Barring another major snowstorm, you may consider driving out to the Harrisburg Farm Show Complex this week for this year’s Great American Outdoor show hosted by the NRA.

Billed as the largest outdoor show in the country, it kicked off this past Saturday (Feb. 7) and runs until Friday, Feb 15. It will feature over 1,000 exhibitors ranging from shooting manufacturers to outfitters, fishing gear, archery equipment, boats, RVs, trucks, taxidermy exhibits, deer skinning/butchering demonstrations, outdoor art, celebrities and country singers.

There will be nine halls of the latest firearms, archery equipment that can be tried, tree stands, hunting blinds, air guns and lots more.

This year will bring over 400 outfitters and boat captains from around the world to book hunting/fishing trips plus several fishing and hunting seminars and cooking demonstrations of wild game.

On the competition area, there’s the Pennsylvania Lumberjack Championships, Elk Calling Championships, 3D Bowhunter Challenge, Spot Shooting, Hawg Tank for live fishing demonstrations, Dock Dog Competitions, and for the youngsters, there’s the Eddie Eagle Zone with interesting activities for the kids, Rock Climbing, live trout fishing, kids casting and face painting.

Back again is the Wall of Guns, a large showcase that features the latest in firearms for which showgoers can purchase chances for the firearms when they’re auctioned during the last day of the show.

Show tickets can be bought at the show or online at www.gaos@nrahq.or. For added show information and show times call 800-672-4868.

Ticket prices are Adults ($17); 2-Day ticket ($28); Children 6-12 ($10); Seniors 65 and over $14).

The Farm Show Complex is located at 2300 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, 17110.

WINTER

PHEASANT

STOCKING

For the second year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission will be releasing approximately 8,400 pheasants, mostly hens, in the last two weeks of the pheasant hunting season, which runs through Feb. 28.

The releases are planned to occur over a two-day window on Wed., Feb. 11 and Thursday, Fe. 12 at selected locations in each of the PGCs six regions. However, hunters should be aware that weather and logistical issues could result in last-minute changes to the planned schedule.

Here in the Southeast Region only SGL 280 at Blue March Lake (Berks Co) will be stocked. Up state in the Northeast Region the following will get birds: SGL’s 36, 123, 219, 250 and 289 (Bradford Co.); SGL 40 and Beltzville area (Carbon Co.); SGLs 226 and 329 (Columbia Co.); SGL 187 and Nescopeck State Park (Luzerne Co.); SGLs 84 and 165 (Northumberland Co.).

The PGC says that none of the pheasants released will be leg-banded, however hunters might harvest a banded bird that was released earlier in the season.

These hens are being released as an insurance policy of sorts against any disease issues that might arise in the suppliers primary breeder flocks. With flocks presently healthy, it’s not feasible to hold onto these “backup” birds that were held to provide late-winter hunting opportunities, notes the PGC.