It could be that there will be snow on the roof of Pepsi Coliseum and several other buildings at the Indiana State Fairgrounds when the curtain rises for the 52nd annual Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show Feb. 17, but it will be spring, summer, and fall rolled into one season for 10 days.

Staged by Renfro Productions, this sportsman’s extravaganza launched by the late Harry Renfro more than half a century ago, offers something for anyone who steps outdoors with recreation in mind.

When one tries to enumerate the great features of the show that often is called “ “best of the Midwest” by both exhibitors and patrons, one had better be without mittens and socks. It is that good and that big.

For those who recreate with fishing gear, guns and other gear used for “bringing home the bacon,” there is a wealth of information and entertainment in Exposition Hall and Champions Pavilion. But boat and recreational vehicle folks will be just as happy in West and South pavilions, and Pepsi Coliseum will be the apple of eyes that see a vacation as the solution to their wanderlust. Put it all together and you have an unsurpassed superfecta of ourdoorsing.

Although the Sports Show runs for 10 days (through Feb. 26), the three-day Indiana Deer and Turkey Exposition runs concurrently through the first weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), and the three-day Indiana Motorcycle Exposition runs through the last weekend. Both will be found in Exposition Hall.

Exhibitors of Expo Hall will offer a wealth of lore on hunting deer and wild turkey, but a huge feature revolves around the Indiana Deer Hunters Association’s antler scoring program in the first weekend.

The Deer Hunters Association brings in official scorers to measure racks that have potential for the Indiana Record Buck Program. There is a $10 fee for measuring a deer rack, but if it is large enough for inclusion in the official record book (140 for typical, 160 for non-typical) there is no further charge.

This feature also offers the awesome “Legends Of Indiana” display, some of the largest racks ever taken in Indiana.

Expo Hall’s schedule of hunting seminars offers such big names as C.J. Winand, and Roger Raglin on deer, and Preston Crabtree on wild turkey.

Hours: Fridays, Feb. 17 and 24, 3 to 9:30 pm; Saturdays, Feb. 18 and 25, 10 am to 9:30 pm; Sundays, Feb. 19 and 26, 10 am to 5 pm; Monday, Feb. 20, noon to 9 pm; Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 21, 22, 23, 3 to 9 pm.

Admission: $9.00 for adults, $8.00 for senior citizens, $6.00 for children 6-12 years old, children 5 years old or younger admitted free. Advance tickets at Marsh grocery stores will save some money. Two-day Pass, $15.00. 

CONSERVATION DAY

Sen. Robert Meeks, LaGrange, will be honored as “Conservationist Of The Year” when the Indiana Conservation Alliance (INCA) stages its second annual Conservation Day at the Statehouse February 20.

Sen. Meeks, long a strong supporter of good conservation practices, will be honored for his work in the Indiana General Assembly.

Twenty-Five of the state’s leading organizations on conservation of natural resources are members of the INCA. Each is expected to have a desk on the second floor of the Statehouse for activities that will start at 11:15 a.m. when John Tomke, former national president of Ducks Unlimited, will speak. A reception for legislators is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

The INCA will stage an organizational meeting at 9 a.m. that day in Conference Room C of the Indiana Government Center South. Individuals and representatives of member organizations will register for the event at that meeting.

Purpose of the Conservation Day program is to help legislators learn more about legislative issues involving wildlife and natural resources.

HAIR TODAY . . .

True to the February form chart on squirrels, we are getting some questions about squirrels wearing dark splotches of skin where their hair should be . . .  the most asked question: Wha hoppen?

We asked Dr. Harmon P. Weeks, Purdue U. wildlife professor, about this last year at a time when it seemed logical that this would occur in adult squirrels that might be preparing a cozy place for young to survive the dying blasts of winter. It is that time, you know.

Not so, said Dr. Weeks, my candidate for most knowledgeable wild-lifer of the state, maybe the universe. It is caused by a high level of giberellic acid, he continued, noting that this comes from eating fermented corn . . . Note: Dealing in fermented corn “still,” is frowned upon by the revenuers, but I am not certain this would apply to squirrels. . . .