It’s sportsman show time in the Northeast, and there is no better way to cool that cabin fever than by attending one or more, all within a reasonable driving distance of the Capital Region.
Here are five good choices:
HARRISBURG (Feb. 4-12)
This year’s Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show at the State Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pa., will feature more guns and gun manufacturers than ever before in the new Sportsman’s Shop Gun Alley, with such notables as Thompson Center Arms, Benelli, Steger and Smith & Wesson. Also in the gun-related category will be a daily “Legal Heat” Concealed Certification Class. If it has anything to do with guns and hunting, it will definitely be there.
And for Robin Hoods, there’ll be two Archery Halls featuring the latest in bows and bow equipment with representatives from Hoyt, Parker, Bear, Horton, Excalibur, Kodabow and more.
This year’s Fishing Hall will take up 172,000 square feet of space and it will be full of every type of fish specific tackle imaginable. Whether just looking or buying, what’s new will be there. It’s the place to be for TV fishing celebrity seminars.
Admission fees are: adults, $13; seniors, $12; children 6-12, $6.50. Show hours are: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday through Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Feb. 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the show’s full agenda, go to www.easternsportsshow.com.
WORCESTER (Feb. 10-12)
The Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Expo is in its 36th year at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass., and offers anglers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts a great place to find some new “toys.” As always, there are a number of interesting and thrilling attractions. These include a live seven-foot alligator handling demonstration by “swampmaster” Jeff Quattrocchi.
Bass anglers who want to put a few more large and smallmouth bass in the boat should attend a bass fishing seminar conducted by New Jersey 2003 Bassmaster Classic winner Mike Ioconelli and pro angler Pete Gluszek. There will be fly-fishing and casting instructions conducted all around the casting pond.
Hunters will have the opportunity to learn a few new tricks from the pros like “Deer Doctor” Peter Fiduccia and his wife, Katie. Freelance writers Stu Bristol and Paul Fuller will talk bird hunting and offer some good advice on turkey hunting and game tracking.
Admission fees are $10 for adults and $3 for children 5-11. Show times are: Feb. 10, 12:30-9 p.m.; Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Feb. 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information and the full agenda, go to www.sportshows.com.
JOHNSTOWN (Feb. 18-19)
Seven years ago, Mike Hauser brought the first Adirondack Outdoorsman Show to the Johnstown area, and the two-day show attracted over 4,000 people to the Johnstown Moose Club. Each year since, the show, still at the Moose Club, has increased in size and attractions. This year’s show will include vendors/displays for hunting, fishing, archery, boating, camping, hiking, snowshoeing, firearms and more. Those looking for local fishing guides should find some there.
Headliners this year will be Amsterdam native and Adirondack book author Don Wharton; Sy Lloyd, the “Bone Man,” who will display his animal skeletons and forensic bone studies; Doug Moody, creator of the Barkeater fly-fishing poles; Dan Ladd, fellow outdoor writer and author of several Adirondack deer hunting books; and Todd Mead, author of “A Lifetime of Big Woods Hunting Memories; Hunting in the Adirondacks with a Father and Son.”
Admission fees are: adults, $5, children 15 and younger, $1. Show times are: Feb. 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Feb. 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, go to www.adkshow.com.
SPRINGFIELD (Feb. 23 26)
This show at the Eastern States Exposition, home of the Big E in Springfield, Mass., is in its 29th year and continues to offer numerous hunting and fishing attractions. Headliners include Dick Scorazfava, noted whitetail deer hunter/expert; TV personality Jim Zumbo, who will be giving away a filmed hunt with him; and freshwater guide Blaine Mengel of Backwoods Angler TV who will talk fishing at his seminar.
Even if you don’t hunt with a dog, you will enjoy watching professional dog trainer Geoffrey English as he demonstrates the techniques he uses to get the most out of his hunting dogs.
Admission fees are: adults, $12, kids 6-12, $5; under 6, free. Show times are: Feb. 23, 3-9 p.m.; Feb. 24, noon to 9 p.m.; Feb. 25, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Feb. 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, go to www.osegsportsmens.com.
SUFFERN (March 1-4)
The World Fishing & Outdoor Exposition, at the SUNY Rockland Community College Field House in Suffern also has a number of attractions to help lower cabin fever. The No. 1 one bass fishing teaching school, Bass University, will be there with quite a lineup of touring bass pros to head the classes. Frank Addigton Jr. will amaze with his Robin Hood accuracy; there will be a great live animal show; the Hawg Trough full of lunker bass; fresh and saltwater seminars; and a multitude of family activities including a kid’s scavenger hunt, free giveaways and a kids’ casting event will make this a show for the whole family.
Admission fees are: adults, $12; children 5-11, $3; under 5, free. Show times are: March 1, 2-9 p.m.; March 2, 1-9 p.m.; March 3 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and March 4, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, go to www.sportshows.com.
All these shows have professional guides from all over the U.S., and many will be offering one-time show specials.
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Categories: Sports
