2009 Seminar Speakers Coming Soon !!

2008 Seminar Speakers

R.G. Bernier

RG Bernier Maine’s own legendary deer tracker, R.G. Bernier once again returns to the Yankee Sportsman’s Classic. With him he brings a whole new and exciting wealth of whitetail insight, stunning photography and tracking techniques. “For over three decades Dick Bernier has fine-tuned his tracking skills like none other,” writes noted nature photographer and whitetail behaviorist Charlie Alsheimer. “The hunting resume he’s assembled puts him on a plane few have experienced. He truly is a master tracker.”

Bernier has entertained and enlightened thousands through his informative seminars all across the country. He is the Northeast field editor for Deer & Deer Hunting magazine, the hunting editor for Outdoors Magazine and contributing writer for Whitetail News. He has successfully tracked down and killed dozens of hog bodied bucks. Autographed copies of his newest book, Dickie the Deer, along with, The Deer Tracker’s Journey will be available. Dick will be signing his books and answering questions in between seminars at the Outdoors Magazine booths #748 and #749.

The Benoits

Benoits The Benoit Brothers, Lanny, Lane and Shane Benoit trophy deer hunters from Vermont, will present a new seminar video presentation showing the latest season’s hunts with many tips on how to take big bucks. Caught on film this year was the taking of Shane’s 260 pound buck. (large 8 pointer)

Over the past forty plus years the Benoit’s have appeared in numerous magazine articles such as Sports Afield, Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Deer & Deer Hunting, North American Whitetail, Buck Masters, and more. The Benoit Brothers have co-written two books on trophy white-tailed deer hunting. They are presently working on the second edition of “Big Bucks Benoit Way” with Bryce Towsley. Great Northern Productions has spent seven seasons with the Benoit’s filming their hunts and producing three videos to date. A fourth video is expected to be released in January of 2008. Also, new this year, in limited quantity a 2008 Benoit Brothers Calendar. (includes January of 2009)

During the 2007 seminar season, the Benoits sold raffle tickets to benefit both the Vermont Kidney Foundation and Camp Ta Kum Ta, both worthy causes. Thanks to the great prizes that were donated by many of our organization associates, we were able to give them each $1200. The Benoit Brothers show video footage at their trailer and are available to answer questions or just chit chat with fans and fellow hunters. They will also have about 20 heads and a full 21 point mount (Buddy) on display.

Al Morelli

Nick Smith A New England native, Al Morelli has been hunting wild turkeys for over 30 years. He has experienced hunting all species that inhabit the U.S. One of his many achievements during this time was holding the record for harvesting the largest turkey in the state of Connecticut.

For ten years, Al participated in the Turkey Calling Competition Circuit, winning scores of trophies, including 5 state championships in the same year. Al has been representing Quaker Boy Game Calls for 25 years as a Pro Staff Team Member. For the past fifteen years, Al has concentrated on giving seminars about the Wild Turkey. He will be the first to admit, that, despite the tricks turkeys have played on him, he suspects they have more under their wings.

Nick Smith

If Nick Smith was asked to participate in only one aspect of the outdoor lifestyle, he would without hesitation say it is impossible. Residing in Lake Bomoseen, VT, Nick divides his time between operating his guide service, Vermont Outdoor Connections, which specializes in quality hunting for turkeys and waterfowl; lecturing at seminars; writing several monthly columns for Outdoors Magazine, Woods & Water USA, La Chasse Peche, and competing as a professional turkey caller. His feature articles can also been seen in Fur-Fish-Game and American Angler Magazine. Nick’s status as a Knight & Hale Pro Staffer has yielded tremendous amounts of turkey and waterfowl hunting experience that he passes on at every seminar. His book: Waterfowl Hunting--Ducks and Geese of North America covers many topics new to the current waterfowler. Autographed copies will be available! Aside from his schedule, Nick is as personable as he is knowledgeable, and he loves to chat. Feel free to visit the Vermont Outdoor Connections booth and learn the latest techniques that are being perfected in both the turkey and waterfowl world. To email Nick with any questions, or to receive more information: itieflies83@aol.com.

