Outdoor extravaganza hits Bryce Jordan Center

By DARREN STEELE
Collegian Staff Writer

If you're an outdoor enthusiast, you are aware this is somewhat of a dead time of the season. There is nothing in season, so you may now find yourself looking for something to do.

There is one place on campus, however, where you can hear the gobble of a turkey or cast for trout without worrying about getting a ticket from the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

This weekend, The Bryce Jordan Center will play host to the Pennsylvania Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Show. The show opens at 10 a.m. today and runs through 5 p.m. Sunday (the show runs 10 a.m.-9 p.m. today and tomorrow, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday). Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 12 and under.

"There are so many outdoor enthusiasts in this area," Bernie Punt, the Jordan Center's director of public relations, said. "This is a state-of-the-art facility. There are shows in Altoona, Clearfield and Johnstown. To have one centrally located is important; we know it will be an annual event. It seems to have evolved into an introduction to the spring gobbler and fishing seasons."

The show will provide a variety of activities for all comers. Enthusiasts can try out new fly rods and cast them into 10-by-50-foot casting pond. Children will have the opportunity to fish for trout with the help of professionals. They will then have the opportunity to decide whether they want to keep or release the fish.

For those who enjoy shooting guns in the house so to speak, Laserport virtual fishing and hunting games will be offered.

If interactive exhibits are not your cup of tea, you can show up for one of the variety of guest speakers. The speakers will cover a vast amount of topics, for example, women interested in the outdoors may find Colleen Shannon of interest.

Shannon is a Regional Land Management Supervisor for the PGC. She will give an interesting perspective on becoming an outdoorswoman and the opportunities for women in the outdoors field.

Hunters will find a variety of guest speakers giving instruction on topics such as bowhunting whitetail deer, fly-fishing and turkey-hunting tactics.

Turkey hunters who feel they can lure the big birds with their calling tactics can put it to the test this weekend. There will be a calling contest at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow. Callers will be judged on yelping, cutting, purring, cackling and clucking. Turkey calling contests have become the rage for the outdoor sports world. This contest will offer a challenge to even the most experienced callers. Divisions for the contest will include junior, amateur and professional, and first prize in each division is $400.

The main attraction may be the variety of different vendors on hand. Visitors to the show can see wild animals such as snakes and birds of prey at the Shavers Creek booth. Outfitters with very good reputations, such as Montana River Guides, will be on hand to offer information on their trout-fishing trips.

If you are at all interested in the outdoors or are looking to learn more about them, then a trip to the Jordan Center this weekend could be well worth your while.