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Our 2007 Show Wrap Up

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A crowning moment

Competition for Valley's top outdoorsmen will be June 23 in Kempton.

By Christian Berg of the Morning Call

Forest Carlson is the best all-around outdoorsman in the Lehigh Valley -- and he has the trophy to prove it.

Carlson, 43, of Maxatawny Township, captured first place in the inaugural Mr. Lehigh Valley Outdoorsman Competition last June at the Kempton Fairgrounds.

Carlson, an avid hunter and fisherman, wasn't the biggest, strongest or fastest man in the competition. But he said his diverse outdoor experience allowed him to post strong showings across a wide range of events such as archery, black powder shooting, rod casting and tomahawk throwing.

''I am kind of a jack of all trades,'' he said. ''I think that's what brought me out on top.''

The 2007 Mr. Lehigh Valley Outdoorsman competition will be held at the Kempton Fairgrounds on June 23, as part of the Lehigh Valley Hunting and Fishing Extravaganza.

As much as Carlson would like to defend his title, a long-planned family vacation to Arizona will prevent him from being there. So, Carlson said, his title is ''temporarily'' up for grabs.

''I'll be back next year,'' he vowed.

This year's competition includes 10 events -- rod casting, log chopping, tomahawk throwing, clay shooting, laser shooting, archery, flintlock shooting, a written test of outdoor knowledge, deer dragging and a slippery fish toss -- with entrants trying to compile the highest aggregate score.

The contest is free and open to men and women 16 and older. Participants will compete in five events from 8 a.m.-noon and another five events from 1-4 p.m. Trophies will be presented to first-, second- and third-place finishers in the men's and women's divisions. First-place winners also will be given the title of Mr. or Mrs. Lehigh Valley Outdoorsman, which essentially affords them an entire year's worth of undisputed bragging rights.

Thirty-five men and women competed in the Mr. Lehigh Valley Outdoorsman Competition last year, and officials hope to draw 50 competitors this year. Extravaganza organizer Bob Danenhower Sr. said people don't have to be outdoor experts or great athletes to participate.

''That's the nice thing about it,'' Danenhower said. ''If you are a good archer, you make up for not being such a good tomahawk thrower. If you are real good black powder shooter, you make up for it somewhere else.

''The only thing that takes somewhat of a physical ability and agility is the deer dragging, because it's a timed event. But if you had to, you could sit that out and still win if you were really good at the other events. The guys who had the best times in deer dragging last year didn't win.''

Although everyone tries to do his or her best, Carlson said last year's event had a light-hearted atmosphere where entrants genuinely pulled for one another.

''If you are into hunting and fishing, try it,'' he said. ''You can't lose anything. You get into the show for free, and you might make some friends.''

The outdoor skills competition is one of many attractions at the Lehigh Valley Hunting and Fishing Extravaganza, which will occur June 22-24 at the Kempton Fairgrounds. The extravaganza -- sponsored by Rothrock Motors, Cabela's and the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Safari Club International -- also will feature 3-D archery shoots, running deer archery target, an outdoor flea market, trout fishing pond, Lehigh Valley big buck display, frontier-style primitive encampment, trapping demonstrations, a laser shooting simulator, expert seminars and more.

Admission is $4 for adults, $1 for children 8-12 and free for children under 8. Parking is free.

There is no entry fee for the Mr./Mrs. Lehigh Valley Outdoorsman Competition, but registration is required. The registration deadline is June 9, and the competition will be limited to the first 50 entrants. All entrants will receive a free extravaganza admission pass and T-shirt. To sign up, or for more information, visit the Lehigh Valley Hunting and Fishing Extravaganza Web site at http://www.lvhfe.com or call 610-398-7609.

cberg@mcall.com

610-778-2252