Jim Norton

Jim Norton a native of New Hampshire has fished for trout and salmon from Newfoundland to Alaska. A register New Hampshire Fishing guide, speaker and writer Jim’s columns appear in the New Hampshire Union Leader and other publications. Jim’s spends the majority of hi s time fishing New Hampshire’s major watersheds; the Connecticut, Saco, Merrimack, Pemigewasset and Androscoggin along with other rivers, brooks, streams and ponds by wading, kayak, canoe, float tube and drift boat. Jim’s other interests include fly tying and bird hunting with his English Setter Duchess.

Ken Hammell

Ken Hammel grew up in Altoona P.A. He has been a whitetail hunting fanatic since the age of twelve. He has thirty years of experience hunting the North American Whitetail Deer, in fact in ten consecutive deer seasons he harvested bucks scoring 130 to 189 7/8inches on the Boone and Crocket Gross Scale. He also has harvested in his hunting endeavors three Giant Whitetails scoring over 170 inches of antler, all on public land where anyone can hunt.

Ken is a nationally known caller and hunter. His expertise in hunting the Whitetail Deer has allowed him to be successful in the many States and Canadian Provinces that he hunts. He has harvested over 100 whitetails in his lifetime, 70 percent of them being bucks. His knowledge on how to rattle in the Big North American Whitetail Deer is second to none. He has rattled, called, and used scents in order to be successful time and time again. Come along and listen to Ken speak on how to help you understand how to rattle in those incredible big whitetails to your tree stand in your neck of the woods. Ken is the Owner of Mountain Hollow Game Calls, Inc. Because of his knowledge of rattling, building grunt calls, and using deer scents, his seminars will help you the deer hunter to outwit that big buck of a lifetime.

Michael Ralbovsky

Michael Ralbovsky has taken his lifelong love of reptiles and developed an approach to natural history education that has made Rainforest Reptile Shows, his North Boston-based, educational outreach company, famous throughout New England. Childhood asthma kept Michael out of the furry pet world most of us are used to, and planted him firmly in the realm of scales and claws.

He got his first pet snake when he was five years old and he has been learning from his reptilian encounters ever since. Michael is now sharing these educational experiences with as many people as he can! As the child of an Air Force Serviceman, Michael is widely traveled and never misses a chance to learn about the local slitherers and crawlers. While living in Florida, Michael had many opportunities to interact with the neighborhood alligators, venomous and non venomous snakes, and various other reptiles and amphibians. Ralbovsky obtained a BS degree in Biology, but gained his most valuable experience as an animal keeper at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park.

Michael was promoted through the ranks from keeper to Operations Manager and was one of the few people in the world that could interact with the monstroussized Gomek, one of the world largest crocodiles. In all, Michael has worked with and gained an in-depth knowledge of all twenty-four species of Crocodilians, not to mention the 17’9” saltwater crocodile giant at The St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park. Michael currently lives in Beverly, Massachusetts with his wife and business partner, Joaney M. Gallagher, their five children, and lots and lots of animals! Michael started Rainforest Reptile Shows in 1993 to help promote his love of the natural world and his concern for rainforest preservation.

Dave Hentosh

Dave Hentosh has dedicated his life to studying wildlife on many levels. Wildlife Biologist, wildlife sculptor, and owner of Smoldering Lake Outfitters in Maine. See clips from his new Moose hunting DVD “Answer The Call” as Dave shares his insights on reading and adapting to each hunting situation so you may better interact with the game you pursue.

Alec Sparks

Alec Sparks Alec Sparks Snowbound Kennel is a ‘training only’ facility located in Addison VT specializing in developing outstanding retrieving, pointing and flushing dogs for sportsman. Snowbound Kennels is located on 112 private acres adjacent to almost unlimited additional training areas for both upland and water dogs. A professional since 1992 and member of the Professional Retriever Trainers Association [PRTA] since 1995~ all training is preformed by Alec, assistant trainers are never used. Alec has been supported by Tri Tronics, manufacturers of quality remote dog training collars for over 10 years. Snowbound Kennels does not breed dogs, offer studs, sell training equipment or operate a shooting preserve. Rather its focus is on training your dog to meet your requirements. www.snowboundkennelsvt.com.

Showtimes

Ticket Prices