OUTDOORS NOTES

It's referred to as the "State Fair of the Outdoor Community."

The Outdoor Adventure Expo is scheduled Friday through April 27 at and around Midwest Mountaineering, 309 Cedar Ave. So. in Minneapolis, and the nearby University of Minnesota campus.

The event features everything for the outdoors adventurer, with more than 60 exhibitors and 60 presentations, as well as sales on outdoors gear. Admission is free.

Among the programs: BWCA Trip Planning, Camping and Exploring the North Shore, Canoe Camping on Minnesota's Rivers, Exploring Voyageurs National Park, Kayak Fishing on Lake Superior and Inland Waters, and Lake Superior's Many Hiking Trails.

For more information, including a list of exhibitors, schedule of events, driving directions and parking, see the event's Web site at www.outdooradventureexpo. com.

Programs, schools slated in May at Deep Portage

Deep Portage Learning Center and Conservation Reserve near Hackensack will host several programs and schools in May:

Spring ecology hike and Tree Top Tower visit, 1:30 p.m., May 3.

Songbirds of Deep Portage, 9 a.m., May 24.

Cost for each is $5 for adults and $3 for members, seniors and children 12 and younger.

Two outdoor schools also are scheduled in May:

Wing Shooting School, Session I, May 16-18 - Will teach the basics of good wing shooting technique and will cover such topics as safe gun handling, gun selection and gun fit. Classroom learning will be augmented with extensive shooting on the Deep Portage sporting clays range. The $400 tuition includes all meals, lodging, instruction and targets.

Fly Fishing School and Morel Hunt, May 16-18 - Will teach basic and intermediate fly-fishing techniques. Master instructors will cover fly-tying, equipment selection and reading the water. The $300 tuition includes all lodging, meals, instruction and equipment use. The final day will feature a Morel hunt among the Deep Portage aspens.

For more information on any of the programs or schools, call (218) 682-2325 or e-mail portage@uslink.net. Visit the Deep Portage Web site at www.deep-portage.org.

Deep Portage is located 10 miles east of Hackensack, off Cass County Road 46.

Teach a Kid Trap Shooting scheduled May 17

Lakeshore Conservation Club in Nisswa will host Teach a Kid Trap Shooting from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 17 at the club's range.

The free event will feature gun safety, trap shooting, skeet shooting, one-on-one instruction, door prizes and lunch.

The range is located across from Ski Gull on Cass County Road 77.

For more information, call Steven Weagel at (218) 543-4321.

Elks Fishing Fling scheduled Thursday

The Elks Fishing Fling is scheduled Thursday at the Elks Club's new location at 215 S. 9th St., Brainerd.

Tickets are $50 and available by calling the Elks Club at 829-2643 after 3 p.m, or by contacting any committee member. Seating is limited to 175.

Social hour begins at 5 p.m., with dinner - choice of prime pork or chicken ala Smith - at 7 p.m. and program and prizes at 8 p.m.

Major prizes include an Aqua-Vu underwater camera, utility trailer, Mille Lacs launch trips, other guided fishing trips and more.

All proceeds go to the Elks Youth Activities Fund, which provides scholarships to area high school students and supports the State Elks Youth Camp on Pelican Lake.

ATV Spring Fling slated April 27 at Waterfall

The Crow Wing County ATV clubs will conduct their first "ATV Spring Fling" at 3:30 p.m. April 27 at the Old Waterfall Inn.

Among those who have been invited to attend are the Crow Wing County Board; DNR representatives; Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd; Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley; and ATV riders from the five clubs in Crow Wing County.

A social hour will be from 3:30-4:30 p.m., with speakers scheduled from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. and a buffet dinner. Cost is $10 per person.

Club officials said those attending will receive updates on ATV trail development in the county, a short discussion on the new Ambassador program the DNR and ATV clubs are working on, legislative updates on ATV regulations and sharing trail riding plans for the summer.

Ruffed Grouse Society bringing two-day challenge to Staples

The Ruffed Grouse Society will hold its two-day Chukar Partridge and Sporting Clays Challenge on May 3-4 at the Little Moran Hunt Club, 44357 Red Oak Road, Staples. Registration is at 8 a.m.

According to Steve Grossman of the Ruffed Grouse Society, the event is open to pointing and flushing breeds in two divisions - Single and Team - with fees of $100 and $200, respectively. A non-refundable deposit of $35 single and $70 per team is required by April 26. Participants must add $25 after April 26.

The Challenge, which will be scored on total points, includes 50 rounds of sporting clays and a time-limited three-bird chukar hunt. A non-hunter division, which includes 50 rounds of sporting clays and lunch, is $35.

For more information and/or registration, call Grossman at (218) 894-3852 or e-mail mail@littlemoran.com. Additional information and directions can be found at www.littlemoran.com.

Information on the RGS, its mission, management projects and membership can be found at www.ruffedgrousesociety.org.

Crosslake Community School second in state archery tourney

Crosslake Community School finished second in the State Division/Elementary School competition in the DNR National Archery in the Schools Program state tournament, held last month in Becker.

Hill City placed first in the division.

Competition was held in high school, middle school and elementary school divisions. Crosslake Community School was the only area team to place in the tournament.

"Nearly 600 students from throughout the state participated in the tournament," said Kraig Kiger, DNR shooting sports program administrator. "The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) keeps involving more schools, more students and more families in a safe and supervised activity that can last a lifetime."

Teams finishing first earned an opportunity to participate in the NASP National Championships. The top teams in each age group in the national and state divisions received a trophy. Plaques were awarded to teams that finished second and third.