Sportsmen's paradise returning in October

Pictured above, a virtual shotgunning experience was a hit at last year's Outdoor Recreation Exposition.

The second annual Southern Tier Outdoor Recreation Exposition is gearing up for business on October 4-5, 2008 in Bath, NY. Numerous attractions will be available at the show including:

• Talons A Bird of Prey Experience - Lorrie and Talon Skye Schumacher will present hawks, falcons and owls in an exciting flying show that is great fun for the entire family. Meet the largest owl in the world and a rare black African angur buzzard who appeared in a History Channel movie. Get to know Raptors up close with an opportunity for kids to hold their favorite raptor for a photo.

• Bwana Jim's Wildlife Show will provide actual hands-on alligator displays. Bwana Jim has mastered the ability to mingle education with his unique humor while focusing on the importance of knowing and understanding wildlife.

• Tanglewood Nature Center will present several Animal Adventures shows including hissing cockroaches, turtles, lizards and hedgehogs.

• North Country Whitetails land consultant Neil Doughtery will offer morning seminars and afternoon tours to his nearby Demo Center, the most written about habitat and food plot site in the country. The Demo Center has been featured on television, in videos and in dozens of outdoor magazines.

• Jim Beverly, a professional retriever trainer, will offer seminars on waterfowl hunting and training for the companion hunting retriever. He will answer questions regarding dog training issues and conservation.

• Blue Ocean Divers of Vestal, NY will offer scuba diving demonstrations in a full size pool. Scuba equipment will be available for the public to try out for themselves.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County and local media partners are offering this regional educational outdoor show at Wilkins RV on Route 415 in Bath. It will bring together exhibitors related to natural resources, conservation, outdoor leisure, sport and recreation, and will offer several educational seminars. The event is geared to developing an appreciation for the many ways that people can enjoy and protect our natural resources and bringing them closer to their environment while also enjoying family time and boosting our local economy. Sponsors of the show include Heartland Recreational Vehicles, Forest River Recreational Vehicles, and Key Bank.

The Wilkins location offers five acres of indoor and outdoor exhibit space including camping and easy access off Interstate 86. Admission is free; $5.00 will be charged for parking. Food and door prizes will be offered throughout the weekend. Youth can try their hand fishing in the pond, shooting on the archery range, or hunting on the shooting simulator. Check out the complete list of activities and vendors at www.SouthernTierOutdoor- Show.com.

Numerous educational seminars and demonstrations will be held every hour throughout the weekend on topics from bear management, trapping, mowing techniques, cooking venison, deer handling, dog agility, and hunting small properties. Exhibitors and food vendors will offer a variety of products and services for the outdoor enthusiast.

WETM-TV, Pembrook Pines Media Group, and the Gate- House Media Newspaper Group including the Leader, The Bath Courier, and the Hornell Evening Tribune have partnered in this project to help provide wide media coverage to draw visitors to the Southern Tier.

The show is still accepting applications from exhibitors who want to reach a family-oriented audience with information on how to enjoy the outdoors and our local natural resources with their products and services. For more information on the show, visitwww.SouthernTierOutdoor- Show.com or call 607-664-2300.