By Don Gasaway
For the past 31 years individuals and families traveled to the campus of John A. Logan College on the fourth Saturday of September. They are attending the Southern Illinois Hunting and Fishing Days, an event designed to teach hunting and fishing skills, as well as ethics, safety and conservations associated with outdoor recreation.
Upwards of 30,000 people attend this event in Carterville, IL This year’s title sponsor is Black Diamond RV Superstore in Marion, IL. The fun is schedule for September 22 and 23, 2018. Admission and parking are free.
In addition, Black Diamond RV will present “The Turtleman” from Animal Planet TV and Layla Spring from American Idol Contest on Saturday to entertain and sign autographs.
Also, on Saturday local high school teams will compete in the Crab orchard High School Bass Classic. The school with the heaviest weight of bass wins a trophy. Each team will have an adult coach in the boat who cannot fish but rides along.
This year the 1 millionth visitor to the event will receive $1,000.00 in a giveaway on Sunday. The winner must be present to win. Also, on Sunday “Abe Lincoln” will be at the college’s 200-year old log cabin for pictures and to celebrate Illinois’ Bicentennial. Buckskinners will be on the campus for both days to reenact the lifestyle of Illinois’ early settlers.
Among the activities scheduled are youth waterfowl calling contests on Saturday morning, as well as instruction in archery, the shooting sports and fishing. Local sponsors and vendors provide the events and volunteers will provide instruction and safe supervision.
Dogs and waterfowl activities figure prominently in the festivities. Demonstrations by Splash Dog, agility dogs, retrievers, search and rescue dogs, police dogs as well hunting breeds. Another component involves training and nutrition for dogs.
Tents are erected on the campus grounds to house the vendors of equipment for outdoor recreation enjoyment. Food is available from other vendors at nominal prices.
Housed in the college gymnasium, Skylight Lounge and front lobby is the Outdoor Art & Heritage Show. It promotes participation in outdoor recreation through artistic, cultural, natural history, entertainment and taxidermy displays.
To the casual observer watching a child fishing with his family at the fishing pond is nice. More importantly, it is the future of conservation. Hunting and Fishing Days is an introduction to the wild and the ethics involved. These children are the consumers of the future who, with their taxes paid on equipment and licenses will be the stewards of the wild and protectors or wildlife. For more information about the event and schedule of activities check the website at www.sihfd.org.
Prospective vendors can obtain applications on the website at www.sihfd.org. or by calling Shannon Woodworth at 618-218-1858. The email address is sihuntingfishingdays@outlook.com.
For more information on lodging accommodations as well as outdoor activities in Williamson County, or to receive a free color Visitors Guide, contact VisitSI at 1602 Sioux Drive, Marion, IL 62959. Call 800-GEESE-99 or email info@VisitSI.com. Current information is also available online at www.VisitSI.com.
The Salukis finished tied for eighth place last season, but return 17 starters, including nine starters on defense. Guiding the offense will be fifth-year senior quarterback 
