All you "Road Runner" fans can go interactive in the First Coyote Hunting Contest on Jan. 17.

Sponsored by Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports in Benton, the contest will be open to two-man teams. Entry fee is $50 per team, and payback will be 100 percent. The contest will take place from first light to 6:30 p.m. Weighin will be at Turbyfill's, which is on Military Road in Benton, across the street from Bank of the Ozarks and next door to Office Depot. Entry deadline is 3 p.m., Jan. 16.

All coyotes presented at weigh-in must be tagged noting the time of kill and county where taken. Coyotes must be taken according to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulations. If the weighmaster determines that a coyote was taken illegally, he will disqualify the team.

Daniel Turbyfill, manager of Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports, said the contest is a way to encourage hunters to enjoy an overlooked midwinter hunting opportunity.

"A lot of guys hunt coyotes around here, so this was just something to kind of get people together," Turbyfill said.

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Besides providing some highquality shooting, hunting coyotes also can relieve pressure on turkey and quail populations. Coyotes, which have no natural predators besides humans, are generally unchecked except by hunters and trappers. Where numerous, they wreak havoc on turkeys.

If you're a novice coyote hunter or want to learn, the contest weigh-in at Turbyfill's will be a great place to meet kindred spirits and learn about this exciting sport.

Doyle Shook, chief of the AGFC's wildlife management division, said the agency strongly encourages coyote hunting, so "Beep! Beep!"

BIG BUCK CLASSIC

The shooting is over, but everybody knows that deer season doesn't end in Arkansas until the Big Buck Classic on Jan. 23-25 at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds in Little Rock.

One of the South's premier deer hunting shows, the Arkansas Big Buck Classic celebrates the past deer season as hunters display the racks from their best bucks under one roof. By show's end, monster whitetail racks will cover the entire Wall of Antlers. They'll all be Arkansas racks, too. It always draws a huge crowd, and it's a great place to swap deer-hunting stories.

The show climaxes on Sunday, Jan. 25, when the winner is crowned. That fortunate hunter will win a Can-Am Outlander 400 EFI ATV from Bradford Marine and ATV. It's also a great place to buy stuff. Vendors selling items from custom turkey calls, duck and goose calls, handcrafted knives and even guided hunts pack the Hall of Industry.

This year, the Arkansas Big Buck Classic also will host the state turkey calling championship, sanctioned by the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Admission for adults will be $10 and $5 for children ages 5-12. Admission is free for children under age 5. On Friday, Jan. 23, concessions for children will be $1.

For information, call (501) 985-1533 or go online to www. bigbuckclassic.com

MARINE EXPO

If you're in the market for a new boat, you might be able to score a sweet deal at the 27th annual Arkansas Marine Expo on Jan. 9-11 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

Ken Griffey, longtime Expo organizer, said the show will offer special boat show pricing on hundreds of boats, including bass boats, deck boats, party barges and other watercraft.

A tough economy has really pinched the boat industry in the past couple of years, and dealers are highly motivated to move some boats. It's definitely a buyer's market.

As always, venders will be on hand with a dazzling assortment of fishing tackle available at discount prices. You can also buy docks and boat lifts, resort vacations and a host of other products and services. There will also be a casting competition for kids.

Show hours will be 10 a.m.–8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission for adults will be $5. Children ages 12 and under get in free. For information, call Ken or Kelly Griffey at (501) 765-1423, (501) 225-6177 or e-mail griffeyinc@sbcglobal.net.

LAKE MAUMELLE MEETING

On Thursday at 6 p.m., the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will hold a facilitated meeting with Lake Maumelle fishermen at the Pulaski Robinson High School cafeteria. The purpose of the meeting is to get ideas about how to improve fishing and fishing access at Lake Maumelle, a big water supply reservoir west of Little Rock.

Many anglers have aggressively lobbied the AGFC to improve fishing at the lake, and this meeting is the first step in formulating a management plan. It will probably be crowded, so I recommend arriving early.