Hearing the familiar thump of the first ruffed grouse of the season, or catching a glimpse of the first wild garlic leaf poking its head up from the forest floor, are tell tale signs that a new season is afoot. Another sure sign of spring is the annual Outdoor and Travel Adventure Show, coming this weekend to Ottawa’s EY Centre!
Celebrating its fifth year, the Outdoor and Travel Adventure Show blasts-off this Saturday and Sunday at EY Centre. Organized by the team from the region’s two best magazines – Ottawa Outdoors and Fish, Hunt & Ride, the show will feature tons of outdoor services, gear and apparel, exhibitors and outdoor travel accommodations and even lodges. Come check out the Adventure Stage where you’ll hear tips from camping and canoeing experts like Kevin Callan and Becky Mason. And if that isn’t enough to entice, be sure stop-by the Fish, Hunt & Ride magazine booth where yours truly and a handful of FHR columnists will be stationed. (Just look for the camouflage clothing.) My FHR Team and I will be handing out magazines and chatting with readers about all things fishing, hunting or riding-related. I look forward also to speaking with Blake Corbin of Renfrew’s Valley Heritage Radio (98.7 FM) who will be stopping-by the booth to do an interview. For more information on this weekend’s show: http://www.AdventureOttawa.ca
Ice-fishing draws to a close
The annual March 31th ice-hut removal date seems almost pointless this year since huts have surely all have been removed by now. Or at least I hope they have! Folks in Pembroke legally have until the end of the month to haul their huts away, but remember that anyone who has not removed their ice hut is in violation of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and could face charges. By all accounts, this winter fishing season will be remembered as one of the shortest on record.
FHR and Valley Vendor
First off, I’d like to give a shout-out to Clarence Shires, Leonard Kubisheski and all the other fine folks up in Round Lake! Clarence and a group of area ice-fishermen were having trouble tracking down copies of the new – Fish, Hunt & Ride Magazine, but not anymore! I am pleased to report that we have now teamed-up with the Valley Vendor for magazine distribution, which will scatter the coveted FHR mags like buckshot throughout the Ottawa Valley and Pontiac. There are even a dozen or so distribution sites in Pembroke itself including Perkins, Pembroke Esso and Suny’s Variety. Our upcoming spring issue will be more than twice the size of the fall/winter offering and should be available mid-April. If you’re into ATV’s, black bears, fly-fishing, wild turkey, trout or are interested in the frank Q&A interview I did with ‘Uncle’ Ted Nugent, be sure to check it out! For more information: http://www.fishhuntandride.ca
Great Outdoors Trivia – Final Question
Okay outdoor trivia buffs, here is the final question in this year’s Great Outdoors Trivia Contest. The first person to correctly answer all three questions will receive a prize package courtesy of Brecks fishing tackle and Tinks hunting scents. Question #3: In 1984, the Province of Ontario received 274 wild turkeys in exchange for river otters, moose, geese and partridge. Where did these turkeys come from? Was it A) Europe B) United States C) Quebec D) Manitoba or E) Asia ? Please send all three trivia answers to: [email protected]
Column Anniversary
This month marks the third glorious year for this outdoors column and I would like to thank managing editor Anthony Dixon and assistant news editor Tina Peplinskie for being perhaps the best editorial staff I’ve ever worked for. Sharing my love and appreciation for the great outdoors with readers each month is something I take seriously. Thanks also to the hunters and fishermen of the Ottawa Valley for your support over the years and hey, maybe I’ll see you around Cobden or Pembroke this summer!