Conservation Corner: August 20, 2001

Expo Features Top Attractions and Speakers
by James L. Cummins

The second annual Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Expo will be held on August 24-26 at the Forrest County Multi Purpose Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. According to Leila C. Wynn, President of Wildlife Mississippi, "Wildlife enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy the many seminars. We have scheduled some top speakers and are very fortunate to attract such talent."

Greg Harkins, a chair maker who uses techniques from the mid 1800s, will be at the Expo. He has preserved a dying craft to make extremely durable and fine quality chairs. Each piece is dated and signed and guaranteed. His creations are in 20 countries and the homes of many former presidents, including Presidents Clinton, Bush, Reagan and Carter. He has donated one of these chairs for a door prize to be won by a lucky attendee of the Expo!

Greg is also a cook and at the Expo he will share his cooking secrets of "Preparing Venison Sausage." Wildlife Mississippi is very fortunate that Ken Reeves, a member of the Primos Game Calls Pro Staff from Alabama, will be conducting seminars at the Expo on "Early Season Bowhunting and Calling."

Ken's unique blend of calling and vast bowhunting experience will enable him to deliver practical and useful information for both the novice and veteran bowhunter alike. His love of the outdoors, calling expertise and ability to share his knowledge about archery and bowhunting whitetail deer has brought him much respect and notoriety.

James "Bub" Jackson and Kelly Darden Jr., two of the nation's top hunters, will be at the Expo to talk about "Proven Tactics For Trophy Bucks" and "Deer Calling". Both men have been featured in numerous articles in national magazines like Mossy Oak's The Country Magazine, The Southern Sporting Journal, Advantage Outdoors, Buckmaster, Bassmaster, North American Whitetail Magazine and more. They are often featured in newspapers and on radio programs and has appeared on national television shows like TNN's Remington Country.

Melvin Tingle of the famed Mississippi Outdoors television show will be at the Expo to sign autographs. He has been involved in promoting conservation in Mississippi for over 30 years. So, come on out to the Expo and meet the star of Mississippi Outdoors.

Wayne Monk, the fishing pro with Mississippi Outdoors will be at the Expo to conduct a question and answer session on both saltwater and freshwater fishing. Monk is well know for his fishing experience, which will enable him to provide the answers to your most difficult questions. His love of fishing and ability to share it has brought him much respect.

Wildlife Mississippi is pleased to bring The Bass Tub to the Expo. It is a 42-foot long fish tank which holds 5,000 gallons of water. More than just an aquarium of huge fish, The Bass Tub is a live classroom for anglers. One of its primary goals is to educate and entertain the angler. During the seminars, spectators will get a "fish's eye view" of how fish react to lures. The Bass Tub will demonstrate various techniques and what baits to use while fishing. There will be four Bass Tub seminars over the 3-day Expo. Show Hours are: August 24, Friday, 3 pm - 9 pm; August 25, Saturday, 10 am - 8 pm; August 26, Sunday, 12 pm - 5 pm.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi.