An annual event which our family looks forward to is the “Outdoor Sportsman Show”, sponsored by the Virginia Deer Hunters Association. The 2003 event takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 8-10 at the “Show Place” which is located at 3000 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, Virginia. There is lots to enjoy at this indoor event which this year includes over 270 exhibit booths. The lucky recipient of this year’s door prize will win a $300 gift certificate to “Green Top Sporting Goods.” The Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show is a great place to learn about upcoming hunting seasons and tactics or just enjoying nature in the woods, bottomlands, and mountains. It can also be a good location and time to shop at the many vendor booths who offer a large variety of supplies and products. Parking is free and there is lots of available right in front of the “Show Place” building. If you need to come back more than once during the August 8-10 schedule, three day passes can be purchased. Ticket prices are $8 daily or $14 for a three day pass. Youth 15 and under are admitted free if accompanied by an adult. For additional information, call (804) 748-7529 or visit the website; www.sportsmanshow.com.

     In addition to the 270 plus vendor or exhibit booths, there are several ongoing seminars scheduled during all three days of this year’s outdoor show. Included will be presentations by Mark Drury of M.A.D. Calls, a Division of “Outland Sports.” Many have seen Drury in turkey hunting productions or are familiar with the wide range of turkey calling or hunting accessories which M.A. D. offers. Mike Weaver, a well known deer archery hunter will also be at the Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show. A special treat for the kids are the live animals brought to the show by Richard English. This year, there will be bobcats, African Porcupine, Siberian Lynx, Royal Palm Turkey and other exotic animals which the whole family can see and watch. A great favorite with our kids are “Dimples and Honee-Be” who provide great fun for youngsters with their clowning, face painting, balloon sculptures and magic tricks. Jerry White of “Dads Box Calls” will provide tips and tricks on working a wary wild turkey into range with his tools of the trade. “T&J Slot Racing” will be at the August 8-10 Outdoor Show along with their 12 foot wide and 8 lane track to race slot cars. Kids of all ages will enjoy this display and the fun associated with it. Arctic Cat Bikes will be at the August Outdoor Show with the new 2004 ATV line. This year ,an outdoor demo track is available for those 21 years of age or older who are permitted to operated the demo “Arctic Cats”. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) will be at the August 8-10 Outdoor Show and as in the past, provide lots of useful information about hunting, fishing and outdoor activities. The show is a good opportunity to renew your hunting and freshwater fishing licenses, a service which the DGIF provides on site. DGIF will also have a 30 minute presentation on improving wildlife habitat. the game species, hunting regulations, wildlife habitat programs and other topics which the DGIF is involved with can provide a wealth of information. This year, hunters can choose to donate two dollars to “Hunters for the Hungry” when renewing or purchasing their Virginia hunting license. Stop by the Hunters for the Hungry booth at the August 8-10 Outdoor Show and see what this tremendous program has done for the needy in Virginia. They have provided thousands of meals to the Commonwealth’s hungry by coordinating the donation, preparation and distribution of venison. For the competitive hunter, there will be several contests underway during the August, 2003 Virginia Outdoor Show. Included will be the Virginia Deer Classic, Gobble Classic, State Open Gobbling calling Contest, and Virginia State Open Owl Calling Contest. 

© 2003 Steve and Chelly Scala

Photo Credits:
Travis Scala enjoys a habitat hayride on the So. Maryland Izaak Walton Outdoor property during a recent NWTF-JAKES weekend. Photo by Chelly Scala © 2003 All Rights Reserved

Habitat hayrides are a great way for youngsters to learn about and enjoy the outdoors. This group is starting out on a tour in Southern Maryland during an NWTF- JAKES event in June, 2003. Photo by Chelly Scala © 2003 All Rights Reserved