I’ve been attending the Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show in Orono since I was a little girl, and each year, there are certain things I look forward to. The homemade fudge and jerky, the elaborate taxidermy displays, the camo-clad crowd. New exhibitors and presenters show up each year, but for me, the overall flavor of the big event remains the same. It’s a celebration of Maine’s great outdoors, the state’s sporting heritage and natural beauty.
For the past few years, as an outdoor writer for the Bangor Daily News, I’ve been able to attend the show as an exhibitor — which basically means that I stay there a whole lot longer and get see a bit of what happens behind the scenes. While I spend much of my time manning the BDN booth, talking with readers and handing out our free quarterly BDN Outdoors publication, I also take a few hours to wander around the show and purchase a few Maine-made crafts and of course, delicious treats.
-
-
A bird dog checks out my camera by the BDN booth on March 7, 2014, at the Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show in Orono.
-
-
The pelts of Maine mammals hang on display on March 7, 2014, at the Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show in Orono.
-
-
The University of Maine test spectators knowledge March 7, 2014, at the Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show in Orono.
-
-
A taxidermy mountain goat is on display at the Eastern Maine Sportsman’s Show in Orono on March 8.
-
-
Many of the displays at the 76th Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show are of the educational variety and give people an opportunity to see nature up close.
-
-
12-year old twins Curtis and Andrew Weymouth of South China test out demo kayaks provided by Old Town Canoe in the UMaine Field House pool during the 76th Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show in Orono on March 8.
-
-
A retriever fetches a toy in the UMaine Field House pool during the 76th Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show in Orono on March 8.
-
-
BDN senior editor Aimee Thibodeau and her daughter Chloe try out a kayak provided by Old Town Canoe in the UMaine Field House pool during the 76th Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show in Orono on March 8.
-
-
Birdsacre caretaker Grayson Richmond provides a perch for a one-eyes saw whet owl during is presentation at the 76th Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show in Orono on March 8.
-
-
Birdsacre caretaker Grayson Richmond provides a perch for a one-eyes saw whet owl during is presentation at the 76th Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show in Orono on March 8.
-
-
A barred owl from Birdsacre wildlife sanctuary in Ellsworth faces the crowd during the live owl presentation at the 76th Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show in Orono on March 8.
-
-
A great horned owl from Birdsacre wildlife sanctuary in Ellsworth hoots softly during a live owl presentation at the 76th Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show in Orono on March 8.
-
-
Master Maine Guide and author Randy Spencer signs his two books, “Where Cool Waters Flow” and “Wide and Deep: Tales and Recollections from a Master Maine Fishing Guide” at the BDN booth at the 76th Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show on March 8 in Orono.
-
-
I learn how to make a paracord bracelet from Boy Scouts of America Troop 76 (Old Town) during the 76th Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show on March 8 in Orono.
-
-
Danielle LeDuc, 13, of Bar Harbor tests her aim at the 76th Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show on March 8 in Orono.
-
-
I paddle an awesome Necky Looksha kayak provided by Old Town Canoe at the 76th Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show on March 8 in Orono.
-
-
The UMaine Field House pool is filled with people trying different kayaks and canoes provided by Old Town Canoe at the 76th Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show on March 8, 2014, in Orono.
This year, in addition to having great conversations with BDN readers … I attended an owl presentation by Grayson Richmond, caretaker of Birdsacre wildlife sanctuary in Ellsworth; bought some maple and chocolate fudge; talked about grouse with graduate students of the University of Maine Department of Wildlife Ecology; learned how to make a paracord bracelet with Boy Scouts Troop 76 (Old Town); chatted with members of the Penobscot Fly Fishers; paddled a pink Necky Looksha kayak provided by Old Town Canoe in the field house pool; purchased a fleece-lined alpaca hair hat from Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm; entered a drawing for a beautiful print of one of Mark McCullough’s wildlife paintings; ate some delicious peanut butter ice cream from Stone Fox Farm Creamery of Monroe; shuddered at creepy tick specimens on display at the UMaine Cooperative Extension booth; and talked about arrows with employees of Old Town Archery.
See you there next year!