3 area hunters offered trophy buck awards; Waterfowl watch slated; Maple syrup process demonstration planned; Hunter safety class set

3 area hunters offered trophy buck awards

Three area hunters have been invited to receive the 2011 Trophy Buck Print Award Saturday and Sunday at the 37th Annual Eastern Iowa Sportshow in Cedar Rapids.

The award recognizes trophy bucks taken in Iowa and registered with the Department of Natural Resources for the 2010-11 deer-hunting season.

Daniel Schwarz of Fairfield harvested a deer in Van Buren County that scored 157 5/8 points in the Shotgun-Typical category.

Robert Lyons of Fairfield harvested a deer in Jefferson County that scored 175 points in the Shotgun-Nontypical category.

Dylan Laux harvested a deer in Van Buren County that scored 198 2/8 points in the Bow-Nontypical category.

Trophy Buck awardees will receive a signed and serialized print by artist Greg Bordignon commemorating the trophy buck registered in 2011 with the DNR. Bordignon will be presenting the awards. The awardees also receive a complimentary pass to the show.

For information, visit the website www.iowashows.com.

Waterfowl watch slated

Jefferson County Conservation and the Southeast Iowa Audubon Society are sponsoring a waterfowl watch led by Diane Porter Sunday afternoon.

Those interested should dress warmly and bring binoculars to meet before 1:30 p.m. in the Jefferson County Park Nature Center parking lot. Participants will carpool and head east to several locations in Henry County.

Jefferson County Naturalist Therese Cummiskey said mid-march is a great time to watch migrating ducks and geese; ?perhaps we?ll even be lucky enough to see a trumpeter swan.?

The fee is $3.

To preregister, call Cummiskey at 472-4421 or email therese@jeffersoncountyconservation.com.

Maple syrup process demonstration planned

MOUNT PLEASANT ? A free maple syrup demonstration is planned from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Oakland Mills Park near Mount Pleasant.

Demonstrations on tree tapping, boiling in an evaporator and tasting are planned at the Dorothy Family Maple Syrup Camp at the Top of the Hill shelter area.

?Come and go as you please,? said Henry County Conservation Department Naturalist Cari Griffin Nicely, adding that all ages are welcome, and properly supervised groups also are welcome.

For information, call 319-986-5067.

Hunter safety class set

A free Hunter Education Safety Class will be held in March at the Southeast Iowa Skeet Club.

The class sessions will be from 6-9 p.m. March 20 and March 22 and from 8 a.m. to noon March 24. Participants must attend all three sessions to complete the class.

Earning a hunter-education course certificate is mandatory for everyone born after Jan. 1, 1972, who wants to purchase an Iowa hunting license.

The minimum age for certification is 12 years.

Preregistration is required by calling Shawn Morrissey at 472-4421.