Expo Brings Hunting, Fishing Tips to the Masses

Whether you want to learn about muzzle loading, how to clean a fish or find out about archery, you'll find it all in one place this weekend.

The East Hampton Sportsman's Alliance will host the first-ever , rain or shine, on the grounds of the on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event may be commonplace in towns further west or elsewhere in the country, but in East Hampton, it's not something that's been done.

"It's a great opportunity — and it's all free — to see what's going on, in an around the Town of East Hampton, in terms of hunting and fishing and all types of outdoor, sportsmen's-like activities," said Steven Tekulsky, a founding member of the alliance.

There will be hunting dog demonstrations, turkey hunting tips, decoys and decoy carving, boats and decoy rigs, fly tying demonstrations and cooking ideas.

Representatives from the East Hampton Town Trustees, Coast Guard, Department of Environmental Conservation and Citizens for Access Rights are among those participating. Local bait and tackle stores, like Mrs. Sam's and will also be on hand. Food and beverages will be for sale.

"We're just looking forward to a big turnout," Tekulsky said. "EHSA is committed to introducing young people to sportsmen's activities and encourage the membership to mentor new, young sportsmen," he said, adding that the number of hunters has decreased state-wide as the hunter population gets older.

However, the alliance promotes all outdoor sportsmen's activities. Formed in 2010 as a not-for-profit organization, its purpose is "to provide a voice to the sportsmen of East Hampton, by operating a club to preserve, protect and advance the heritage of hunting, fishing, trapping, shellfishing and other wildlife activities" within the town. There are about 60 members.

Along with Steve Griffiths, David DiSunno, Terry O'Riordan, Tim Jack and Tekulsky sit on the board of directors.

The group has participated in the East Hampton Town Deer Management Committee and has prepared guidelines available to the public about deer control methods, including situations where homeowners can allow bow hunting on their property or get "nuisance permits" from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for bow, shotgun and muzzleloading hunting. In fact, hunting members are available, free of charge, to residents who want to avail themselves of such a method of deer herd control.

The group has also organized clean-ups at Fresh Pond and Scoy's Pond. In October, it held the first annual Fun Shoot at the Maidstone Gun Club.