SATURDAY -- America's Boating Course one-day boating safety course, 9 a.m. -4 p.m., Nationwide Insurance Center, Raleigh. Fee: $35. Information: (919) 781-5917, cgaux911@aol.com.

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 and local safety requirements; 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").

FISHING.

SATURDAY -- Grifton Shad Festival Bass Fishing Tournament, 6:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Lawson Creek Landing, New Bern: Fee: $90 per boat. Information: Danny Joe Humphrey (252) 527-0918, www.grifton.com.

APRIL 26 -- Great Outdoor Provision Co. fly-fishing classes, Clearwater Lake, Chapel Hill: comprehensive one-day courses cover equipment, knots, techniques for cold water, warm water, saltwater. Next: May 3. Fee: $175, includes book, lunch. Information: (919) 833-1741, http://greatoutdoorprovision.com/events/fishing-classes/.

MAY 3-- 24th Annual Piedmont Crappie Classics, first light to 2 p.m.; Falls Lake, Rollingview Marina. Fee: $20 per angler. Information: Phil McCarson (919) 471-1571, philsflags@msn.com, www.geocities.com/piedmontcrappieclassics.

HUNTING

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

MISCELLANY

SATURDAY -- Yee Haw River Paddle, Beginner Paddle, Glencoe Paddle Access, begins 9 a.m. Free. Day Paddle, Glencoe Paddle Access, begins 10:30 a.m. Fee: $15; Family Paddle, Town of Haw River Paddle Access, begins 1:30 p.m. Fee: $15; rentals available for beginner and family paddles. Information: (336) 222-5030, www.thehaw.org/yeehaw.htm.

SHOOTING

TUESDAY -- Range Safety Orientation Course, 6:30 p.m., Wake County Firearms Education & Training Center indoor range, 3921 Old Holly Springs-Apex Road, Apex. Fee: $15-$25. Information: (919) 303-0851, www.wakegov.com/firingrange.

TUESDAY -- Action Pistol League, 6 p.m., Wake County Firearms Education & Training Center indoor range, address, 3921 Old Holly Springs-Apex Road, Apex: Match open to all members of Wake County Range. Fee: $15-$25. Information: (919) 303-0851, www.wakegov.com/firingrange.

APRIL 26 -- Personal Protection in the Home Course, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wake County Firearms Education & Training Center indoor range, 3921 Old Holly Springs-Apex Road, Apex. Fee: $65. Information: (919) 303-5192, www.wakegov.com/firingrange.

PUBLIC INTEREST

TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY -- N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission business meetings, City Hotel & Bistro, Greenville. Next: June 19-20, Brownstone, Raleigh; Sept. 25-26, Clam Digger Inn, Pine Knoll Shores; Nov. 6-7, Ramada Inn, Kill Devil Hills. Information: (252) 726-7021, (800) 682-2632.