With the Harrisburg outdoor sports show cancelled for this year, local sportsmen who don’t relish driving to Oaks, Pa for the upcoming Philly Outdoor Sports Show, can take in a more condensed version when the Lehigh Valley Sportsman’s Show makes it debut on March 2.
The two day show (Mar. 2 and 3) will open at Allentown’s Agri-Plex Expo Center (Ag Hall) where it was last held back in 2001 when Dick Laros, former Allentown taxidermist, ran it for many years. Prior to that, the show was originally held at Castle Gardens in Dorney Park (only us old timers would remember that venue).
Taking up the reins of the new show is Dennis Brozey, who is a veteran of local shows with his P.B.M. Productions Company.
For this inaugural outdoor show, Brozey has aligned with Cabela’s and the 2 Million Bullets campaign headed by Allentown teacher, John Annoni who is director of Camp Compass, as lead sponsors of the show.
Cabela’s has pledged numerous door prizes to be handed out throughout both days of the show.
In addition, Brozey has lined up Keystone Elk County Alliance, Delaware River Shad Fishermen’s Association, Pa Game Commission, Lehigh Valley Branch of Quality Deer Management, Little Lehigh Trout Unlimited and the Lehigh River Stocking Association as some of the exhibitors.
The shows’ seminar schedule includes the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center who will bring reptiles, owls, raptors and other birds of prey that they’ve nurtured from injuries;
the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) will display and demonstrate the use of the weapons that won the West with all members being attired in Western-wear.
Also on tap is Butch Mellinger, a Horton Crossbow Pro Staff member who will show movies of African hunts he was on and where he was able to use a crossbow to take Africa’s Big 5 Grand Slam.
Lance Durham, of L.D. Guide Service will present a program on fishing up North and share his river fishing techniques.
Additionally, Shawn Kotchey and his “Calling and Understanding the Wild Turkey; Hunting Outfitters who book hunts all over the U.S., Canada and Africa; Charter Boat Captains from the East Coast will detail fishing for blues to marlins; plus a myriad of vendors with guns, archery, boats, motor homes to campers, log homes, custom built rods, ATVs even mules booked for this local show.
Show hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Mar. 2 and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Mar. 3. Admission is $10 with children under 12 free. And of course, parking is free. For updated information check www.lehighvalleysportmanshow.com.
SPORTSMAN’S FLEA MARKET
Blue Mountain Fish & Game Association is holding its fourth annual Sportsman’s Flea Market Feb., 16, where the gamut of new and used hunting, fishing and camping gear will be up for sale.
The club’s Cabin Fever Flea Market will have over 50 tables and vendors on site plus Fish Tek, Lehigh Valley Kayak Bass Club, Finn Hookers Charter Service and Vanishing Whitetails adding variety to the market.
And if you have new or antique fishing equipment and would like an appraisal, Tom Lash from Reading will offer free appraisals.
Blue Mountain F&G is located at 4190 Wood Drive, Walnutport. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. with an early-bird admission of $5 and drops to $3 after 9 a.m. But remember, the early bird gets the pick of the best deals. Children under 16 are free.
NWTF BANQUET
The Jerry Zimmerman Memorial Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold their annual banquet on Friday, March 1 at Rodeway Inn Conference Center (at Routes 22 & 309) in Allentown.
The social hour kicks off at 5 p.m. allowing patrons an opportunity to check out the donated items that will be up for bid. An all-you-can-eat buffet-style dinner begins at 7 p.m.
Highlighting the event is a donated print by local renowned wildlife artist Dan Christ and one-of-a-kind custom made wing bone call made by Bob Danenhower of Bob’s Wildlife Taxidermy in Orefield.
A live auction will be held featuring a 7-day African Safari Hunt in the Lompoco River Valley of South Africa that was donated by Hunting Legends. That, plus a myriad of camping, fishing, hunting, rifles and shotguns will be raffled-off.
Part of the events’ proceeds go to habitat work in Pennsylvania, land acquisitions, Wheelin’ Sportsman disabled hunters, Jakes Youth Field Days and the Women in the Outdoors event in Pennsylvania.
For more information and tickets call Bruce Dietrich (610-298-2424) or Scott Richards (610-393-9761). Tickets will not be sold at the door.
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