The Eastern Fishing & Outdoors Exposition is also a bull’s eye with hunters, as numerous sporting gun manufacturers have top products on display. And, archery enthusiasts can find the ideal bow right nearby. The show gives you an opportunity to set your sights on great deals for all your outdoor needs, as retailers will be selling at special show prices. Now, is also the time to put together that perfect sporting adventure for you and your family. You can visit outfitters, guides and lodges from throughout North America and plan that ultimate trip.

In true Expo tradition, sportsmen at the top of their game will be on hand to host a vast series of seminars. Appearing for the first time is Terry Scroggins. Terry is a leading money winner on the bass tournament circuit and placed fourth, out of 108 anglers, in the 2007 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. He is also a four-time qualifier for the Bassmaster Classic. Terry Scroggins appears on Friday and Saturday (February 8 and 9), courtesy of Toyota.

Other first-time speakers at the show include Ish Monroe, a popular name on the bass tournament tour. He will present daily seminars at the bass tank. Monroe is sponsored by Daiwa. Presented by the Kittery Trading Post is RealTree TV star Tim Andrus, who will offer deer hunting seminars on Friday and Saturday. Joining Andrus is Steve Hickoff, a regular contributor to Outdoor Life Magazine, who will "talk turkey", offering expert advice on hunting this game bird. Returning long-time favorites are Mike Laptew, showcasing the first-ever high definition underwater video of game fish; Peter Fiduccia, the "Deer Doctor"; saltwater experts Blaine Anderson, Frank Daignault, Dave Pickering and Bob Sampson; bass fishing masters, the Lucarelli family and master angler of Lake Winnipesaukee, Dr. Hal Lyon. Saturday, February 9th is Whitetail Superday, sponsored by Odor SCIENCE, and will contain jam-packed tips and talks by hunting experts.

Show-goers’ jaws will drop at the sight of the "Border Brute", an amazing set of antlers which scores 217 typical-greater than the current world record. The G-3 tines are 17 1/8 and 16 5/8 inches and believed to be the longest set of tines in existence. The antlers were shed and found in 2004 along the Kansas/Missouri border. The Border Brute should be motivation for hunters to enter the Trophy Buck Contest. Presented by the Northeast Big Buck Club, this contest will offer awards for several categories of antlers. Entries will be on display throughout the week of the show. For rules and regulations, visit www.sportsshows.com, starting in early December.

Every day brings new and exciting activities to the Expo. Returning this year (as an international movie star) is the crowd favorite, Brody the Bear, who is the star of the soon-to-be-released movie, "Grizzly Park". This is a thriller that supposedly will keep movie-goers on the edge of their seats. Brody now weighs 1,500 pounds and will appear with long-time handler Jeff Watson, who has had Brody since he was an eight-week-old cub.

New to the show this year is Jonathan Custead and his amazing live reptile show. Audiences will hold their breaths as Custead goes face-to-face with some of the world’s deadliest snakes and introduces Lassie, a seven foot alligator. Also making its debut at the show is the Cave. This is an exhibit simulating the underground world where kids can hunt for fossils. This unique and educational experience is presented by Cold River Mining, who will also bring their popular gemstone panning sluice. Families will also enjoy exploring the trout pond, catching nature shows with live birds of prey and participating in Duck Box Building Day. Sponsored by Ducks Unlimited, and held on Sunday, February 10, this program allows children to build either a wood duck box or a bluebird box.

There will be daily drawings for fabulous prizes. One of the big prizes is a fantastic fishing trip to Crocodile Bay Lodge in Costa Rica. I’m sure you’ll be fascinated by all that the Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition has to offer. Plan to bring your family along for a great time. Again, the show is at the Worcester, Massachusetts DCU Center and runs from Thursday, February 7 through Sunday, February 10. Show hours are: Thursday and Friday, 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.   Admission is $11 for adults and $3 for children under 12 years and children under 5 are admitted free. The DCU Center, in Worcester, is easily accessible off I-290. Take Exit 16 and follow the signs. Incidentally, all of the proceeds of the show go to safeguarding and promoting the enduring social, economic and conservation values of America’s outdoor heritage.