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Time to go wild and SEWE has it all

Mic Smith
The Post and Courier

South African artist Johan Spies (above) straightens his artwork Wednesday in the ballroom of Charleston Place in preparation for the upcoming Southeastern Wildlife Exposition.

If you love watching animals — or people, for that matter — you have to check out the Southeastern Wildlife Expo this weekend. Sure, it can get a little confusing as to which is which, sometimes. But hey, that's all part of the fun.

Now in its 26th year, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (or SEWE) is the largest wildlife art and nature event in the nation, attracting more than 35,000 attendees annually.

Truth be told, there's probably more people than that. It's just hard to get an accurate head count when a third of your clientele is wearing camouflage.

So what's so great that it gets all these people to come out every year? Well, SEWE offers up conservation exhibits, retriever demonstrations, children's activities, as well as a large collection of antique decoys, firearms, prints and nature photography for sale.

And for those who like their animal experience a little more action-packed, be sure to check out one of these highlights.

My dogs are soaring

Sure, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has perfectly manicured pure-bred dogs, but can they catch a squeaky toy more than 20 feet off the end of a dock? (Hint: No.)

This year, the dog-jumping competitions you've seen on ESPN are coming to SEWE. Come and watch or enter your own dog.

Grant Reeves, CEO of DockDogs, said there aren't any real rules as far as what kind of dogs can enter.

"Basically, they just need to be over 6 months old," he said. "We don't discriminate."

You hear that chihuahua owners? Sign up now.

The entire phenomenon of dogs jumping off docks got its start back in 1999 during the Great Outdoor Games. (You remember, the thing with the guys chopping wood and running on logs in the water? That's it.) Almost immediately the sport took off, presumably after a ratty old tennis ball.

During the three-day expo, there will be eight heats (or waves) consisting of 40 dogs each. There are open slots for 10 dogs in each of those heats, Reeves explained.

From those heats, winners will move onto the finals, which will be held Sunday afternoon.

For more info, check out www.dockdogs.com.

CHECK IT OUT: Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Friday. Heats (no, not that kind) start at 10:30 a.m. and go through 1 p.m. Sunday. Finals will be 3:30 p.m. All events take place at Brittlebank Park. (For a complete schedule, see the SEWE calendar.)

Provided

Jack Hanna

Jack of all trades

As far as wildlife superstars go, the king of them all has to be Jack Hanna. (Sorry, Smokey Bear). As director of the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo and host of the popular television series "Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures," Hanna is best known for animal preservation. Well, that is when he's not busy keeping wild animals out of David Letterman's pants.

His charisma and animal knowledge make him the perfect person to teach children and adults about the many wonderful animals on this planet.

CHECK IT OUT: 3 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday at Gaillard Auditorium. (Note: Seating is done on a first-come, first-served basis.)

Soaring stars

Always a big hit, the International Center for Birds of Prey will be on hand again this year at SEWE. A tent will be set up in Marion Square so visitors can come in and be attacked by a variety of endangered species.

Of course, we are only kidding, there won't be any attacking.

But there will be plenty of learning and educating. As far as the types of birds you can expect to see, the center will be trotting out a bald eagle, some hawks, several falcons, a couple of different owls and, of course, some vultures.

As for which bird gets the most autograph requests, Stephen Schabel, the center's director of education, explained: "They're all big shots, but people seem to love the bald eagle best because he's big and bald." (Think Dr. Phil, only with talent.)

In addition to seeing some amazing birds in action, folks can sign up to be a volunteer at the center as well.

CHECK IT OUT: The tent will be open all three days, but flying demonstrations will take place 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday in Marion Square.

Quick draw

Not everybody's definition of good art is the same. But if there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that art, when done in a huge hurry like the way those chefs cook on "Iron Chef," is totally awesome.

To satisfy the craving for speedy art, the folks at SEWE have created the first "Quick Draw" competition.

Here's how it works: Participating SEWE artists have one hour to paint their masterpiece, which will then be auctioned off with all the proceeds going to the Medical University of South Carolina's Children's Hospital.

CHECK IT OUT: Painting starts at 1:30 p.m. Friday and the auction follows at 3 p.m. at the Charleston Place Ballroom.

Busch league

If Jack Hanna isn't your thing (or you aren't able to see him), check out the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary program.

Established in 1983, the sanctuary cares for sick, injured and orphaned wild animals, while promoting wildlife and habitat conservation through a variety of community environmental outreach programs.

What that means to you: You get to see lots of fascinating animals up close without getting eaten for dinner.

CHECK IT OUT: 11 a.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and noon and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Gaillard Auditorium.

