Youth Events at the Dixie Deer Classic

There are several youth events at the Dixie Deer Classic. Some are aimed at pre-school and elementary school youngsterswhile others are directed toward middle school and high school students.

Adults who are youngsters at heart are welcome to observe any of these events. Also, for those of you who are home school or charter, private, or public school teachers, aspects of these events meet some of the NC standard course of study educational objectives.

Events on antler shed hunting, European skull mounts, food plot and habitat management, hunter's role in maintaining hunting heritage, retriever demonstration, tree stand tactics and safety, and venison processing appeal to audiences of many ages.

Events Aimed at Pre-school and Elementary School Youngsters

Turkey Call School . Learn about the sounds that wildlife turkeys make as well as make an actual turkey, owl, or crow call. The NC State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has presented these programs on the nationally televised show Animal Planet. This free event is located in the corner of the Jim Graham building nearest Hillsborough Street and the Dorton Arena. Boot number 1-L-32.

Gem Stone Mining . Some particles are heavier than others, gold, silver, and gem stones. Add some water to some dirt, whirl it around in a pan. And, the good stuff (e.g. gem stones should be separated from the lighter materials. Try your hand at mining just as the old prospectors did. Located between the Exposition Center and the Jim Graham Buildings. Booth number C-08.

BB Gun Turkey Shoot . Learn from certified hunter education instructors about safe gun handling, safety, sight alignment, sight picture, and trigger squeeze . Four supervised shooters are on the range at a time. The one closest hitting the target closest to the target center gets a special Dixie Deer Classic prize. Visit Booth 1-L-01 in the Jim Graham Building near the Murphy House Restaurant.

Wildlife Scavenger Hunt . Visit NCSU Leopold Wildlife Club and Wake County Wildlife Staff in the lobby of the Exposition Center. There you will get an exam, find out where to get the answers, and be entered into a drawing for valuable prizes. Conservation partners in the Exposition Center and the Jim Graham Building will help you answer the questions and give you a prize. Parents/teachers register the youngsters for this free event. Those scoring well on the exam (hunt) get a special prize and are entered into a drawing for 1 of 2 lifetime hunting licenses, a Parker compound youth bow, 1 of 3 multi-year subscriptions to Wildlife in NC, and 1 of 2 blue bird boxes. You do not have to be present at the drawing to win. Booth 3-Lobby .

Archery Alley . Learn safety and form and shoot a bow and arrow. Certified instructors from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and the NC Bowhunters' Association help get you on target. This event is located in the left front corner of the Dorton Arena. Booth number 2-O17.

Rubber Band Gun . Learn how rubber bands can be stretched over a wooden frame and with the squeeze of a trigger launched at down range targets. Diamond Jim Manufacturing's Booth 1-H-22 is located in the Jim Graham Building .

Wildlife Life Pictures on Pretty Faces . For free face painting by the Wake County Wildlife Club go to the lobby of the Exposition Center Building. Booth number 3-Lobby.

Events Aimed at Middle and High School Students (these are held in the Jim Graham seminar rooms and the Exposition Center Outdoor Lore area)

NC Snakes . This program will focus on common snakes, both venomous and non-venomous, that you might encounter when outdoors in NC.  You'll get the chance to meet many of these snakes first hand.  Do you know if snakes are slimy?  Come and find out for yourself! Instructors include Jeff Hall who is a NC Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (NCPARC) biologist for the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and a member of the NC Herpetological Society (NCHS). Kimberly Burge is the chair of the Education and Outreach Committee for NCPARC, NCWRC educator, and NCHS member.

Birds of Prey . Steve Stone of American Wildlife Refuge has rehabilitated over 600 birds and presented over 1000 programs to 1.5 million people. Those attending Steve's seminar will see eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures, and owls. You will learn about the birds, the rescues, and myths. The seminar is free. For a fee, you can have your picture taken with some of the birds. Steve has state and federal licenses to keep birds of prey for educational shows. Through his care and work, many orphaned or injured raptors are returned to the wild, health and able. Steve has worked with many species of raptors that few in North Carolina have ever seen.

Duck Calling . Not all ducks quack. There are many sounds that ducks make. Allen Bliven grew up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It was there that he developed and appreciation of waterfowl and waterfowl hunting. This developed into business as Allen and his wife Judy started Allen Bliven Calls (ABC), a leading waterfowl call manufacturing company in North Carolina. Allen and members of the ABC calling team will demonstrate a variety of sounds that ducks make and distinguish between the waterfowl calling for competitions versus waterfowl calling used in the field. Allen will also discuss the importance of introducing youth to waterfowl calling and/or hunting.

Trapping Coyotes . Coyotes are an invasive species. This non-indigenous species can upset game and non-game populations as well harm pets and livestock. Jimmy Pierce is a lifelong hunter, angler, and NC trapper. He retired in 1997 as Captain from the Raleigh Police Department. He is a former president of the NC Trappers Association and currently a professional trapper in central NC. Jimmy will speak about trends in coyote management, his knowledge about the animal, as well as techniques, equipment, and other aspects of coyote trapping.

Decoy Carving-History of the Core Sound Decoy Carvers Guild . Expert carvers and guild members Kent Hood and Jerry Talton will teach you about the rich history of waterfowl and shore bird and decoy carving in NC. They will demonstrate their carving methods and tell you about the 25 th anniversary Core Sound festival and classes for aspiring carvers. You'll learn about canvas covered waterfowl decoys and how Jerry uses salvaged materials from local marshes in his carvings.

Live Wolves . These canids are predator species. Frank Newell from Newell Farms Wildlife Center, his family, and staff of volunteers are licensed state and federal wildlife rehabilitators. A retired Army Veteran. Frank retired again after 16 years experience with the USDA as a wildlife specialist. Frank and his volunteers will discuss wolves and other wildlife species and answer your questions on lives wolves, coy dogs, nutria, etc.