The 32nd annual Minnesota Deer Classic, which starts Friday, will be held for the second year in its new home at the National Sports Center in Blaine.

And officials hope they have solved congestion issues that occurred last year when the show was moved from the State Fair Coliseum after Sports Center bought the show.

"We've doubled the number of ticketing stations, have widened the aisles in the Sports Expo Center and hopefully solved the problem of lobby congestion,'' said Barclay Kruse, NSC chief communications officer.

Trophy measuring, an archery shoot, and a full lineup of seminars are on tap. ScentBlocker prostaff, including Travis and Leigh Creekbaum of "ScentBlocker's The Chase" and Pat and Nicole Reeve of "Driven'' also will be there. Klaus Lebrecht, owner of Antlers By Klaus, will have several world record racks on display. See nscsports.org for details.

New St. Paul show

Vying for outdoor enthusiasts this year is the new St. Paul Bird, Buck, Bait and Boat Expo being held Thursday through Sunday at the State Fair Warner Coliseum. The show by Shamrock Productions Inc. of Burnsville is new to the Twin Cities, but is similar to ones the company has produced for 48 years elsewhere, including in Duluth and La Crosse, Wis.

As the name implies, the event is a multifaceted show. Fishing and hunting equipment, destinations, as well as boats, RVs, and camping gear will be on display, 197 exhibitors in all.

Is there room for another sports show in the Twin Cities?

"I think there is,'' said Ron Murphy, president and CEO of the company. "It's a different kind of a sports show. There's live entertainment. We have live animals. It's a fun show.'' See for shamrockprod.com details.

DOUG SMITH