Upcoming Events 

February 4,2012 - 8th Annual Cadillac Ice Fishing Contest - You'll want to get this popular event on your schedule this year. Top prizes for heaviest; Perch, Crappie, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Pike & Walleye. Hundreds of prizes given away in random drawings from all entries. For more information call Steve at 231-775-5412 between the hours of 7am-11pm.

February 18, 2012 - Winter Festival to be Held at Bay City State Recreation Area. Get outside and explore Michigan ’s great outdoors as the Department of Natural Resources hosts the 19 annual Winter Festival. The annual Winter Festival is offered on the Saturday of Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend and is one of many “Winter Project GO Get Outdoors” special events offered throughout the state for the entire family. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The annual Youth Ice Fishing Clinic will kick off the festival. As part of the clinic, participants construct a fishing pole, learn how to rig it, design an ice fishing jig, learn about ice fishing safety and get a few tips on how to ice fish. An ice fishing derby starts at 9:30 a.m. Bait and loaner fishing poles will be provided. Pre‑drilled holes for ice fishing will be offered to all children participating. Winter Festival will offer activities for all ages, including morning bird hikes and bird-feeding workshop, a “snowball” tournament, live wildlife presentation, snow snake clinic and tournament, ice crystal treasure dig, snowshoe hikes out to the beaver lodge and an evening owl-calling hike. Participants will be eligible for many prizes and trophies awarded throughout the day. The festival is cosponsored by: the Saginaw Bay Walleye Club and Frank’s Great Outdoors of Linwood. For a complete schedule, visit the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center page on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/saginawbayvc. "The Winter Festival is a great opportunity for area families to try out traditional outdoor winter recreational activities – equipment and instruction provided,” said Park Interpreter Valerie Blaschka. "I encourage families and youth groups to get out to the park and explore Michigan ’s great outdoors!” The Bay City State Recreation Area is located at 3582 Park Drive in Bay City. For more information, stop by the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center, located within Bay City State Recreation Area, or call 989-667-0717. This event coincides with Free Fishing Weekend, so no fishing license is required; however, all fishing regulations still apply.

February 23 to 26 - 39th Annual Outdoorama - Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.
For more information call (800) 328-6550.

Feb. 24-26 - Winter Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program Set for Upper Peninsula

March 3 - U.P. Bear Houndsmen Association (UPBHA) - To Hold Annual Banquet on Saturday at the Terrace Bay Inn in Escanaba, Michigan. The UPBHA meets annually in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula to promote the sport of bear hunting with hounds and to support its membership. Tickets for the banquet are on sale now. Prices are Adults $45.00, Juniors $25.00 (ages 12 to 17), and Children $15.00 (11 and under). The Banquet starts at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. The afternoon program includes informative and entertaining speakers, an ongoing raffle with prizes galore, all followed by a fabulous full-service dinner/banquet. Banquet Order Forms are available online at www.upperpeninsulabearhoundsmenassociation.com. The Banquet ticket price includes a 1-year membership to the UPBHA. Room reservations can be made by contacting the Terrace Bay Inn at 906-786-7554. It’s a good idea to call now to ensure room availability.
The Upper Peninsula Bear Houndsmen Association is incorporated for the purpose of promoting fellowship among hound hunters, advancing their image in the eyes of the public, protecting their sport, and presenting a unified front when dealing with other associations, departments and individuals. Additionally, The UPBHA works diligently on behalf of Michigan black bear hunters to promote the ethical and fair chase sport of bear hunting with hounds. Group leaders and officers attend local, regional, and statewide meetings with the DNR and NRC to ensure, preserve and protect the future of bear hunting throughout the state of Michigan. Sportsmen and women are invited to join the group. Annual dues are $10.00 and the UPBHA membership application form is available online at www.upperpeninsulabearhoundsmenassociation.com.
For more information visit their website or call Russ Fimbinger, 231-878-2364 or rafim339@yahoo.com  

March 10 - Gun Show - Grayling...Call 989-280-2469 for more information.

March 15 to 18 - 67th Annual Ultimate Sport Show—Grand Rapids,  at DeVos Place.
For more information call (800) 328-6550.

June 15 & 16, 2012 - Hiawatha Sportsman's Club Triathlon - Get your team together and join us for
this weekend of; competition, vendors and family fun for all. Test your individual and team skills
against others in a 3-D Archery Shoot, Trap Shooting and Golf. For more information click on flyer. 

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park Get the whole family outdoors for some winter fun. Winter Snowshoe Hikes starting at 11 a.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 21, 28 and Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25 at the Gillette Visitor Center. Snowshoes for the programs may be reserved from the Gillette Nature Association for a $5 fee per pair. Reservations are required to participate in the hikes, and snowshoes can be reserved at the time hike reservations are made. Space is limited. For details or reservations, call 231-798-3573. P.J. Hoffmaster State Park is located at 6585 Lake Harbor Road in Muskegon. The snowshoe events are free; however, a Recreation Passport is required of all vehicles entering the park. Our programs give visitors of all ages a fun experience in a state park and encourage them to explore nature in new ways at home in their own backyards. For a listing of other events taking place in Michigan state parks and recreation areas, visit www.michigan.gov/dnrcalendar. All programs are free; however a Recreation Passport is required for entry into the park. The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan ’s outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities. 

Ludington State Park located at 8800 W. M-116 in Ludington  is offering a Go Get Outdoors free snowshoe trek on Saturdays, Jan. 14 through Feb. 18, weather permitting. These 1-1/2-hour guided snowshoe/nature/history programs will take visitors through Ludington State Park ’s snow-covered sand dunes. Two treks will be offered each Saturday. Start out from the Warming Shelter located next to the parking lot at the end of M-116 at 3 p.m. or try the Moonlight Trek at 7 p.m. The park has 40 pairs of snowshoes to loan out on a first-come, first-served basis. Loaner snowshoes fit visitors ages 10 years old to adult. Reservations are not required. Park staff will be on hand to help novice trekkers with their snowshoes and getting started. Participants are advised to dress warmly, wear good-fitting winter walking shoes or boots, and bring a flashlight if attending the Moonlight Trek. “Snowshoeing can be done by anyone at any age. One hour of moderate walking in snowshoes can burn up to 750 calories, and the sport is one of the safest winter activities,” said Allen Wernette, Ludington State Park interpreter.  For details, call Wernette at 231-843-9261. Snowshoe hikes and cross-country ski events are taking place this winter at many state parks across Michigan. To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park  is located on Michigan Highway 123, near the community of Paradise in Chippewa County. Reservations can be made by calling the park headquarters at (906) 492-3415

Eddy Discovery Center  Programs - (The center is located at Waterloo State Recreation Area near Chelsea.) The programs are geared toward connecting families with nature, and are offered free of charge. 
All programs are best suited for children between the ages of 7 and 12, and children participating in the programs must be accompanied by an adult.
All programs are offered at the Discovery Center, unless otherwise noted.
All programs are free; however, a State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required to enter Waterloo State 
To register for these programs or to get more information, please call the center at 734-475-3170.

Sleepy Hollow State Park - Sleepy Hollow State park is located at 7835 East Price Rd. , near Laingsburg.  For more information about the park, call 517-651-6217.