MANITOWANING—The 3rd annual Manitoulin Deer Show is taking place Saturday, August 27 in Manitowaning from 10 am to 3 pm at its Assiginack arena/fairgrounds location where organizers have the day jam packed with activities for both kids and adults.
The morning starts off at 10 am with a Kids Wilderness Challenge where teams of two go through a series of stations testing their skills in the outdoors. Any age is welcome and you don’t have to be an avid sportsman, just an outdoor enthusiast. The Challenge is just for fun, but the winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Perry’s Gun Store!
The deer show is also hosting a Wild Game Cook Off with the winner walking away with a brand new big barbecue. The dish doesn’t have to be venison, but does have to have wild game in it. On that note, Venison Cookbooks are also on sale for $10. These are recipes from Island hunters and their families so you know they are tried and true. Bet you will recognize many of the names, and they make great Christmas gifts!
Once again, Assiginack is asking hunters to bring in their mounts with the chance of winning a firearm. This year the committee has created a Manitoulin Hall of Fame, so bring in your mount, it doesn’t have to be the biggest, they will be looking for interesting ones as well.
There is a variety of speakers for this year’s Deer Show. The committee has booked Keith Munro, travelling up from southern Ontario. Mr. Munro is a Trent University PhD candidate and wildlife biologist who will share some great knowledge with the audience. Locals Mike Phillips and Ian Anderson will give a talk on predator control and Rob Argue from Quality Deer Management Association will also speak on looking after the whitetail deer. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will also do a question and answer session.
Sheila Madahbee, a world class archer, will be on hand to offer archery tips and for kids and adults to try. This will take place in the fairgrounds. Peter Craig will also be on hand to answer all your field plot management questions. As well, the Deer Show will have a target contest to test hunters’ skill and accuracy inside the arena.
Vendors include Rylan’s Clothing of Mindemoya, Perry’s Gun Shop, Kukagami Jack, Valley Guiding and Outfitting, Addison’s of M’Chigeeng, Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association, Quality Deer Management Association, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and local celebrity Neil Debassige from ‘Fuel the Fire TV.’
The deer show is not only for experienced hunters, if you are new to or visiting the Island and would like to learn more about the famous Manitoulin deer hunt, come on over to the Assiginack Arena. If you’re looking for more information on hunting, equipment, regulations, see our vendors that will be available throughout the day. This is a must attend event for all local, visiting, and new hunters. In addition to all these great exhibits, it will be a great place to tell or listen to stories about hunting triumphs, close calls, or near misses.
Don’t forget, there is to be a surprise announcement that deer hunters won’t want to miss.
