It’s billed as the World’s Largest Outdoor Show, and it is. Kicking off Feb. 1-9, the Great American Outdoor Show returns again to the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. Known locally as the “Harrisburg Show” among local sportsmen, this huge show comprises everything from the latest in firearms, fishing gear, hunting equipment, archery gear, new trucks, boats, ATVs, snowmobiles, campers and more for showgoers to see. It takes an entire day, or two, to see everything on display from outfitters, taxidermists, free seminars and the annual Great Country Concert featuring Riley Green, an award-winning country singer. This year’s show will have over a thousand exhibitors showing their latest firearms and gear plus over three-hundred outfitters displaying a gamut of outdoor gear and equipment. That plus, over 200 seminars with a chance to win firearms from NRA’s Wall of Guns display. Dog lovers will enjoy watching the DockDogs Competition, where sportsmen bring their hunting dogs to propel off a dock and into a swimming pool in attempt to retrieve a decoy. Whatever dog has the best time to retrieve the decoy gets an award. There will be several competitions such as 3D Bowhunting Challenger shoots, Elk Calling Championships, a kids casting contest. For avid bass anglers, bass fishing pros will give proven fishing techniques and demonstrations by the trailer-long Hawg Tank that contains live bass. Kids aren’t left out as the show has a Kids Trout pond that allows kids to fish for a trout within a pool. There’s also the Eddie Eagle Kids Zone with games, face painting and lots more. For teens, there’s the Rock-Climbing Wall to try. For bowhunters considering a new bow, an onsite archery shooting range at the Archery Pavilion will allow you to try before you buy. There will be the latest tree stands and hunting blinds to check out. Woman aren’t left out as there will be daily Wild game Cooking classes and demonstrations. Offered for all is an Airsoft Shooting Experience to try. In the Big Arena, a PA Lumberjack Competition takes place where contestants will compete in several categories. It’s a show for all as these men chop, cut and climb for top lumberjack. Available is a free mobile app for the shows’ floorplan, seminar schedules, dates/times, with the capability to select a specific exhibitor section to visit. To avoid standing in line to enter the show, merely go to the The Great American Outdoor site where tickets can be purchased online. Ticket prices are Adults ($15); 2 Day, ($25); children 6-12 ($9); Seniors 65 plus ($13); Groups 10 minimum ($13) and children under five are free with a paid adult. Show hours are as follows: Saturday, Feb, 1, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, Feb 2, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Monday, Feb. 3, through Friday, Feb. 7, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 8, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 2, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Farm Show Complex is located at Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The best advice for showgoers, wear comfortable walking shoes. There’s a lot to see and do.
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If you’re looking for a job or career change and enjoy the outdoors, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) may have a career position you may be interested in pursuing. The PFBC is recruiting for their 27th Waterways Conservation Officer trainee class. To get started, the State Civil Service Commission will begin accepting applications now through Feb. 3, 2025. If you qualify, the class of trainees will undergo a comprehensive training program at various sites in the Commonwealth, including the PFBC, H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety in Bellefonte, Center County. Trainees will study law enforcement principles and practices, fish and boat laws, watercraft safety, environmental protection and other related content. The new class of trainees are expected to report for training later this year and graduate in the summer of 2026. According to the PFBC, Waterways Conservation Officers (often referred to a fish wardens as game protectors are referred to as game wardens), are law enforcement professionals who have a passion for the outdoors and work to protect, conserve and enhance Pennsylvania’ aquatic resources. WCOs are specifically trained in all aspects of fisheries conservation (they also conduct trout stockings), watercraft safety and they work to preserve fishing and boating opportunities on Pennsylvania’s 86,000 miles of rivers, streams and lakes. They work outdoors and have unmatched appreciation for the hundreds of native species of fish, reptiles and amphibians in Pennsylvania. Applications will only be accepted online. To view the announcement and apply, visit the Pennsylvania employment website at www.employment.pa.gov. Applicants must meet the following basic criteria: *Pennsylvania residency *Possess a valid driver’s license *Be at least 21 years of age *High school graduate or GED *Pass a criminal history background check Upon submitting an application, applicants will be required to take the SCSC exam no later than March 5, 2025. For more information check the “WCO Recruitment” page on the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com). ICE FISHING REPORT According to Chris from Chris’s Bait & Tackle in Mertztown, Ontelaunee Reservoir in upper Berks County has 4-6 inches of ice with some open water in the main lake, He heard nothing about Leaser Lake but he has customers doing well at Promised Land Upper Lake that has a reported 6-7 inches, while Shohola Lake has ice but no depth reports from there. He’s been selling mostly minnows to the ice fishermen. Additional reports have Tobyhanna Lake with 4-5 inches, Brady’s Lake had three inches of black ice 50 yards out from shore, Belmont Lake had 5 inches, Prompton Lake had 5 plus, Stillwater Lake had 6 plus and White Oak had 5 inches. Friends of Leaser Lake members recently posted that lake is no fully frozen but member Brad Neikam reported safe ice from dam to the north launch . Also received late report that Minsi Lake in Northampton County had 5 inches and anglers were on it. Weather reports indicate cold weather should prevail for most of this week so hard water fishing should be good. |
AuthorNick Hromiak has been an outdoors and automotive writer for over 30 years. He's been published in numerous national and state-wide outdoor magazines and newspapers.
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