The Sportsman's Corner: Outdoor Shows Season Upon Us

Here in the middle of winter we are once again entering the season for outdoor sports shows. Though there are numerous shows throughout the state beginning in January, there are three shows that are probably most convenient for sportsmen in and around the Cove.

The first of these is the gigantic Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg that runs from Feb. 2 through Feb. 10. This show is held annually at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. This year there will be over 1,100 exhibitors and over 400 outfitters hosting booths. Some booths present information about exotic hunts and exciting fishing adventures in various locations. Since public-land deer hunting is in such a sorry state in Pennsylvania, many hunters visit booths that offer deer hunts throughout the United States. Some of these are beyond the financial reach of many sportsmen, but others can be affordable. In addition, more than 200 demonstrations and seminars about various topics are scheduled. Ticket prices are $14 for adults and $7 for children over five. For more information, you can check out GreatAmericanOutdoorShow.org on the internet.

Only a week later the Allegheny Outdoor Sport and Travel Show will be organized at the Monroeville Convention Center outside of Pittsburgh. This show runs from Feb. 15 through Feb. 17. Tickets for the show are $12 for adults. However, beginning Feb. 5, coupons offering a $2 discount will be available at many Subway restaurants in the Pittsburgh area. Children under 12 will be admitted to the show for free. Like the Harrisburg show, this is a large one, with more than 40,000 parking spaces available. The Allegheny show will offer hundreds of booths similar to the ones at Harrisburg, and a nice array of seminars will be presented as well. Show hours are 12 – 8 on Friday, 10 – 8 on Saturday, and 10 – 5 on Sunday.

The show closest to the Cove is the annual Jaffa Outdoor Sports Show that is scheduled to run from Feb. 22 through Feb. 24 at the Jaffa Shrine in Altoona. Though this is the smallest of these three outdoors shows, it is the one that will feature some local conservation groups that deserve the support of area sportsmen. Among these are the John Kennedy Chapter of Trout Unlimited (Blair County) and the local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. These groups, along with the Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania, rely on funds realized from this show to further their outdoor missions.

Outdoor shows provide good ways for sportsmen to put in cold winter days.