HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 12, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Big news for New England fishing and hunting enthusiasts: the “Northeast Fishing & Hunting Show, engineered by GMC” will be six weeks later than in past years – just in time for spring’s fishing and hunting season! The 20th event will be Friday, March 31 through Sunday, April 2, 2017 at the Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford, Conn.
“Connecticut’s only fishing & hunting show will be fun and useful for people gearing up for this spring’s outdoor season,” explains show organizer Kristie Gonsalves, President of North East Expos. “This is a great outing for the entire family with hundreds of booths of the newest fishing, hunting and outdoor equipment for sale by some of the nation’s top manufacturers, including a variety of fishing boats. Attendees can attend 50 hours of seminars with national and regional experts, speak with charter boat captains, watch expert fly fishing casting and fly tying shows, and enjoy many activities."
Experts include: Alberto Knie (a/k/a “Crazy Alberto”) – world-class extreme trophy game fish hunter, writer and product designer who specializes in Trophy Fishing and Conservation; whitetail hunters Dean and Shelli Vanier; Gerry Rightmyer & Steve Schicker, hosts of TV’s “Forever Wild Outdoors Adrenaline Adventure”; international bow hunter Del DelMastro; Angler and Bassmaster Mike DelVisco; Ralph Wilkins of National Geographic Channel’s “Wicked Tuna”; diving fisherman Mike Laptew; lure designer Al Gag; and Fishing Captains Brian Bacon, Greg Dubrule, TJ Karbowski, John Planeta, Mike Roy, Mel True, and Dave Brandt.
New this year is a 4,000-gallon Hog Traugh Fish Tank for fishing and casting demonstrations. Returning favorites include: hunting and pointing dog demonstrations from Dusty W German Shorthaired Pointers of Palmerton, Penn.; live eagles, owls and hawks of Talons! Birds of Prey; a Catch & Release Trout Pond for prizes; an interactive virtual fishing fighting chair; NRA Laser Shooting Range; Sportsmen’s Outpost’s archery range; and Connecticut Bass Federation’s Kids’ Bass Casting Competition.
Lang’s Auction, the world’s largest auction firm, will provide free appraisals of antique and collectible fishing lure and tackle.
The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s booths will feature mounted fish and animals and a tank of live fish. DEEP experts will provide consumer education on many topics, and present the latest fishing and hunting rules and regulations. A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Mobile VetCenter Bus will be staffed by outreach representatives.
Hours: Friday, March 31 from 12 noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, April 1 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission - cash only: $12 adults; $4 Children 5 to 12; Free under age 5.
April 1: first 200 veterans in line get in free with ID.
Sponsors include: GMC, Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen, The Fisherman Magazine, LeafFilter of Connecticut.
www.fishinghuntingshow.com or 860-844-8461 or Facebook.