AZGFD Outdoor Expo Draws More Than 31,000

Despite record temperatures, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 2015 Outdoor Expo presented by Shikar Safari Club International, held March 28-29 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, was visited by 33,100 people.

This does not include the Friday Youth Day, geared toward school children, teachers and chaperones, which was attended by 5,900. The Youth Day also was held at the Ben Avery facility.

The annual Expo showcases activities such as fishing, hunting, shooting sports, archery, camping, off-highway vehicle recreation, boating recreation, and wildlife viewing and education.

In addition to the hands-on activities, more than 170 exhibitors were on hand, including sportsmen’s and conservation organizations, government agencies, and commercial vendors of outdoor products and services.

"This year’s Expo continues to build a strong Arizona community of active outdoor clubs, retailers and manufacturers,” said AZGFD Chief of Wildlife Recreation Scott Lavin. “It is the support of this ever-growing community that helps keep the Expo free to the public and helps educate people of the importance of conservation and healthy outdoor lifestyle.”

Title sponsor of this year’s Outdoor Expo was Shikar Safari Club International. Gold sponsors were Cabela’s and Arizona State Credit Union.

Silver sponsors were Sportsman’s Warehouse, Bass Pro Shops, HPR Ammunition, Iron City Polaris, Strategic Armory Corps, A to Z Equipment Rentals & Sales, Smith & Wesson, Weatherby Foundation International, and the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation.

Bronze sponsors were Bill Luke Dodge, Beretta USA, Mule Deer Foundation / M.U.L.E.Y.

Next year’s Outdoor Expo will be held on April 2-3 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. More information will be posted at http://www.azgfd.gov/expo as it becomes available.