Outdoors calendar

FISHING

TODAY THROUGH APRIL 15 -- Grifton Shad Festival Hickory Shad Fishing Contest, Neuse River and tributaries within 15 miles of Grifton; registration and weigh-in, Stoney Creek Outfitters. Fee: free. Contact: 252-524-4356, edhase@aol.com, www.grifton.com.

JAN. 9-11 -- Raleigh Bass and Saltwater Fishing Expo, N.C. State Fairgrounds, Raleigh: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Speakers: 2008 Bassmaster Classic winner Alton Jones, Elite tournament winner Dean Rojas, Carolina flounder expert Jimmy Price, Southern Kingfish Association Hall of Famer Jerry Dilsaver, others. Fee: three-day pass, adults $8, seniors $7, ages 12-17 $5, 11-under free; discounts online. Contact: 336-855-0208, www.ncboatshows.com.

MISCELLANY

SATURDAY-SUNDAY -- Gun Show, Greenville Convention Center: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Fee: $6 adults; ages 12-under free. Contact: 252-745-5647, www.sndgunshows.com.

FEB. 7-8 -- East Carolina Wildlife Arts Festival and N.C. Decoy Carving Championships, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9-4 Sunday, Civic Center and riverfront, Washington: auction; exhibits, carving, photography, decoys, pottery, jewelry; duck stamp competition; calling, carving competitions; retriever demonstrations. Fee: $8 adults, two-day pass $10. Contact: 252-946-2897, 252-946-9326, sgossett@suddenlink.net, www.eastcarolinawildfowlguild.com.

PUBLIC INTEREST

TUESDAY -- N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Finfish Advisory Committee meeting, 10:30 a.m., N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office, 943 Washington Square Mall, Washington. Contact: 252-726-7021, David.L.Taylor@ncmail.net.

JANUARY -- N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's annual public hearings on proposed hunting, trapping, fishing regulations for 2009-10; all sessions start at 7 p.m.: Monday, District 4, Bladen Community College, Dublin; Wednesday, District 5, Graham High School, Graham; Jan. 8, District 6, South Stanly High School, Norwood; Jan. 13, District 8, Municipal Auditorium, Morganton; Jan. 14, District 9, Southwestern Community College, Sylva; Jan. 15, District 7, Starmount High School, Boonville; Jan. 20, District 1, Swain Auditorium, Edenton; Jan. 21, District 2, courthouse, New Bern; Jan. 22, District 3, Nash Community College, Rocky Mount. Contact: Contact: 919-707-0010, www.ncwildlife.org.

FEB. 11 -- N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission meeting, Raleigh. Contact: 919-707-0010, www.ncwildlife.org.