Now that the holiday madness is over we can all get back to our normal routine.I’m sure by now your mailbox, just like mine, is overflowing with your favorite outdoor catalogues. It’s just the time to pick out that special hunting or fishing item that Santa forgot or better still, to use that gift certificate.Now that the hunting season is waning, it’s time to prepare for the show season by planning for the upcoming fishing and sporting shows that take place over the next few months.Here’s a quick rundown of show dates and locations.The first is the Marlborough Fly Fishing Show on Jan. 17, 18, and 19 at the Royal Plaza in Marlborough;the Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition at Worcester’s DCU Center (formerly the Centrum) in Worcester on Feb. 5-8 and the annual Springfield Sportsmen’s Show, Outdoors Northeast will be Feb. 19-22 at the “Big E,” the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.I will have more detailed information about these shows in the future.uDecember weather, with some nights in the single digits and alternating days of rain, snow, wind, bright sunlight and the wide range of temperatures, has created varying ice conditions across the state.MassWildlife reminds outdoor enthusiasts including ice fishermen, cross-country skiers, snowshoers, snowmobilers and hikers to always exercise caution when venturing on or across ice covered waters. Test the ice frequently as the thickness may vary in areas exposed to the sun, wind, or underwater currents and springs.Clear, blue ice on lakes and ponds is the strongest with a minimum of two inches needed to support a single person. Five inches of clear, blue ice will support a group of people. Ice strength drops significantly, however, if water is flowing underneath or if the ice is permeated with slush or snow.Honeycombed ice, which is created as the surface ice melts, is the most dangerous and should be avoided unless a safe layer of solid ice is found below. If you do end up in the water, don’t panic.Call for help and then extend your arms and kick your legs to help pull your body back up. Act quickly as the air trapped in your winter clothing will initially help keep you buoyant. Roll or crawl away from open water in the direction of the ice that supported your weight before.Get to the nearest source of heat and shelter as quickly as possible to prevent hypothermia.uBlue Northern Trading Company in Ayer is pleased to invite you to participate in its next NRA Basic Certified Handgun Safety Course on Tuesday, Feb. 10, and Thursday, Feb. 12, at the shop and Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Harvard Sportsmen’s Club.The program consists of approximately 10 hours of classroom instruction and live firing of over 50 handguns at a local range.Each student will actually fire over 120 rounds. The emphasis of the class is handgun safety.This course is somewhat unique in that while the NRA course curriculum is covered in detail, the number and types of firearms available for firing is very extensive.The curriculum includes handgun types, components, ballistics, safe handling of handguns, assembly and disassembly, cleaning and lubricating, safe storage and live range firing.The instructors are NRA certified and have extensive background in the shooting sports. The cost of the course is $150. All handguns and ammunition are provided. The course is also Massachusetts State Police certified.For additional information, contact Tom or Bill Lynch at Blue Northern, 978-772-6779.uWe have been closely following the federal government’s plan to enact a salt water fishing license.The National Oceanic and Administration Fisheries Service has finalized the requirement for national saltwater angler registry for all marine recreational fishermen.Anyone who fished recreationally in federal ocean waters or any tidal waters will be required to register with state agencies.This registration ruling was to take place Jan. 1, however it has been pushed out for a year to allow the state agencies to prepa