The National Rifle Association’s Hunter Services Department will be hosting the first NRA Great American Hunting and Outdoor Show this weekend, Jan. 29-31, at the Carroll County Agriculture Center’s Shipley Arena in Westminster, Md.
Many of the East Coast’s top hunting, outdoor and shooting sports retailers will be exhibiting, including numerous outfitters and guides such as Gsell’s Whitetail Refuge. Nationally-known hunting and outdoor personalities will also be speaking at seminars during the show, including Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo of Archer’s Choice Media and Ray Eye of “Eye on the Outdoors” and “Winchester Turkey Revolution.”
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If you make it out to the show, stop by the NRA Hunters’ Rights booth (#87) and enter for a chance to win a free Henry youth .22 rifle. Only one winner will be selected. The rifle comes with a soft gun case and is the perfect starter gun for a young hunter.
Other features include the NRA Mason/Dixon Big Buck Contest, sponsored by Cabela’s; the Great American Whitetail Collection, which will showcase two dozen of the largest and highest-scoring whitetails in the world, including Maryland’s No. 1 non-typical whitetail of all-time, the 268 1/8-inch Bill Crutchfield Buck; and an exhibit of hunting firearms used by Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Tom Selleck presented by the National Firearms Museum. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s Federal Duck Stamp collection will also be on display.
“The NRA Mason/Dixon Big Buck Contest is a great way for hunters to compare their whitetail trophies to others from surrounding communities,” said Bob Davis, manager of NRA’s Hunter Services Department. “They also have the opportunity to see how their harvest stacks up against mounts from the Great American Whitetail Collection.”
Any paying attendee can enter a rack in the contest free of charge with a valid field or check tag attached. Any antlered deer will be scored (sheds will not be accepted), but only free ranging deer are eligible for an award. Bucks will be scored in two categories, Typical and Non-Typical, and there will be two divisions, Current Season and Historic, which encompasses deer taken before 2009. Following judging and evaluation, awards will be given by category, division, state, youth and female entries.
“The inaugural NRA Great American Hunting and Outdoor Show is full of exhibitors, interesting seminars, and exciting features for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages,” said Bill Poole, director of NRA’s Education & Training Division. “Our flagship event will also help promote hunting and introduce people to all that the NRA does for hunters.”
General admission to the show is $10, but NRA Members pay just $8 when they present their valid membership card. Children age 11 and under receive free admission. Visitors can also join or renew their NRA membership at the show for only $35 and receive a free weekend pass to the show.
Show Dates & Times:
Friday, Jan. 29, 2010: 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
For more information on the inaugural NRA Great American Hunting and Outdoor Show, visit www.nrahq.org/hunting/2010show.asp to view the seminar schedule, floor plan, a list of exhibitors and other show information.
