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Locked antlers are tragic reminders of the harshness
of Mother Nature and her operating rules, because
the usual result is the death of two magnificent
animals. Antlers must be large to lock together
when two bucks collide, and that almost always takes
some of the best bucks from the breeding base.
If you have a set of locked
antlers from Illinois or surrounding states, or
know of locked sets from Illinois or surrounding
states, call us (1-800-324-3337) or e-mail (mac@deerinfo.com)
to arrange to display them. We will give you all
details when you contact us.
Trail cameras see some strange things ... and some
big antlers ... when no humans are around. See the
Contest
Page for details.
Continuation and expansion of the program/seminars
begun in 2007. Gordon Whittington (food plots -
basic and advanced) and Tony LaPratt (deer habitat
creation and improvement) return, each with longer
seminars.
Check the seminar schedule
to see seminar topic, seminar description and times.-
At the introductory demo areas in 2007, you told
us you would like to see what the individual forage
crop and other nutrition source plants look like.
So that's what you will see in 2008 -- nursery flats
of various grain crops, grasses and other deer (and
turkey and non-game species) feed sources, one species
per flat.
This 52-page, info-packet guide book will again
be for sale at the Food Plot Demo Area. There's
more good info per page in this little booklet than
you'll find in any other book. If you want a copy
immediately for use this year, go to the Books page
of this web-site.
Climb the big stairway to a bigger platform for
a bird's-eye view of the exhibit floor, then get
some good info on treestand safety.
More details will be announced
as they develop. Stay tuned.
New products from exhibiting manufacturers and company
sales representatives are displayed together in
one area near the entrance for your viewing and
inspection ease.
All products are identified
by exhibitor name and booth number for easy follow-up
to get detailed info you want. Many people don't
want a sales person hanging on their elbow when
they first look at a new product. This is the perfect
opportunity to examine new products on your own.
To find this special display,
after you have purchased your general admission
ticket, go through the right-hand bank of glass
doors in the lobby of the Interstate Center. You'll
see the yellow banners with the black NEW PRODUCTS
lettering.
* All seminars are FREE
once you have purchased your admission ticket.
* Seminar schedule will
be posted as soon as it is completed.
* Most speakers and topics
change every year. The food plot topic (see above)
is one of the few that have become continuous, but
even here we vary the specific subject matter within
the broad food plot field.
* Bill Hesselgrave and his
venison butchering demonstrations also return annually.
People like to review Bill's demonstrations to be
sure they heard right and remembered right when
it came time to do their own venison butchering.
- The place to see NEW PRODUCTS
and talk face-to-face with factory reps. Get your
equipment and accessories questions answered here.
(An alphabetical list of exhibitors will be
published 45 days before the Classic and updated
weekly.)
- Centerfire firearms, black powder and archery
gear.
- Accessories - scopes, binoculars, game and bird
calls, tree stands, GPS, scents and lures, hunting
blinds, deer feeds, knives, camouflage and other
hunting clothing, footwear...and a lot more.
- Guides and outfitters from throughout the United
States and Canada (and sometimes Africa) for all
types of big game.
- Wildlife art, book and magazine publishers, video
producers.
- Wild game cooking and seasonings, cooking equipment
and supplies, jerky and sausage.
New exhibit
space created by the addition of the third building
resulted in more exhibitors, more products to see
and touch and evaluate ... and, maybe, to buy. Many
companies exhibit on alternating years so they can
exhibit at more expos over a two-year or three-year
period. Those you missed last year may be back this
year. The 2008 exhibitor list will be posted approximately
45 days in advance of the Classic.
More than 500 Illinois whitetail entries expected.
One of the largest and best whitetail displays anywhere!
Entry and display in the Roller Hockey Building to
the west of the main building. Look for the ID banner
on posts in front of the Hockey Building. There may
or may not be parking close by, depending upon the
time of day you arrive.
The contest is sponsored by
Miller High Life.
Binoculars and firearms scopes to try out and learn
to adjust better for maximum value, maximum use
and satisfaction.
Plus meat handling, freezing, thawing, seasoning,
cooking and serving tips. Be ready to sample some
great flavors. A cooking demo will follow each venison
butchering/processing demo, in the same seminar
room. Come prepared to make notes.
It's true that kids probably enjoy these ranges
the most, but who is to specify the true age limits
of kids! Airgun, laser firearms, laser archery,
and regular archery range are operated under the
watchful, instructive eyes of adult range masters
for best learning and safe operation. Equipment
provided at all ranges.
Cougar, wolf, black bear, grizzly bear, bobcat,
coyote -- all a part of the fascinating North American
wildlife scene.
Contest held Saturday, February 23. Sponsored by
the Illinois State Chapter of the National Wild
Turkey Federation and hosted by the Mackinaw Valley
Gobblers. Call Gary Eichelberger at 309-454-6502
(evenings) for information.
Byron Ferguson and his entertaining archery trick
shooting is an annual regular, simply because he's
so much fun to see. He will give two performances
Saturday, February 23, and two performances Sunday,
February 24.
He shoots wooden discs and
pennies from the air, snuffs a candle with an arrow,
shoots ricochet arrows into a target's bullseye,
and bursts inflated balloons while shooting from
all sorts of twisted positions.
Ferguson is a veteran bowhunter
and has taken more than 180 whitetails, plus black
bear, a record-book mule deer, moose and game birds.
Your entire family will
enjoy his archery performance.
* Complete deer skeleton
in a glass case and nearly life-size artwork of
the whitetail deer skeleton identifying every bone.
See how deer are put together. Figure out best aiming
point-of-impact for quickest results, where to shoot
and where not to shoot.
* Illinois fur-bearing animal
hides/pelts/furs.
Provided by Illinois
Trappers Association
* Flint-knapping demonstrations
See stone arrowheads, spear
points, knives and axes made the same as they were
made thousands of years ago AND see meat cutting
demonstrations with the stone knives. The results
are impressive.
Stone work by Mark McDaniel,
Metamora |
