See you at the Show!!!!!

For the Sports enthusiast January marks the beginning of the sportsmen shows circuit all over the United States. Here in the northeast there is a show almost every weekend through the month of March.Some guides and outfitters follow the circuit from show to show, while others pick and choose which is the best one or ones that benefit them the most. For Big E and I, we exhibit at the Eastern Outdoors and Sports Show in Harrisburg Pennsylvania which is considered the biggest show in the northeast as well as one of the longest running shows, running 9 days beginning the first weekend of every February. To the outdoors lover, this show is the Disney World of sports shows with everything and anything ones heart could desire, or even imagine. For many it is also the place to talk directly with guides and outfitters for that dream hunt, fishing trip or vacation of a lifetime. But how do you choose??? I'm going to give you some tips to help you make the best choices when making your decision.
First off understand the difference between a guide, guide service and an outfitter. When you are talking with a guide service, you are generally talking with the folks who will be guiding and hosting you. A guide can work for himself or herself, or for a specific guide service or outfitter. You will want to know who, where and what in this case. Some guide services are also an outfitter like myself, but other outfitters may be more like a travel agent; they can set up all the details, but you may never see this person again.
There are hundreds, maybe even thousands to choose from depending on the show you attend. You need to narrow things down. First, where is the destination you wish to go, and what species or adventure are you looking for. You may wish to book right at the show, or you may be one of those who fill up a bag full of brochures to check out later. I recommend if you know where and what you would like, book at the show. This is the best opportunity to talk face to face with those who are offering the services. It is a good thing to have a list of questions ready to ask them. This will save you time, effort and money.

Now what is the difference between the big well known businesses and the smaller ones? The big guys often come with the big prices. Kind of like paying for brand name products, or less expensive bargain brands. This comes right down to how deep are your pockets. Many of the big guys offer all the bells and whistles of a fancy resort while most smaller ones provide the comforts of home, and some are very rustic. These kinds of details should be decided before you go to the show. What is it that you want to experience.
Finally, the price. What are the services offered. Remember the golden rule; if it sounds too good to be true, probably is. Some will offer discounts or show specials for those booking at the show. I have done this in the past, however, this year, with the high increases in cost to operate and the price of gas, it is just not an option. Therefore, this should not be your defining decision maker. This is where it can get complicated. Some will lower prices at the show as it progresses if they are not booking clients. Beware!! They may also be cutting services or worse, not be able to produce what is promised. Unless you have the cash to shoot for the stars, I recommend looking at those who are offering the same services in the same price range give or take a couple hundred dollars.
Ask questions; take time to talk. Do they seem genuinely friendly and willing to talk?? Remember you will be spending up to a week with these people. Do they appear to be reading from a script or are they open and comfortable talking to you. Watch out for those that appear to be putting on a show or lure folks into their booths with pretty things.
Take the time to prepare, and have a great time at the show!!

See you at the Show!!

The Lyons Den
By Kimberley M Lyons
        For the sports enthusiasts January marks the beginning of the sportsmen
shows all over the United States. Here in the Northeast there is a show
almost every weekend through the month of March.
        Some guides and outfitters follow the circuit going from one show to
another, while others pick and choose the ones or one that benefits them
and their schedules the best. For Big E and I, we exhibit at the Eastern
Outdoors and Sports Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania which is considered
the biggest show in the northeast. This is also one of the longest shows
running for nine days beginning the first weekend of February every year.
        To the outdoor lover, this is like the Disney world of sports shows with
everything the outdoors man and woman could possibly think or dream of
for any and all outdoor activities. For many, this is the place to talk
with the guides and outfitters to book their adventures for the upcoming
seasons. But how do you choose? Here are some tips to consider when
making the decision, that for some, is a once in a lifetime adventure.
                First, understand the difference between a guide, guide service and an
outfitter. When you are talking with a guide service you are generally
talking directly with the folks who will be guiding and hosting you. An
outfitter may also be a guide, or guide service; however some outfitters
are more like a travel agent. They will set up all the details and you
may never see this person again.
        There are hundreds, even thousands depending on the show to choose from.
Of course, first is your destination. That will narrow the choices down. 
What is it you want to do? That will narrow it down even further and this
is where you want to start. You may wish to book your adventure right at
the show, or you have a bag full of brochures to look at, read and think
about. I think it is good, if you know you want to book an adventure to
book at the shows as you can talk face to face, and ask questions. Have a
list of questions ready that covers all aspects of services with you.
This will save you time, effort and money.
        Next, what is the difference between big well known services and smaller
businesses? The big guys often come with big prices, much like paying for
brand name items versus bargain brands. This comes down to how deep are
your pockets. Many of the big guys provide all the bells and whistles of
a fancy resort with all the luxuries while the smaller ones have most of
the comforts of home, and some are very rustic. These kinds of details
should be considered before going to the show.
        Finally, the price. What are the services offered? Remember the golden
rule; if it sounds too good, it probably is. Some offer discounts and
show specials for those attending and booking at the show; others will
not. This is where is can get complicated. Some may lower prices as the
show progresses if they are not booking clients. Be careful! After all,
speaking from experience, business expenses do not go down. Therefore if
someone is offering something for that low of a price, they may be
cutting services and you may really be disappointed. Unless you have the
cash to shoot for the stars, I recommend looking at those that are
offering the same services for just about the same price range give or
take a couple hundred dollars. Take time to talk, ask questions. Do they
seem to be putting on a show, reading from a script or are they genuinely
friendly?
        Have a great time at the show!!!!

