PHOENIX — So you want to be a better angler. Or maybe you’re looking to pick up a few basic wilderness survival skills “just in case.” And critters? Oh, they’ll be there — up close and personal, too.
Whatever you choose to do at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 2018 Outdoor Expo – by the way, admission and parking are free – be sure to swing by the Outdoor Presentations Tent in Area 1 (Family Adventure). That’s where a different expert will share his outdoor “specialty” every hour, beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Here’s the lineup – and bring your questions!
Saturday
10 a.m. – Flexible Fly Fishing. No need to spend big bucks on a fancy fly rod, reel and specialized weighted line. AZGFD volunteer Bill Larson shares how much fun fly fishing can be with any rod and reel.
11 a.m. – Wilderness Survival. Would you know what to do in an outdoor survival situation? AZGFD’s Jeff Sorensen will offer basic skills that could come in handy if you ever become lost or stranded.
Noon – Jaguars and Ocelots. AZGFD’s Mark Hart will talk about recent sightings of these endangered species in southeastern Arizona and how their presence poses challenges for wildlife and land managers.
1 p.m. – Venomous Reptiles. Spring is here, and desert critters like rattlesnakes and Gila monsters are out and about. AZGFD’s Randy Babb will bring them and share some fun facts.
3 p.m. – What Bones Tell Us. All animals have a life cycle, and AZGFD’s Jeff Meyers will share how much can be learned from examining the skeletal remains they leave behind.
Sunday
10 a.m. – Bass Fishing on a Budget. It’s spring, and that means bass fishing! AZGFD volunteer Mike Koepnick will show you how to get started without breaking the bank.
11 a.m. – What Bones Tell Us. All animals have a life cycle, and AZGFD’s Jeff Meyers will share how much can be learned from examining the skeletal remains they leave behind.
Noon – Jaguars and Ocelots. AZGFD’s Mark Hart will talk about recent sightings of these endangered species in southeastern Arizona and how their presence poses challenges for wildlife and land managers.
1 p.m. – Venomous Reptiles. Spring is here, and desert critters like rattlesnakes and Gila monsters are out and about. AZGFD’s Randy Babb will bring them and share some fun facts.
For the fourth straight year, the presenting sponsor of this year’s expo is Shikar Safari Club International. Gold sponsors are OneAZ Credit Union, Sig Sauer and MyOutdoorTV.
Game and Fish conducts the expo to promote wildlife-related and other outdoor recreation activities. The public’s participation in these activities supports the department’s mission and funding. The department receives no Arizona tax dollars, and no tax dollars are used in conducting the expo.
Give your trigger finger a workout
From BB guns and .22 rifles, to shotguns and bows, hands-on fun awaits
PHOENIX — If you’re interested in firearms but don’t know where to start, or just want to take a few shots with the latest firearms from some of the biggest manufacturers, then don’t miss the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 2018 Outdoor Expo.
For two days – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 24, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 25 – Arizona’s largest free outdoor recreation expo will take over the Ben Avery Shooting Facility and provide all kinds of fun, hands-on activities and demonstrations, including opportunities to watch, learn and sample everything “shooting.”
The best way to get started would be to head over to “Introduction to Shooting,” located in Area 1 (Family Adventure), where after a brief safety presentation adults and children 9 and older can do some target shooting using .22 rifles. Adults with children 8 and older are encouraged to give BB gun shooting a try in Area 2 (Main Area).
If shooting with a bow and arrow sounds like fun, learn all about it at “Family Archery” in Area 1 (Family Adventure). This activity is geared for families with children 8 and older.
Other shooting opportunities will include steel target, air gun, practical pistol, clay target, benchrest, cowboy action and an archery field course with 3D targets. While most of the shooting opportunities are free, some require a nominal fee for ammunition.
A few of the organizations that will be sponsoring shooting opportunities include Christian Hunters of America (formerly Desert Christian Archers), Honeywell Sportsman Club, Shoot Right, Arizona Cowboy Shooters Association, Dillon Aero, Shooter’s World, Cactus Match League and Ben Avery Benchrest Shooters.
Expo-goers also can test firearms (for a nominal fee for ammunition) or check out displays from some of the biggest names in the firearms industry, like Daniel Defense (Shooter’s World), FN America, Ruger & Co., Glock, Walther Arms, Patriot Ordnance Factory (POF), Robar Companies, Heckler & Koch (HK), Sig Sauer, American Spirit Arms, Nemo Arms, Dillon Aero and Precision.
If sitting back and watching accomplished shooters in action is more your speed, be sure to catch the cowboy mounted shooting competitions Saturday and Sunday (main matches begin at 9 a.m., with finals in the afternoon) at the Royce W. Anderson Family Arena in Area 3 (Outdoor Recreation, Shotgun Area), as well periodic fast draw demonstrations both days at the “Cowboy Action Shooting” venue in Area 2 (Main Area).
For the fourth straight year, the presenting sponsor of this year’s expo is Shikar Safari Club International. Gold sponsors are OneAZ Credit Union, Sig Sauer and MyOutdoorTV.
Game and Fish conducts the expo to promote wildlife-related and other outdoor recreation activities. The public’s participation in these activities supports the department’s mission and funding. The department receives no Arizona tax dollars, and no tax dollars are used in conducting the expo.
Lake Paddlemore returns for Expo
90,000-gallon pond offers tranquil respite, water safety lesson
PHOENIX – Hit the water and take a short paddle around the 90,000-gallon kayaking pond at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Outdoor Expo, presented by Shikar Safari Club International.
Admission and parking are free for the family-friendly, hands-on event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 24 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 25 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, just west of Interstate 17 and Carefree Highway in Phoenix.
Learn some basics, get some exercise and experience while paddling around the popular lake. The experience is designed to provide beginner or experienced kayakers a chance to try their hand at the paddle, while receiving a water safety lesson.
That’s just a hint of the outdoor extravaganza that is the AZGFD Outdoor Expo.
In addition to Lake Paddlemore, officials with AZGFD’s Off-Highway Vehicle program will be present to answer questions and provide information on how to ride safely and responsibly. ATV and side-by-side dealers will also be on hand with their latest machines for sale.
Talk to experts about wildlife, hunting, camping and fishing tips or allow the kids to try their hand at the free catch-and-release fishing pond. Visitors can also see and learn about wildlife, watch horse-mounted shooting competitions, and try out firearms in a safe, controlled environment on the range (nominal fee charged for ammunition).
There will be more than 150 exhibitors, including outdoor recreation and conservation groups, government agencies and commercial vendors of outdoor products and services.
More than 48,000 visitors attended last year’s family-friendly Expo, so with picturesque weather on tap for the weekend, everyone is encouraged to visit.
The presenting sponsor of this year’s Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo is Shikar Safari Club International. Gold sponsors are OneAZ Credit Union, Sig Sauer and MyOutdoorTV®
For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/expo.
