Outdoor show a success

By DARREN STEELE
Collegian Staff Writer

The Pennsylvania Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor show wrapped up yesterday at The Bryce Jordan Center, and for the second straight year, thousands of people convened for the event.

The show kicked off Friday with guest speakers such as Gary Alt, Pennsylvania's chief bear biologist, Rawley Cogan, head of the state Elk program, and Colleen Shannon, a regional land management supervisor.

The crowd was at its largest Saturday, as those in attendance were able to see the best the show had to offer. Large crowds formed around the Shavers Creek display. Onlookers were treated to live animal exhibits featuring turtles, snakes and birds of prey.

Environmental educator Doug Stigerwald and fellow staffers educated the crowd on wild animals and answered any questions about the many exhibits they had to offer. Shavers Creek walked away with the Best in Show award.

Celebrities were on hand as well. World Championship Wrestling's Hacksaw Jim Duggan was on hand to sign autographs and enjoy the show. Duggan is an avid outdoorsman.

The show offered an impressive variety of booths for almost any type of outdoor activity. The Bald Eagle Trout Tournament Association was on hand to promote its upcoming tourney on April 24-25. Archery hunters were given an almost overwhelming amount of displays.

Austin Outdoors had its new magnum big shot tree stands on display. The tree stands offer hunters one of the safest methods of hunting from a tree stand to date. There were a lot of hunting outfitters at the show as well, giving hunters the opportunity to embark on adventures from Alaska to Canada.

Turkey hunting seemed to be the main attraction, however. There was a large turnout at the annual turkey-calling contest, sponsored by the Nittany Long Beards, the local National Wild Turkey Federation chapter.