since the holidays or the end of deer season. You probably had big plans to do some coyote hunting, or small game hunting but the bitter cold weather convinced you to change your plans.

If you haven’t given your guns a thorough cleaning, now is the time to do it. Or better yet, have some professionals like Gunworks of CNY do it. Autoloading shotguns and rifles are more complex and many of us lack the skill to do a thorough job on them. The interior gas system gets fouled up, accumulates grease and oil and collects dirt, weed seeds and other debris from being afield.

Not only will Gary Donovan and his skilled crew do a professional job on cleaning and lubricating all parts of your guns, they will be alert for little problems or conditions that can become big problems if they are not taken care of. Stop at their shop on Route 31 near Verona or call 363-7041. You have a lot invested in your guns. Give them the care they deserve.

Great Backyard Bird Count: This year’s Great Backyard Bird Count sponsored by Cornell University Lab of Ornithology will be February 14 – 17. It is easy to participate; all you have to do is count the different species of birds in your backyard or other area on a given day and report it to the Cornell website. It can be a fun, family friendly way to discover and help the birds in your community. Visit the website www.birdcount.org to learn more about this event.

Save the Date - Adirondack Outdoors Show: Next weekend, February 15 and 16, is the Adirondack Outdoorsman Show in Johnstown. Location is the Moose Club on Route 30A (Comrie Ave) in Johnstown. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show is all outdoors related with an emphasis on the Adirondack experience. Booths and vendors including guns and accessories, trapping and taxidermy, fishing supplies, knives, Adirondack gifts and collectibles, artwork, gloves, marine and boating supplies, exotic game meats, antique hunting and fishing gear, charters, guides and resorts. There will also be authors with book signings, seminars, raffles and door prizes. Visit www.adkshow.com for details.

DEC Summer Camp Program: The NYS DEC is now accepting online applications for its 67th Annual Summer Camp Program. The 2014 camp season begins June 29.

Parents may register campers only through DEC’s convenient, online registration system and pay by credit card, e-check or with a sponsor code. Fees for the 2014 camp season remain $350 per one-week session per camper. Camp dates and a link to the online registration system are posted on DEC’s website: www.dec.ny.gov/education/29.html. Families without internet access should call the camp office at 518-402-8014 for information on how to register for camp alternatively.

Youth 11 through 17-years old enjoy week-long adventures in conservation education at DEC’s residential summer camps. They participate in a wide variety of outdoor activities such as fishing, bird watching, fly-tying, archery, canoeing, hiking, camping, orienteering and optional hunter safety education.

New DEC License System: The new DEC licensing system is up and running. After a temporary shutdown sportsmen are now able to report harvesting or purchase the new licenses at the new reduced fees. Access this system by calling 1-866-933-2257 or at https://aca.dec.accela.com/dec/.