INDIANA WATERFOWL CALLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Attention Waterfowl Calling Enthusiasts!!

Indianapolis - Waterfowl is a new element to the popular Indiana Deer and Turkey Expo, which is held during the Indianapolis Boat Sport & Travel Show’s opening three days at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. This year, the 11th annual Indiana Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl Expo will be held on February 15, 16 and 17, 2008.

This year’s expo will feature the Indiana Waterfowl Calling Championships, “which are certain to be the main attraction” stated Eric Estes, State Calling Championship Organizer.

Estes states that “included in this year’s Indiana Waterfowl Calling Championships is the Indiana State sanctioned duck-calling event open to Indiana residents at least 17 years of age”. The winner will qualify to compete in the 2008 World Duck Calling Contest in Stuttgart, Arkansas.

Estes stated that due to the popularity of this event “it’s strongly recommended that participants pre-register for ALL calling events that they wish to participate”. However according to the rules of competition, registration will remain open until 20 minutes prior to each event. A registration table will be located in the hallway leading to the Calling Arena, which is located just off the Waterfowl Expo area. Signage will mark these areas predominately to help guide you to the calling and registration area. A map will also be provided in the Show Guide & Program available at each entrance.

Pre-registration forms are available online. Pre-registration forms may also be found in any current issue of Indiana Outdoor News or by calling (574) 273-5160. Click here for more info, including a schedule of events & prizes, rules, and registration information.

MYSTIK LONGBOWS

Bernard Swank has been making primitive osage selfbows for over 25 years using the "old fashioned" tools and benches. He has had students come from across the country and all over the world to learn to make the osage bows in this manner. He has also taught several classes at some local colleges. In addition, the last three years Bernard has been invited, along with a great group of archers, to the Cheyenne Lakota Reservations in South Dakota. With this group he has been teaching the young and old alike about making bows. This has been a humanitarian effort to help these people learn more about the heritage and skills that many of them have lost.

Longbow making is a skill that most people can learn readily without any previous experience. Bernard demonstrates how to choose the right tree from which to get a stave, and how to care for the stave until it is seasoned enough to make a bow. Then he shows how to choose the correct draw knives, scrapers, rasps and files to do the job at hand. He shows the students how to read the grain of the wood so the design of the bow can be laid out properly. This is where he starts the removal of the wood and the shaping of the bow itself. This is a process all done with hand tools of yester years.

People can watch the progress of the bowyer and see the weapon slowly take shape. The bow making takes approximately 24 hours of labor to get to the finished product. Bernard will be there to answer any questions people might have about the bows and/or primitive archery.

Bernard will have on display several styles of hunting bows and many other primitive style arrows, quivers, knives and more. If time allows he will also demonstrate how to make a very neat kids bow.

Over the years Bernard has hunted and shot deer, bear, moose, elk, coyote, small game and fish, all with the equipment that he has made by hand. This is a satisfaction no man can get from buying his equipment. Some will never understand the primitive hunter born in all of mankind.

GUN DOG DEMONSTRATIONS

Learn the basics on working your hunting dog. Watch as expert dog trainers from the Indiana Retriever Club and the Indiana German Shorthair Club work their dogs.

DEER SCORING

Rack'em up at the deer scoring booth. Bring in your rack to be officially scored by the I.D.H.A., official score keepers for the Hoosier Record Buck program. Officials from the Boone & Crocket and Pope & Young Scorers will also be on hand to score your trophy buck. Scoring fee is $10.

3D BOWHUNTER CHALLENGE

Practice makes perfect, and the Bowhunter Challenge is the perfect way to practice. Take your best shot at pop-up and moving 3-D targets of deer and other game animals. The shooter stands in an elevated tree stand and a new target pops up at random every 15 seconds. The system is an educational, competitive and "real woods" bowhunting practice system that simulates a real bowhunting experience.

INDOOR ARCHERY RANGE

The indoor archery range offer an excellent opportunity to test that new bow. You can also have your children instructed on bow safety and proper shooting techniques by the professional staff of the Indiana Bow Hunters Association.

LEGENDS OF INDIANA

Don't pass the buck! This won't be a problem, seeing as how these are the largest deer recorded in the Hoosier state.

Whether you're an avid hunter or just respect the sport, chances are you've never seen anything like this before.

YAMAHA ATV CHALLENGE

The ATV Challenge is an indoor course designed to give consumers an opportunity to test drive an ATV. It is a multi challenge course, with a variety of obstacles, designed to give consumers the ultimate test ride experience in a controlled, safe environment. It creates hands on experience to feel the thrill of riding an ATV.

The course, which is professionally designed and maintained by Yamaha ’s ATV Challenge Tour, is an exciting attraction which will stimulate interest and create sales opportunities for you’re off road products. It gives consumers an up close experience with your ATV’s and gives you the opportunity to generate excitement about off road riding and promote your line of ATV’s and accessories. ATVs provided by Yamaha and Polaris.

LIVE ANIMAL EXHIBIT

Hardcore Hoosier Hunters aren't the only "Wild Animals" to be found at the Indiana Deer, Turkey & Waterfowl Exposition. Stop by and check out the Live Animal Exhibit from Richard English. Stare wild cats eye to eye and get straight to the point with an African Porcupine. You will definitely set your goals high when you see the Live Turkey Grand Slam on display. This set up is so exciting it will have you and the Live Wolf howling at the moon!