The Southern Tier Outdoor Show is back for its 11th year and will be held for the first time at the Steuben County Fairgrounds. But all the fun activities and exhibitors have not changed. There will be outdoor gear and seminars for the sportsmen and plenty of hands-on outdoor activities for the youth. The show is scheduled for October 14 and 15, 2017.
New this year is a free Mini Ice Camp for the kids. U.S.A. Ice Team member Ben Blegen is so excited to introduce the new generation to ice fishing that he rounded up Lucky John USA and Bucket Hoodie to sponsor an ice fishing rod and reel combo giveaway to each kid who attends. Kids will learn about ice safety, different kinds of bait used for ice fishing, basic techniques used to attract and catch fish and some really cool fish facts. The camps will last about 45 minutes and be offered three times a day during the show.
The show’s annual Youth Turkey Calling Contest will now be a sanctioned contest. This means that both youth and adults can compete and winners will be eligible to go to the national contest in Nashville next February. Rules and registration forms can be found on the website.
Another new activity this year will be beekeeping. Following the steady decline in the number of honeybee hives over the past few decades, support for the honeybees has grown in the way of a home honeybee hobby. The Soaring Capital Beekeepers Association from Horseheads will help kids understand the process. They will have a framed bee simulator to show kids the inside of a beehive, let them examine the beekeeping suits, and have activities and honey takeaways.
Many of the regular youth activities will still be on hand. There will be a fishing pond, tomahawk throw, archery, ropes course, martial arts, air rifle and laser shooting.
Families will be able to enjoy several wildlife shows. Morgan Eagle Falconry will show how birds of prey are used in the sport of hunting live game. The Bwana Jim Wildlife Show will showcase a variety of reptiles in a unique and memorable way that is sure to make everyone laugh. Upland and Antler Kennels will have a daily dog show. And Tanglewood Nature Center will be on hand with some of their critters. Families can also enjoy watching Elaine Foy transform fallen trees with her chainsaw. She creates a combination of folk art and whimsical fancies such as mermaids and dragons rather than the traditional chainsaw type carvings.
Everyone will be inspired by this year’s headliner, Matt “The Armless Archer” Stutzman. Although born with no arms, Matt has achieved what many feel would be impossible. He broke the Guinness World Record in 2016 for the longest accurate archery shot. Come watch how he does it, and listen how he uses humor at his own expense to be entertained, inspired and believing that anything is possible.
Sportsmen can get new gear and information from over 150 exhibitors. They can take part in any of a number of great seminars offered by the Pursuit Channel’s TV host of Forever Wild Outdoors. They can get their trophy buck scored by the New York Big Buck Club, or test out a Parker crossbow. And they can enter into the show drawing for a four-man Finger Lakes Waterfowl trip by Frontenac Fowlers Guide Service.
Vendor space is still available, and the show is seeking volunteers to help run the activities. Contact Carla Dawejko at 607-583-3224 for details.
Sponsors of the show include Wilkins RV, Inc, Hickory Hill Camping Resort, Tioga Downs Casino, Silver Lake Marine, Inc., Lamb & Webster, G.T. Hydrographics, Fins & Feathers Taxidermy, Wilbri Inc., Finger Lakes Chapter of the Friends of NRA, and CNY Custom Rods & Reels.
The show will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14 and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 15. Admission is just $5 per person or $10 per carload. Food will be available all day at the show. For more information visit SouthernTierOutdoorShow.com or call 607-664-2300. Join the show on Facebook at SouthernTierOutdoorShow and on Instagram at STOutdoorShow.
