28th Extravaganza opens today

Big bucks are always the stars of the three-day show

Outdoors goes inside today when the 28th annual Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza opens at the Trade Mart in Jackson.

The three-day event runs through Sunday, and by then about 30,000 people are expected to attend and use the opportunity to view and purchase the latest in hunting and fishing equipment, entertain kids with many hands-on activities, get information from public and private conservation groups and see the top bucks taken during the 2013-14 deer season.

“From the looks of the exhibitors that are setting up (Thursday), it’s going to be as interesting as usual,” said Paul Thomas, who was assisting in preparing one of the estimated 200 exhibits. “By the time we throw in the big bucks, this place will be rocking and rolling.”

Show hours are 3 to 9 p.m. today, and it is children’s day with all kids aged 12 and under gaining free admittance. Daily adult tickets are $10, and children aged 6-12 pay $5 on Saturday (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Activities include air gun and bow ranges, a fish pond and even a hand-grabbing pool where they can do battle with catfish.

“That I got to see,” said Thomas. “I can’t imagine that, but I bet there will be a long line of young’uns who will jump right in and try.”

The weekend includes a full schedule of demonstrations on everything from retrievers to falconry to snake I.D., and seminars ranging from photography to turkey calling.

Celebrity guests include bass pro Larry Nixon and outdoor TV star Eva Shockey. Ronnie “Cuz” Strickland of Mossy Oak Outdoors headlines a list of noted residents as part of a Mississippi Homecoming. Others include world champion turkey caller and call maker Preston Pittman, national champion duck caller and call maker Greg Hood and members of Team Primos.

The stars of the show, however, are always the mounted heads in the Big Buck Contest. Hunters can begin entering their deer today at 3 p.m. and noon Saturday is the deadline. All deer must remain on display through the show’s conclusion.

For a complete list of exhibitors, seminars and demonstrations, and other information, visit the Mississippi Wildlife Federation online at mswildlife.org.

SHOW INFO

What: 28th annual Wildlife Extravaganza, sponsored by the Mississippi Wildlife Federation.

When: Friday, Aug. 1, 3-9 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 2, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and, Sunday, Aug. 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Mississippi Trade Mart, on the Fairgrounds in Jackson.

Tickets: Daily admission is $10 adults; $5 children 6-12; and, free to children 5 and under. Friday is kids day and all children 12 and under are admitted free.