"The Final Charge State of Maine Locked Moose" Dedication Ceremony During the L.L.Bean Hunting Expo
L.L.Bean and Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife have partnered to develop a rare and massive taxidermy display of two Maine moose in a locked antler battle. The display will be dedicated during a special ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 26.
Freeport, ME, September 18, 2009 &ndash The Final Charge is the name of an extremely rare taxidermy display developed in partnership with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MIF&W) and L.L.Bean. A special ceremony will be held at 11a.m. on Saturday, September 26 to dedicate the display to a Maine-based outdoor-related organization during the L.L.Bean Hunting Expo, September 26-27. The ceremony will take place on the Main Street Patio of the L.L.Bean flagship store in Freeport. MIF&W Commissioner Danny Martin, Mark Dufresne, the taxidermist who developed the display, officials from L.L.Bean and other special guests are expected to give remarks. The Maine Color Guard will also be presenting the colors at the beginning of the ceremony.
The taxidermy mount, one of only two such mounts in all of North America, will be on display semipermanently at L.L.Bean, encased within a specially designed viewing diorama. It will also make appearances at various regional events in a custom-built trailer, specifically made for viewing.
In May of 2006, Adella Johnson found the remains of two bull moose on her property in New Sweden. The moose died after their antlers became locked in battle during the previous fall's rut. Adella then donated the antlers to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to be used for educational purposes.
The MIF&W contacted L.L.Bean with the idea of partnering to bring these moose back to life by recreating their battle and sharing interpretive and educational information about them with the general public.
L.L.Bean and the MIF&W then engaged Nature's Reflections Taxidermy of Gray, Maine, to develop the display. The antlers have never been separated since they first became locked in the fall of 2005.
"For decades, L.L.Bean has maintained a close working relationship with Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The development of this display is yet another facet of our partnership," said John Oliver, Vice President of Public Affairs for L.L.Bean. "It's entirely fitting for L.L.Bean to come together with the Department to bring to life one of Maine's most endearing outdoor icons, the moose."
In addition to the dedication ceremony, the L.L.Bean Hunting Expo will feature two days of additional activities for the whole family. Whether you're a veteran hunter or are just getting started, the L.L.Bean Hunting Expo is a great way to learn cutting-edge strategies, see the latest gear, take advantage of some great deals and much more. Craig Boddington, internationally known hunting celebrity, will be on-hand all weekend, giving presentations and signing autographs, and Tim Bradley from Team Benelli USA will thrill audiences with incredible trick shooting demonstrations. Hunters of all ages can also benefit from valuable tips from some of the industry's top experts like Hal Blood, Bob Humphrey, Harry Vanderweide and others. Mossy Oak's pro staff will be available all weekend, plus there will be vendors, demos, hands-on activities, free archery, clay-shooting and fly-casting lessons and much more.
During the weekend, 5% of all hunting gear and apparel sales will be donated to the MIF&W for moose research, management and conservation.
