FOXBORO - South Attleboro's Timothy Fontaine is one step closer to becoming Field & Steam Magazine's next Total Outdoorsman Challenge winner.

Fontaine is one of five New England men to advance to today's northeast regional tournament, which will be held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Back in May, four Massachusetts men and a New Hampshire man qualified for the regionals after their performances at the Bass Pro Shops in Foxboro.

Now, Fontaine and the four others will compete in four skill challenges (baitcasting, fly casting, archery and air rifle) with the two top finishers among over 20 expected northeast region contestants, advancing to the finals in Springfield, Missouri in September.

Fontaine will be joined by Medway's Chad Fiutem, Franklin's Tim Gehling, Chelmsford's Kevin Gray and Evan Christensen of Brentwood, New Hampshire.

This is the fifth year of the Total Outdoorsman Challenge, which weeds out the best-of-the-best fishermen and hunters in the country. "We're looking for the person who lives for the outdoors; the kind of person who enjoys all four seasons because they enjoy fishing, hunting, camping and everything that comes with it," said Anthony Licata, editor of Field & Stream. "The more you know about the outdoors the more fun you can have,"

Today's event is part of the nationwide competition of 24 local qualifiers and six regional events leading up to the finale in September where the top finisher will be awarded $25,000 in cash and prizes as part of a $50,000 purse.

Harrisburg's top two finishers will then advance to the national championship in Missouri (September 5-7) with 16 competitors facing off - the top two from each of the six regions, the top three finishers from the 2007 national tournament and one wild card selection made by the editors of Field & Stream.

At the finals the competitors will go head-to-head in seven outdoor skill challenges including fly-casting, baitcasting, shotgun, rifle, archery, endurance skills and ATV handling.

Jeremy Garnish (Clarksburg, Mass.), Jay Moore (Millbrook, NY); Tom Dutcher (Rome, NY); Matt Stedina, (Stockbridge, Vt.) and Dan Powell (Saint Clairsville, Ohio) advanced to the finals last year and the five men have been extended invitations to compete in the Harrisburg regional as well.