August is the time when many are enjoying the premier fishing which the Maryland-Virginia Chesapeake Bay region offers. Family and angling time with friends is in full swing. Youngsters are enjoying that last great piece of summer in the outdoors before returning to school. While there are many reasons to stay outside and enjoy the traditional end of season, there is something indoors this month worth experiencing. The Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show sponsored by the Virginia Deer Hunters Association (VDHA), is holding their 21st annual event. All festivities take place at The Showplace, located at 3000 Mechanicsville Turnpike, on the outskirts of Richmond city. Free parking is available for all three days of the show. Tickets are $8 a day or $14 dollars for a weekend pass for adults. Youth, ages 15 and under when accompanied by an adult, are admitted free. This year’s show dates are Friday August 13 from 4 to 9:00 p.m., Saturday, August 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, visit the VDHA website at www.sportsmanshow.com or call Hugh Crittenden at (804) 748-7529.

     Head liners to be included during this year’s show include Tony Knight, the founder of “Knight Rifles”, a favorite brand among many muzzleloader hunters. Daren Wood, a well known deer hunter and professional guide in Virginia will be one of the featured speakers at the August, 2004 Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show. Waverly Coleman is one of the best bird dog trainers you could ever meet and is a regular at many field trial events. Waverly will be providing seminars on bird dog training during the show. Jim Crumley is the founder of “Treebark Camouflage” and will be on hand during the Saturday, August 14 section of the show, joining the NRA Great American Whitetail Collection. Jim will be talking bow hunting and sign autographs. Among the NRA Whitetail deer display will be the new Boone & Crockett non-typical world record buck harvested in Iowa, by 15 year old Tony Lovstuen. Staff from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) will be at the August 13-15, 2004 show to provide a variety of information for those interested in the outdoors. Knowledgeable wildlife biologists and State Game Wardens will be on hand to answer questions and discuss DGIF Programs and initiatives. Include some time to visit the “Hunters for the Hungry” booth to find out what this program is doing for Virginia’s less fortunate people. They provide donated venison, which is processed, wrapped and distributed to food banks, church groups and Social Services organizations throughout the Commonwealth.

     The 2004 Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show features three major contests. The Virginia Deer Classic, sponsored by Swedish Match, The Virginia Gobbler Classic - Beards and Spurs Contest, sponsored by Dibert Valve and Fitting Co. and the Virginia Open Turkey Calling Contest, sponsored by Green Top Sporting Goods. There will be over 270 exhibition booths with hunting supplies and accessories during the August 13-15, 2004 show. Those in attendance at this year’s show will have the opportunity to win a $300 gift certificate from Green Top Sporting Goods. 

     Attend the 2004 Virginia Outdoors Sportsman Show with the entire family and don’t forget to bring the youngsters by to see the clowns, “Dimples and Honee-Be”. Another family favorite is the T&J Slotcar racing exhibition. There is plenty of great fishing opportunities this month, with time to spare for attending this fun filled and informative show—see you there!

© 2004 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved