2006 Michigan Deer & Turkey Spectacular and Shooting Sports Show

Terry Koper 262-242-3990

Release: Immediately / At Will Date: Jan. 26, 2006

New hands-on optics area, wildlife identification contest and wild game cooking demonstrations highlight 2006 Michigan Deer & Turkey Spectacular

New wild game cooking demonstrations highlight a full weekend of activities at the 2006 Michigan Deer & Turkey Spectacular, February 10-12 at the Lansing Center in Lansing . An additional highlight will be an all-new line-up of seminar speakers and how-to topics, with heavy emphasis on habitat management of private property, food plots, and deer herd management by selective harvesting.

The new cooking seminars will complete the circle of instruction on enjoying all aspects of hunting. The expos already offer seminars on hunting and meat processing. Now attendees can learn how to turn a venison roast into a meal as tasty as any served in the fanciest restaurants in this country or in Europe , where wild game is commonly on the menu.

"Our seminars and demonstrations run the gamut -- how to grow and support deer and turkeys, how to find them, how to take them humanely, how to handle the carcass properly, how to process it, store it and cook it for best results," Helgeland said. "We want to help everyone gain total utilization of these great renewable natural resources, including the visual enjoyment of observing and photographing them. As outdoor people and hunters, we never get our fill of enjoying the world of the whitetail deer and wild turkey.

To be sure that young people get continued exposure to shooting sports, the 2006 events will have information on the National Archery in Schools Program and have a shooting area. This is a joint venture among NASP, state wildlife management and education departments, archery equipment manufacturers and organizations. The goal is to provide Olympic-style target archery training in physical education classes from kindergarten through high school with spillover into hunting at appropriate ages as the individual interest and participation continues.

The New Products Special Display Area will continue. Introduced in 2005, it was a helpful feature. New products are displayed in a special area where attendees can enjoy a hands-on view of the latest in hunting equipment and accessories. After viewing the products, attendees can get additional information from the exhibiting manufacturers.

The event highlights exhibits of hunting products and accessories (black powder, centerfire firearms, archery), guides and outfitters from throughout North America , wild game cooking items, book/magazine/video producers, and more. These are the places to see new products and to get your questions answered by product specialists. Many exhibitors will have products for sale.

The trophy whitetail deer/elk/bear/turkey contests feature new entries every year, keeping the displays eye-popping, fresh and interesting. The Spectacular also has several hands-on shooting opportunities (kids free archery instruction, airgun and laser ranges); live wild animal display, including live wild turkeys; outdoor photo contest; Outdoor Village of special displays and family activities.

Byron Ferguson, an internationally known trick archery shot and accomplished bowhunter, will perform Saturday and Sunday.

Show hours are 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10; 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12. Tickets are $9 one-day adult; $16 two-day adult; $7 for Hunter Education graduates ages 12-18 who completed a course before January 2005 and who show proof of course completion at the ticket window (otherwise, pay adult price); $3 youth ages 6-11, children five and under admitted free when accompanied by adult.

Admission is free for qualified first-year hunters. Any first-year hunter, regardless of age, who received a hunter education certificate between January 1, 2005 and February 9, 2006, will receive free admission to the 2006 Michigan Deer & Turkey Spectacular when showing proof of course completion at the designated ticket window. On Friday Family Night, all youth ages 11 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

For details on the 2006 Michigan Deer & Turkey Spectacular, call 1-800-324-3337 or visit the show's website at (www.deerinfo.com).

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Michigan Deer & Turkey Spectacular General Information