AUGUSTA -- From trophy buck hunters to award-winning artists, the 28th annual State of Maine Sportsman's Show will likely have something for outdoors enthusiasts of all types.

The show runs today through Sunday at the Augusta Civic Center.

"Change is the byword of this show in 2008," said show co-director Harry Vanderweide. "We have lots of new attractions for young and old alike, as well as many of the old favorites returning, too. It's the best of both worlds."

Joe Saltalamachia of Unity College headlines the show's speakers again this year. Saltalamachia uses a one-hour stage show to demonstrate how to successfully hunt white-tailed deer in the 200-plus-pound category. Other features this weekend include State of Maine Sportsman's Show Artist of the Year Patti Carter, an interactive ATV Maine exhibit outside, seminars from L.L. Bean fishing and hunting experts, a catch-and-release trout pond for children and fly-tying clinics from the Kennebec Valley chapter of Trout Unlimited.

The National Wild Turkey Federation's 22nd Maine State Open will be held on Saturday afternoon, and the turkey-calling competition will certainly draw top talent and a big crowd of spectators. There will also be dog-handling clinics from the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association throughout the show.

Dozens of sporting camps, outfitters and outdoors-conscious organizations will also have displays. Six state agencies will be represented, including the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the Department of Conservation, the Maine Center for Disease Control and the Department of Marine Resources.

Travis Barrett -- 621-5648

tbarrett@centralmaine.com