In last week's column we detailed some of the attractions and events at the upcoming Lehigh Valley Hunting & Fishing Extravaganza set for Aug. 23-25 at Kempton Fairgrounds.

This week we'll list all the free competitions for man and beast.

One of the most popular competitions last year was the Pennsylvania Outdoor Skills Competition for men and women age 16 and older.

This event is sponsored by Cabela's in Hamburg and will include outdoor skills that are not physically challenging. For example, there will be five stations comprising Tree ID and Forestry Knowledge, Fishermen's Casting Challenge, Archery Shooting, Waterfowl ID and Clay Bird Shooting from a mobile launcher.

Each participant needs a scorecard that can be picked up at the shows' information booth located inside the main hall. All stations will be marked with banners and upon completing all stations with scores recorded by the station managers, cards are to be dropped off at the information booth. Cabela's will offer substantial gift cards for the competitors who have the three highest cumulative scores.

For the ladies, Leslie Smith, PA Outreach Coordinator for the National Wild Turkey Federation, will be offering a special drawing for the ladies who competed in the Skills Competition. If you're a member of Women In The Outdoors (WITO) or join as a member while at the show, you merely need to bring your score card to WITO's booth (before depositing it at the information booth) to enter a free drawing for a prize from WITO.

For boy and girl scouts, the show will again sponsor the Scout Challenge consisting of a 10-station competition to include BB-Gun Marksmanship, Tomahawk Throwing, Casting Accuracy, Knot Tying and other events. The top three scorers will receive cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25 respectively. Last years event drew boy and girl scouts from three states and 22 troops.

Aside from the adult and scout competitions, there will be a Junior Mr/Ms Lehigh Valley Competition for youngsters 16 and under. This event will have four hand-picked stations that entail a Daisy BB and pellet gun shoot under the direction of members from the Lehigh County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, a Turkey Hunt Challenge where kids will shoot marshmallows at turkey decoys, a Casting Challenge and a Jr. Bowhunters Challenge coordinated by the United Bowhunters of PA. Like the adults, scorecards will be available at the information booth.

As mentioned, there will be a Bird Dog Competition to test how quick your hunting dog can find two separate caged pheasants amid the field cover at the fairgrounds. Dogs are given eight minutes to do so and last year's winner found them in one minute, 23 seconds.

Of the 21 dogs that competed, four did not find both birds, eight found one bird and nine found both birds.

Entry for the 9 a.m. Sunday event is free but registration is required by Friday or Saturday at Pheasant Valley Farms booth whose kind folks are running this competition.

The owners of the top three winners will receive Cabela's gift certificates for $100, $75 and $50 respectively.

If your dog isn't responding well, Mark Wolfskill owner of Pheasant Valley Farm and guide Karen Keen, will give bird dog training seminars at 5 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Showgoers should not forget about the Get Outdoors Photo contest where showgoers can vote for the best outdoors oriented photos. Mounted photos may be dropped off at Bob's Taxidermy in Orefield, Weaknecht Archery Shop in Kutztown or the Carbon County Environmental Education Center in Summit Hill by Aug. 10. For more information contact Jeannie Carl at 570-325-4336.

If you have the kids in tow at the show, slip on down to Kistler Creek at the lower level of the fairgrounds for the free kids fishing contest.

Admission to the Extravaganza is $5 for adults, $1 for children ages 8-12 and scouts in uniform and their leaders, are free.

Kempton Fairgrounds is located on Rte 737N (Kutztown exit) off I-78. For more information check the shows' website (www.lvhfe.com) or call 610-398-7609/610-683-7405.