SEWE Schedule

Today

1-5 p.m.: Preview Afternoon (Badge required). Charleston Place and The Mills House Hotel.

7 p.m.: Preview Night Gala and Sale (Appropriate badge required). Charleston Place.

Friday

9:30 A.M.: DockDogs registration opens. Brittlebank Park.

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: All exhibits open.

10:30 A.M.: DockDogs Big Air, Wave No. 1. Brittlebank Park.

10:30 A.M.: Retriever demonstrations. Marion Square.

11 a.m.: Busch Wildlife Sanctuary animal show. Gaillard Auditorium.

11:30 A.M.: Retriever demonstrations. Brittlebank Park.

11:30 A.M.: Birds of Prey demonstrations. Marion Square.

Noon: Cast net demonstrations. Brittlebank Park.

12:30 P.M.: DockDogs Big Air, Wave No. 2. Brittlebank Park.

1:30 P.M.: Quick draw competition. Charleston Place Ballroom.

1:30 P.M.: Retriever demonstrations. Marion Square.

2 p.m.: Retriever demonstrations. Brittlebank Park.

3 p.m.: Jack Hanna presentation. Gaillard Auditorium.

3 p.m.: Quick draw auction. Charleston Place Ballroom.

3:30 P.M.: DockDogs Big Air, Wave No. 3. Brittlebank Park.

4 p.m.: Birds of Prey demonstrations. Marion Square.

4 p.m.: Fly fishing demonstrations. Brittlebank Park.

5 p.m.: DockDogs Extreme Vertical. Brittlebank Park.

6 p.m.: Ducks Unlimited oyster roast (Separate ticket required). Charleston Visitor Center Bus Shed.

Saturday

9-10 a.m.: Early bird hour (Badge required). Charleston Place, Mills House, Charleston Marriott.

9:30 A.M.: DockDogs registration opens. Brittlebank Park.

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: All exhibits open.

10:30 A.M.: DockDogs Big Air, Wave No. 4. Brittlebank Park.

10:30 A.M.: Retriever demonstrations. Marion Square.

11 a.m.: "Wildlife Art — A History" lecture. Riviera Theatre.

11 a.m.: Jack Hanna presentation. Gaillard Auditorium.

11:30 A.M.: Retriever demonstrations. Brittlebank Park.

11:30 A.M.: Birds of Prey demonstrations. Marion Square.

Noon: Cast net demonstrations. Brittlebank Park.

12:30 P.M.: DockDogs Big Air, Wave No. 5. Brittlebank Park.

1:30 P.M.: Retriever demonstrations. Marion Square.

2 p.m.: "A Commitment to Conserving Africa's Wildlife" lecture. Riviera Theatre.

2 p.m.: Retriever demonstrations. Brittlebank Park.

3 p.m.: Busch Wildlife Sanctuary animal show. Gaillard Auditorium.

3:30 P.M.: DockDogs Big Air, Wave No. 6. Brittlebank Park.

4 p.m.: Birds of Prey demonstrations. Marion Square.

4 p.m.: Fly fishing demonstrations. Brittlebank Park.

5 p.m.: DockDogs Speed Retrieve. Brittlebank Park.

7 p.m.: SEWE Soiree (Separate ticket required; attendees must be 21 or older). Charleston Visitor Center Bus Shed.

Sunday

9:30 A.M.: DockDogs registration opens. Brittlebank Park.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: All exhibits open.

10:30 A.M.: Retriever demonstrations. Marion Square.

10:30 A.M.: DockDogs Big Air, Wave No. 7. Brittlebank Park.

11:30 A.M.: Retriever demonstrations. Brittlebank Park.

11:30 A.M.: Birds of Prey demonstrations. Marion Square.

Noon: Busch Wildlife Sanctuary animal show. Gaillard Auditorium.

Noon: Cast net demonstrations. Brittlebank Park.

1 p.m.: DockDogs Big Air, Wave No. 8. Brittlebank Park.

1:30 P.M.: Retriever demonstrations. Marion Square.

2 p.m.: Retriever demonstrations. Brittlebank Park.

2:30 P.M.: Busch Wildlife Sanctuary animal show. Gaillard Auditorium.

3 p.m.: Fly fishing demonstrations. Brittlebank Park.

3 p.m.: Birds of Prey demonstrations. Marion Square.

3:30 P.M.: DockDogs amateur finals. Brittlebank Park.

4 p.m.: DockDogs semi-pro finals. Brittlebank Park.

4:30 P.M.: DockDogs pro finals. Brittlebank Park.

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