Next Tuesday opens the annual Chenango County Fair, and while you are having a great time on the rides, checking out the tractor pulls, and stuffing your face with cotton candy and fried dough, don't forget to mosey all the way down the first aisle to the conservation area and visit the displays put on by the Federated Sportsman's Clubs of Chenango County & Friends.
You will find a listing of the displays and times in the special section of the Evening Sun and Pennysaver that is dedicated to the fair. But I thought I would give you a little background of what is scheduled to be on display.
Hickling’s Fish Farm, Edmeston will be displaying live fish all week in the 150-gallon tank in building number two. There will be largemouth and smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, brown bullheads, yellow perch, rainbow, brook and brown trout, flathead minnow,s and walleye on display. These fish represent the most popular species in our area. If you have never caught one, now is the time to see what they look like up close. (www.hicklingsfishfarm.com)
Friends of Rogers Environmental Center, Sherburne, will have a display and handouts all week in building two. Come and learn what has been going on since the center has reopened. Pick up a schedule of future events that will be held at the center and educate yourself on a variety of nature themes, from wildflowers to bats, from owls to canada geese. The display will not be manned all week, but information is there for the taking. (www.friendsofrogers.org0
The Bullthistle Hiking Club, Norwich, will also have a display on hand all week for those interested in hiking. The club probably has the largest age-span of the 120 members, from infant to ripe old 94. Hikes during the week are generally along the Finger Lakes Trail system and Sunday hikes, led by historian Don Windsor, take off on jaunts throughout the Chenango countryside. Come see the display, learn about the hikes, talk to one of the members, and join the fun on the trails. I have personally hiked with Don and many others in the club and can attest to it being quite interesting, enjoyable and educational. (www.bullthistlehiking.org)
On Tuesday, Al Marsters from Sherburne, a renowned turkey hunter, will be on hand to display a variety of turkey hunting gear. From box calls to diaphragm call, decoys to mounted turkeys. Al has been hunting turkeys since way back when, and is one of the most experienced turkey hunters in the county. So come down and jaw with a real master and learn tips and techniques that will help you bring home your next gobbler. (www.nwtf.org)
Also on Tuesday, the Adirondack-Catskill Chapter of Safari Club International, (ACSCI), Otego, will be offer a display of a few unusual mounts from around the globe, as well as provide information on the club and all the good things they do for conservation, education, and humanitarian issues. Robin Jerauld will answer questions regarding the SABLES group that is the educational arm of SCI, and have handouts for kids. I will be on hand to discuss legal issues of hunting and gun rights with the adults. SCI had over 55,000 members in 120 chapters throughout the world protecting hunting rights for everyone. (www.adirondackcatskillsci.com)
Wednesday and Thursday from 1 to 6 pm, a perennial treat is Lorrie Schumacher and Talons Birds of Prey. Lorrie has created a uniquely innovative and inspiring bird of prey experience. Talons has been featured at Land Trust and Conservation Center Events, schools, USFWS, Boy Scouts of America, weddings, church services, animal therapy, sportsmen's shows, and corporate events. Lorrie's mission is to stress the importance of the role of Raptors in the global environment and man's responsibility to the balance of the planet. One look into the ancient eyes of a raptor, and a human truly knows humility. Catch a raptor on your fist and you'll feel your heart jump like never before. It's an experience of a lifetime! (www.talonsbirdsofprey.com)
And in keeping with the birds theme, on Wednesday and Friday the Chenango Bird Club will be have its informational display at the conservation area. The Chenango Bird Club welcomes you to enjoy the natural wonders of Chenango County and surrounding areas. The American Goldfinch is one of the brighter colored, more visible birds in our county. Perhaps that is why it was chosen for the logo of the Chenango Bird Club when the club was organized more than 25 years ago The Goldfinch is also the name of the club’s newsletter published four times a year. Visit with members of the club and find out what an enjoyable time you can have out in nature watching the birds. Information on birds, membership, and club events will be provided. (www.surfbirds.com/community-blogs/ChenangoBirdClub/)
Thursday starts a long three days at the fair for taxidermists Warren and Ruth Smith of Chenango Taxidermy, Preston.Warren and Ruth will be demonstrating some taxidermy work. In the past Ruth has mounted ducks and pheasants in the booth. Both Warren and Ruth will answer questions related to taxidermy and have many mounts on display, showcasing their quality craftsmanship. On Saturday Warren will avail himself to score North American trophies. Based on the Boone and Crockett system of measurements, come have your trophy deer antlers, bear skull or other critter scored to see how it measures up against others. The scoring is free of charge. (Phone: (607) 334-5881)
The New York Crossbow Coalition (NYCC), Pulaski, will also be represented on Thursday. I will be manning a booth talking about the crossbow in New York, discussing the long, storied history of the crossbow from primitive times to present. I will have bows on display and be available to present unbiased opinions on the new gear out there, as well as current seasons and future legislation. I will also have sign-up sheets for those interested in membership. So come on out and support our mission for crossbow use in all archery seasons, for all game. (www.nycrossbowcoalition.com)
Friday, Sy Lloyd will bring his incredible display of animal skeletons with his Have Bones Will Travel display. I have known Sy for about 10 years, first meeting him at a Safari Club banquet, and I can attest that his display is awesome. Sy uses dermestid beetles to clean away fat, tissue and membrane from skeletons of all sorts of animals, from small snakes to full- sized deer. Licensed by NYS and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Sy is permitted to display a fantastic array of skeletons that are normally not allowed to be possessed by the average citizen. Every time I see Sy's display I am awed, so don't miss this one.
Saturday ACSCI will be back and environmental conservation officer Brett Armstrong will be here with his faithful companion, Nitro. Brett will discuss his life with Nitro, a german shepherd trained for conservation law enforcement duty. I have seen Brett and Nitro at several demonstrations and you cannot believe what this dog, under the control of his trainer, can do. The highly trained teams of handlers and service dogs are used in tracking, locating poachers and baiters, searches, evidence location, and many other activities. Come and learn all about the DEC K-9 Units. (www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/2427.html)
Also on Saturday, Chenango Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited will have a hands-on fly tying workshop. Master fly tyers Sam Scafidi and Gary Sweet will teach little kids, medium-sized kids and big kids (adults) how to tie flies that actually catch fish. And Safari Club will return to discuss hunting and gun issues, showcase some unique mounts and talk about all the good they do for conservation and education.
Sunday is raffle day.
All throughout the week of the fair, children will be allowed to enter a free raffle at the Federation of Sportsman's Clubs booth. The raffle consists of many outdoor-related prizes generously donated by people, businesses, and other organizations in our community. A list of all the donors is posted in the federation booth. The federation is also selling raffle tickets for monetary prizes. The money raised by this raffle is used to provide scholarships to send kids to the annual DEC summer camps (www.dec.ny.gov/education/29.html), to send members to various legislative conferences so the voices of our sportspeople can be heard and to continue to provide good, quality, educational programs at the county fair, amongst many other things.
If you are interested in joining a gun club or fishing group the following organizations will also be in attendance, so come down and meet some of the members, find out what is involved in joining the clubs, and talk shop with them…

Tuesday– Earlville Conservation Club; Wednesday– Rockdale Rod and Gun Club; Thursday–Iroquois Sportsman's Club Friday–Bainbridge Sportsman's Club; Saturday–Chenango Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
So stop by, enjoy some interesting events this week and spend a buck on a raffle ticket to support the men and women of the Federated Sportsman's Clubs of Chenango County as they work tirelessly to keep the outdoor sports alive.

For more information or to comment on this article, contact Franke at george_franke@yahoo.com.