The annual Augusta Sportsman's Show was held over the weekend and if there is an event that draws outdoorsmen with more divergent interests, Your Scribe doesn't know of it. A snapshot of the event appears above.

There were hunters, trappers, fishermen and turkey callers mixing with reps from conservation groups, restoration movements and the Bureau of Parks and Lands. Some want to stalk and others are working to protect. But everyone gets along at this shindig, and merchants and attendees alike appeared optimistic that this will be a good spring-summer in the wild.

A few thoughts:

Organizers said the attendance was close to 8,000 for the three-day event, a jump from previous years. The lot at the Augusta Civic Center was full for much of Saturday when I attended.

One of the most popular offerings was ATV riding lessons for youngsters. There was a steady stream of riders (and parents) throughout the cold, windy day, underlining the notion that motorized fun is a growing staple of the Maine outdoors. Also drawing traffic were the photo and wood-carving exhibitions, and the catch-and-release (indoor) fishing attraction. A cooperative eagle was on hand for those who wanted their pictures taken with the huge bird, whose species is in recovery mode throughout the state.

An unofficial theme of the event was "get kids outdoors." Leaders of numerous groups are concerned that youngsters are spending too much time with TV and video games, and not enough hours hiking, fishing or boating.

This year appears to be pivotal in the minds of those concerned about the future of the Maine wilderness. The Land Use Regulation Commission is changing its direction, I learned from the written and spoken word, and snowmobilers, hunters and fishermen feel that LURC will be seeking to set aside more acreage that precludes such activity. Organizing sessions will be held throughout the state in coming months, and it appears that many outdoorsmen are going to appeal for a generous amount of public access.

Your Scribe was disappointed that the session on the Sandy River Radio Telemetry Project was not held because the speaker did not show. A few folks who came to hear the presentation said the program is about reintroduction of salmon in the Sandy. That said, I will have to scurry around to once again look up the definition of "telemetry." How does that fit in with salmon?

I liked talking about aquaculture with a few reps from coastal companies, and learned that mussel farming is thriving on the coast. If the delicious mussels they serve at DiMillo's are grown locally, I would agree with that assessment. There are fresh-water mussels, too, but they are not harvested.

A few real-estate salesmen from the Moosehead area know as little as the rest of us about how LURC will rule on the mammoth Plum Creek development that has been proposed there. "The commission members can overrule the staff," said one Realtor, who is not connected to Plum Creek, "so despite changes that have been made, you don't know how it will come out." The Plum Creek team has revised its proposal three times. Wouldn't they be miffed if the board votes it down.

After perusing a well-illusrated pamphlet glorifying the charm of Jackman, I plan to go up there this spring. They say there are "moose everywhere" in May and June, and I vow to see one before Labor Day.

Speaking of young people learning about the outdoors, close to a half-dozen camps and learning centers were advertising their offerings for summer. I plan to publicize them in coming weeks here on Cabin Country, as I recall the days of trying to identify summer activities for my kids.

Of all the goods on display, I think my first purchase would be a small Honda generator for $689 so that I would have light and some power in the evenings at the cabin. I would like to invest in solar power but the brochure I got from Moosehead Solar indicated the cost is $8,000 to $10,000 - and that is before cutting down the required number of trees to permit the sun to do its work.

I left the show inspired, and hopeful that warm weather will let us get outdoors soon!

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