VARIOUS DATES -- Boating safety courses with U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (basic classes on boat handling, safety equipment, navigational rules and boating emergencies; specialty classes on advanced navigation, reading nautical chart, using GPS and radar); fee varies. Vessel safety check with local Coast Guard Auxiliary; examine your vessel to ensure compliance with federal, state, local rules; free. Information: safety classes (877) 875-6296, USCGAUX Boating Safety Class page http://nws.cgaux.org/ visitors/ve_visitor/ index.html; vessel checks www. safetyseal.net (click "I want a VSC").

FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH -- U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 20-02, 7 p.m., Chamber of Commerce, 801 Arendell St., Morehead City. Fee: none to join or attend meetings; $25 annual dues. Information: Earle Wood (252) 808-0120, www.cgaux.org.

AUG. 9 -- Capital Chapter of the N.C. Wildlife Federation Inaugural Canoe-A-Thon Benefit on the Neuse River, 12:30 p.m., Falls Lake Dam area down to Buffalo Road, Raleigh. Fee: $50 donation suggested (tax deductible); snacks and drinks provided; canoes and kayaks provided for non-owners; shuttle provided. Information: Katie McKeithan (919) 461-1597.

FISHING.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY -- Capt. Eddy Haneman Sailfish Tournament, all-release, fishing 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, 8-3 Sunday, Bridge Tender Marina, Historic Airlie Road, Wrightsville Beach. Fee: $250. Contact: Bridge Tender Marina (910) 256-6550.

SATURDAY -- Greater Wilmington Hydra-Sports King Mackerel Tournament, 6 a.m.-5 p.m., Dockside Restaurant and Marina, 1308 Airlie Road, Wilmington. Fee: $350. Information: Tom Aberle (910) 350-0952, www.gwkmt.com.

SATURDAY -- "High Tides and High Tails" seminar on fishing for tailing red drum in shallow water with Dean Lamont, 11 a.m., Orvis Raleigh, 3701 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh. Fee: free. Information: (919) 792-9200, www.orvis.com.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY -- 16th annual Oriental Rotary Tarpon Tournament, 6 a.m-5 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Whittaker Pointe Marina, 501 Marina Dr., Oriental. Fee: $300 ($350 after 5 p.m. Friday). Information: Paul Miller, (252) 249-1443, www.orientalrotary.org.

AUG. 1-2 -- 20th annual Ducks Unlimited Band the Billfish Tournament, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday; weigh-ins, Morehead City waterfront; minimum 110-inch length (tip of lower jaw to the fork of the tail) or 400-pounds weight on billfish to be weighed; points awarded per pound; releases earn points (blue marlin 400, others 150). Fee: $400-$4,600, depending up levels entered. Information: (336) 880-3038; www.bandthebillfish.com

SEPT. 27-- "Steelheading Made Easy" seminar on stealhead fishing, 11 a.m., Orvis Raleigh, 3701 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh. Fee: free. Information: (919) 792-9200, www.orvis.com.

OCT. 4 -- "False Albacore on the Fly" fly-fishing seminar for the speedy tuna, with Dean Lamont, 11 a.m., Orvis Raleigh, 3701 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh. Fee: free. Information: (919) 792-9200, www.orvis.com.

HUNTING

ONGOING -- Cape Fear River Branch of Quality Deer Management Association's QDM for Kids, hands-on woodsmanship program. Ages: 9-13, 14-17. Fee: free. Information: Judy Gardner (919) 552-9449, www.capefear-qdma.org.

CLUBS

SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH -- Carteret County Wildlife Club meeting, Morehead City Parks and Recreation building or member's home. Outdoors- and conservation-minded individuals welcome. Fee: $10 annual dues. Information: club president Sue Huntsman, outings chairman Gene Huntsman (252) 447-4061, feeshdr@starfishnet.com, www.clis.com/canoe2.

SHOOTING

SUNDAY -- NRA First Steps Pistol Orientation, 1 p.m.-6 p.m., Sir Walter Gun Club, 2507 Hester Road, Creedmoor, Fee: $75. Information: (919) 521-8904, www.sirwaltergunclub.com.

AUG. 16 -- NRA Basic Pistol Course, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sir Walter Gun Club, 2507 Hester Rd., Creedmoor, Fee: $100. Information: (919) 521-8904, www.sirwaltergunclub.com.

AUG. 23 -- N.C. Concealed Carry Handgun Course, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sir Walter Gun Club, 2507 Hester Road, Creedmoor. Fee: $75. Information: (919) 521-8904, www.sirwaltergunclub.com.

PUBLIC INTEREST

N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries: (252) 726-7021, (800) 682-2632, www.ncdmf.net.

N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission: (919) 707-0010, www.ncwildlife.org.

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council: (843) 571-4366, www.safmc.net.

SEPT. 25-26 -- N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission business meetings, Clam Digger Inn, Pine Knoll Shores. Next: Nov. 6-7, Ramada Inn, Kill Devil Hills. Information: (252) 726-7021, (800) 682-2632.