Informative seminars highlight OUTDOORAMA 2013

Outdoorama 2013 is February 21-24 in Novi at the Suburban Collection Showplace

Top outdoor professionals will be on hand February 21 to 24 at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi for Outdoorama’s 40th anniversary

NOVI, MI — The latest tactics and techniques for hunting turkeys and white-tailed deer and catching trout, salmon, bass and walleyes are some of the topics covered by a lineup of top professionals when the 40th annual OUTDOORAMA rolls into the Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi, February 21 to 24. Mushroom hunting, planting food plots for wildlife, wilderness canoeing and primitive wilderness skills are also on the seminar schedule for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.

“There truly is something for everyone in our seminar lineup at this year’s OUTDOORAMA,” said Show Producer Henri Boucher. “Hunters can pick up tips and even learn how to process a deer. We’re bringing in an expert on morel mushrooms, a guide from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and we have a boatload of fishing seminars. We’re covering all the bases.”

Educational topics abound. For example, opening night seminars feature the always popular taping of “Big Buck Night” by Michigan Out-of-Doors TV. Jimmy Gretzinger and Jenny Olson will be on hand to interview the Michigan hunters who bagged some of the largest white-tailed deer of the season.

On Saturday, Steve Francis, owner of Country Smoke House in Almont, will demonstrate how to field dress, butcher and pack your next whitetail. An expert in his field, Francis starts with a fresh deer and walks through every step of the process.

Michigan native Jim Miller, a national authority on traditional wilderness skills, returns to OUTDOORAMA for all four days. Miller has spent countless hours studying the skills of our ancestors and fascinates crowds with his demonstrations on making birch bark canoes, tanning animal hides to make clothes, and building a fire by rubbing sticks together. He will also show patrons how to make waterproof reed baskets, carve canoe paddles from black ash, craft a longbow, and make snowshoes.

The growth in popularity of mushroom hunting prompted Boucher to bring Theresa Maybrier and Team Morel LLC to promote everything about delicious morel mushrooms. Learn how to identify morels, where to find them, how to prepare them for the table and much more in Theresa’s seminars, which will be offered throughout the show.

Ramsey Dowgiallo has been canoeing and camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for almost 25 years. Dowgiallo is a Master Angler fisherman in three states and is certified in wilderness first aid. He’ll share his experiences and expertise in a series of seminars running throughout the show.

There is also a full slate of seminars for hardcore anglers and hunters.

FISHING
Mark Romanack, host of Fishing 411 television show and an expert walleye angler, will share tips on trolling for walleyes in the open water of the Great Lakes.

Mark Martin, a nationally acclaimed walleye pro and champion of the first PWT tournament, will share his knowledge on catching walleye using modern-day, open-water techniques.

Captain Lance Valentine, founder of Lance Valentine’s Walleye 101 and the Fishing Education Center, will show anglers how to master their fishing electronics, catch walleyes on the Detroit River, and pull them out of the weeds.

Bass fishing professional, author and video producer Captain Wayne Carpenter will provide show attendees with insight and tips on bass fishing in Lake St. Clair.

Mike Schultz, owner of Schultz Outfitters, a fly fishing guide service specializing in southeastern Michigan warm-water angling, will provide insight into the abundance of local fly-fishing opportunities and techniques.

Jim Bedford is one of Michigan’s foremost authorities on fishing Michigan rivers with spinners and other lures. The well-known book author and outdoor writer will discuss how to cover the most water and consistently out produce other methods by targeting aggressive fish.

Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame Legendary Guide Bob Brunner will show attendees how to make buck-tail spinners from scratch, teach them successful casting techniques for muskies and pike and will relate some of his vast experiences from 80 years of fishing for muskies.

Captain Mike Pittiglio is a full time muskie guide on world-renowned Lake St. Clair. Pittiglio will hold nothing back during his seminars which cover the hottest lures, locations and set-ups for catching these toothy predators.

Outdoor writer, photographer and fishing guide David A. Rose will provide an in-depth look at the life cycle of the yellow perch. His seminar, “Perch Under Pressure,” gives patrons the details on where to locate perch as well as the tips and tricks to produce bigger catches.

HUNTING
Mark Romanack is also a savvy bird hunter, outdoor writer and seminar leader. Romanack will put Mason, his four-year-old black Lab, through his paces right on the water at OUTDOORAMA. They’ll demonstrate marked retrieves, blind retrieves, whistle commands and hand signals and Romanack will lead a brief discussion on understanding dog behavior.

Seth McCullough is an avid turkey hunter, contest caller and the owner and founder of Bully’s Wild Turkey Calls. McCullough will offer tips for better hunting and discuss the life cycle of the wild turkey in his informative seminars.

Tim Fox from Kent City, Michigan, breeds and trains beautiful Llewellin setters and will offer seminars on training with the Silent Command System. Tim’s methods are a modification of the Rick and Ronnie Smith training technique that is growing in popularity among pointing-dog owners.

Greg Abbas, of A-Way Hunting Products, is a life-long turkey hunter, seminar speaker and outdoor writer. Abbas’ seminar, “Exploiting a Gobblers Weaknesses and Habits” is sure to be a success.

Outdoor writer, speaker and Bear Archery prostaffer Jason Herbert has carved out his niche as a “regular guy” who lives and hunts in the real world. Herbert’s advice and tactics in his seminars, “Hunting on a Dime,” are practical and apply to almost everyone. He’ll cover a diverse range of topics from long-distance scouting, gaining access to property, leasing, and making several DIY products hunters regularly purchase for a fraction of the cost.

Ed Spinazzola is a food plot expert and author of “Ultimate Deer Food Plots.” He’ll be on hand daily to discuss all aspects of this fascinating subject. This year’s special presentation, “Cutting Edge Food Plots,” will help hunters maximize their time, effort and cost by placing crops to impact deer movement.

“Doc” Paul Morrow has been featured on Michigan Out-Of-Doors TV and has been experimenting with food plots and habitat for years. In his presentations “Wildlife Habitat for the Beginner” and “Advanced Habitat Techniques,” Doc will teach the tricks of the trade as it pertains to making food plots the most popular place for wildlife.

The first 500 attendees on Thursday and Friday receive a free, collectible Dardevle spoon from Eppinger Manufacturing Co. in Dearborn.

The first 500 attendees on Saturday and Sunday will receive a free Quick Fillet Tool from Quick Fillet Productions in Plymouth.

The show that celebrates Michigan’s great outdoors is February 21 to 24. Show hours are 2 to 9:30 Thursday and Friday; 10 to 9 Saturday; and 10 to 5 Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $4 for children ages 6 to 14 and children under 5 will be admitted free.

For more information, go to http://www.Outdoorama.com or call (800) 328-6550.

Discount tickets are available at Wendy’s or online at Outdoorama.com

You can also follow late-breaking news and developments at: www.facebook.com/ULTIMATESPORTSHOWTOUR and at www.twitter.com/Outdoorama