Preparations!

Things have been a bit slow here these last few weeks and I haven't thought of a lot to write here.....happens sometimes. However things well be changing starting this week as we gear up to prepare for our adventure to Harrisburg Pa. for the biggest sports show in the Northeast. There are several shows going on and many guides and outfitters will run the circuit. I think of it and it makes me tired!! I could not imagine basically being gone from home for 2 months going all over the northeast setting up and tearing down to go to the next one. I also wonder as I'm very aware at the cost of these shows let alone the cost of gas, food and lodging while away, how some of them do it. For us, it is extra hard to leave home as we have our animals and we heat primarily with wood. We have to set up a sitter for the dogs and house. I have anxiety like many folks and hate to leave home for any period of time. I have a good time once we get there as long as things go well. I call home a lot to check on things and go from there. Drives Big E crazy sometimes as my nemesis/Alias Blackcloud often emerges full force. Also, twice I have come down with a bad bug and was absolutely miserable. I didn't even want to go to the show, but Big E would not go alone. I would sit in one of the folding chairs in the back of the booth, trying to breath, stop the world from spinning and my guts from rolling. To put it in perspective, I was not is a good place, nor having a very good time. So I wish for the best and take what I get.
This year will be difficult as the gas prices have sky rocketed once again. We downsized to the Ford Ranger mainly for better gas mileage, and the fact that it was newer than the 2 other vehicles/trucks we have. I would not dare to make the venture with the 98, as she is now 13 years old and I have no confidence on her performance so far from home. However, we will be paying just as much to fill the Ranger and we did the full size 98 that did make the trip 3 times. No savings there!! I do wonder what it will come to, as we do not have the option of public transportation in our region and I have already cut my trips to town quite significantly. Blackcloud emerges.....
I have to do some painting on the front display of our booth, have a few new pictures blown up for the exhibit display and get things in general packed such as the brochures and business cards. Must take out the luggage bags and start thinking about what to pack so that I'm not doing it last minute. However I have always said that I work well under pressure and tend to procrastinate badly. Oh well, we will see what I can accomplish!! I also have a meeting tonight for the Penobscot County Wildlife Conservation Association and Thursday is the Fin and Feather Clubs annual fish fry, of which I'm making a big salad for them. So I have plenty to do....must get busy!!!

