Shotguns are one of the most versatile firearms on the market and can be used for a wide range of species. Whether you?re looking to hunt, bear, deer, waterfowl, turkeys, upland birds, or small game, a shotgun may be one of your best investments! A shotgun may provide the most opportunities for various hunting pursuits. In this workshop, shotgun hunting scenarios will begin with action types and choosing the right choke and shot size for the game you seek. We?ll cover judging distance, shooting at moving targets, and patterning your shotgun. Be prepared to do lots of shooting at the range, where we?ll simulate flushing birds, passing wing shots, incoming waterfowl, and more. This is great for the new hunter or shooter and a great refresher to get ready for the season.

This workshop will be hands on with our time balanced between practical exercises and live-fire range time open to anyone 12+.?

Rifles come in a wide choice of calibers, functions, and designs. They can be used to harvest small game such as squirrel or hare, or big game such as deer, bear, or moose. Learning to correctly use a rifle will increase the enjoyment of a hunt, and you will be more confident in the field. We?ll cover the various types of rifles and their application to types of hunting. Join us to learn caliber selection, ammunition types, and how to sight in a rifle to ensure an ethical harvest. You?ll have the opportunity to use a variety of sighting systems from basic to advanced. We will be working with small-bore rifles while working on developing your skills. This workshop will be a blend of hands-on demonstration, practice, and live-fire exercises for ages 12+ led by professional staff and range safety officers.

The popularity of handloading your own ammunition is growing. This can be a good option if you have an obscure caliber that is hard to find or you would like to switch to non-toxic (copper) ammo. Another advantage is that it allows you to customize your ammunition for specific game species, terrain, and firearm capabilities. Gain a deeper understanding of your equipment while enjoying the pride of self sufficiency and accomplishment. This seminar will cover many of the aspects required to know to begin, including safe firearms handling, and provide information that will help hone existing handloading skills. There will be no live-fire in this workshop.

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024, 6pm-8:30pm
Location: Western Maine Fish & Game - 1026 Norway Road Harrison, ME?

Challenge yourself this fall in pursuit of one of Maine?s most sought after big-game species. This rewarding hunt will bring you closer to your food source and provide sustainable lean proteins to your meals.? It's not too early to start thinking about deer season, and we have the perfect workshops to prepare you. In this workshop you'll learn everything from scouting and finding a spot to hunt to tree stands and selecting the right gear for an ethical harvest. This session will take you through selecting locations, hunting methods, and hunting equipment specific to deer.

Participants will be able to handle different rifles, bows, and crossbows used for deer hunting and learn in the field. There will be no live-fire in this workshop.