Winter Wonderland

Everything is covered this morning with a fresh frosting of fluffy white snow, with more possibly on it's way this coming Wednesday with the seasons second Nor-Easter that could drop a foot of snow if the storm tracks right. Big E and the boys have been occupied trapping live rabbits for a beagle club down State, and a few beaver as well. Last Spring Big E trapped 53 beavers locally which have been causing havoc with land owners. Some don't realize that beavers are not only great workers...but they destroy roads and forest. Do they create an ecosystem with their ponds, well yes. However the damage usually out weighs any habitat they create, by destroying others.
There is not enough snow in general for snowshoeing currently, and I need to check to see if cross country ski trails have been groomed. Not that one needs groomed trails but they are very nice. Ice conditions are improving, however as reports have come in, there is still great dangers on the waters. A four wheeler went through the ice on Long Lake even after they checked ice depths that were from 4-7 inches. The ice depths are not universal and can go from 7 to 0 in just a matter of a few feet. Any waterways with a current, I would not even consider trying yet. We have had warm temperatures with rains off and on and have not had an actual period or sub zero temps to make good ice.
I have so many preparations to do for our upcoming trip to Harrisburg which will be on a shoestring this year. The gas costs are estimated to double with current prices defeating the fact that we purchased the Ford Ranger for better gas mileage. We will be paying as much for the little truck as we did for the full size 98 that made the trip 3 times. This is frustrating as I'm trying to figure out ways to cut costs, but can't really see an end to the battle.
I enjoy the show and have a good time for the most part when I'm there. We have met so many great folks and it has become like a big reunion in a way with the friends we have made. However, I'm not a good traveler and tend to be a homebody. Therefore Big E has caved and is letting me take my akita Ozwald once again with us. I have no idea how I'm going to fit him in with the little truck which was the one reason he has not gone with us for the past two years. I'm much calmer having him with me even though I do truly miss those left behind with a sitter. Yes we have to have a sitter for the dogs when we go!

Happy New Year!!! So how was 2010 anyway????

                This is the time of year that most of us stop, take a look over our shoulders and ask ourselves,” How good of a year was 2010? Kind of like a progress report.

                Therefore how did we do with last year’s resolutions before we start making any new ones! I resolved to not let any opportunity to enjoy the outdoors pass me by. I think I did pretty well. I went snowshoeing more times, although the cross country skis’ stood in the corner. However this was due to the fact that I need a new pair of boots.

                I resolved to get out on the water with the kayaks more. Done!! I went out at all times of the day, with the early morning mist rides being my absolute favorite “me” time. I explored new waters and managed to get my best friend out for a day to the Twin Lakes. That day in fact was one of the best of the summer!

                I resolved to go fishing on a whim. I left the house work behind, packed a lunch for all who came along and I went fishing!!! I had evenings that I put my feet up, kicked back, and played photographer way before gorgeous sunsets because I had already limited out with a beautiful catch of native brookies’! Try to top that!

                I resolved to spend more time in a treestand and considering that I sat out with two of my hunting clients, during bear season, I also sat out the complete fourth week of season. I did not get a bear over bait this year; however I did manage to trap a nice one hundred and seventy five pound boar with an awesome thick wooly coat. I thanked the Great Spirit for the gift and wasted not a thing.

                The last resolution I succeeded in keeping is by far the most important and the most rewarding; I shared these things with others! First of all, I shared these times with my biggest fan, Big E. I mentioned my day with my BFF. However the best time of the year was when a special young man joined us on an expedition to my little piece of Heaven on Earth, Nesowanehunk Lake.  Nick Cote accompanied Big E, myself and Chet “the other Fly Rod” Crosby for an evening of kayaking and fly fishing. We loaded two of our kayaks on top of the sixteen foot fishing boat, “The Nymph”, and headed out for an afternoon and evening of pure bliss. It could not have been any better as Nick had never been kayaking or fly fishing. I have always said, “Take someone outdoors”! Nick not only caught on quickly to kayaking, he caught his limit of trout that evening as well! Nicks, younger brother has joined us in the outdoors this year for the first time, just having turned old enough to hunt.

                An honorable second best event for 2010, goes to my good friend Linda Crosby, for the good memories we will always have when we look back at the moose hunts. Linda succeeded to take her second Maine moose in September with a wicked nice bull. We have enjoyed many a Bar-B-Que of moose burgers and Ktaadn Chili!

                The year was blessed with many more wonderful moments. Nick and his Dad, Peter “Coyote” Cote, classmate and fellow guide, joined us once again for bear season. We had a couple surprise visits from two couples from Pennsylvania that have become good friends through the hunting world that warmed the heart. I had two new lady hunters and a new youth hunter for bear season; I always view that as an accomplishment.

                There were a few bumps in the road; a pothole here and there. My alias “Blackcloud” visited here and again. I still stressed too much claiming I work well under pressure. However, overall I would rate the year on a scale of one to ten, a wicked good nine!! Happy New Year folks!!!!