Free event at Ben Avery Shooting Facility drew 17,000 last year

The Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo will be jam-packed with outdoor fun and adventure for the whole family on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, just west of I-17 on Carefree Highway.

The 1,600-acre Ben Avery facility will be transformed that weekend into the largest hands-on outdoor expo in Arizona. And, best of all, it’s free—there are no admission or parking fees.

We’ve expanded this year’s event,” says event coordinator Tristanna Bickford. “There’s something for everyone.”

You can bring your family to the huge catch-and-release fish tank in the Family Fun area, or experience live wildlife, up close and personal, from the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center. Take a hike on the hunter education trail to see how to set up a camp, or learn tips about wildlife identification.

Shooting sports enthusiasts can try out some of the latest firearms from Sturm, Ruger and Co., Smith & Wesson, GLOCK, Marlin and Benelli.

Interested in trying your hand at cowboy action shooting or black powder muzzleloading? Then you will want to visit the Specialty Shooting Range section of the Expo. You can even shoot a Gatling gun.

Are all-terrain vehicles your area of interest? You can visit the Off-Highway Vehicle Area to view ATVs, dirt bikes and other OHVs, watch customized rock crawlers do amazing feats, see safety demonstrations, or learn how to ride responsibly to protect wildlife habitat.

Expo visitors can learn to shoot a bow and arrow or try their hand at 3D archery on a walking course in the desert at the newly-enhanced Archery Area. Or you can get instruction on how to shoot skeet or sporting clays at the revamped and modernized Clay Target Center. Or learn about boating safety and see the debut of the new “Wear It Arizona” boat.

Want to pick up tips from local experts? There will be workshops throughout the weekend on a variety of topics, including venomous reptiles, Arizona’s birds of prey, quail hunting, river running, wildlife viewing, hunting dog training, and how to take advantage of Arizona’s best fishing in 25 years.

There will be fabulous demonstrations all weekend. See world-renowned trick shooter Tim Bradley do unbelievable shotgun demonstrations, or the famous “Evil Roy” showing his cowboy action shooting skills. There will be horse-mounted target shooting and hunting dog demonstrations as well.

Plus, there are more than 150 vendors, outdoor organizations, and other interesting exhibitors to visit, and plenty of good food to purchase at the Food Court.

“Last year, one outdoor family said that the Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo was more fun than Disneyland and it only cost them a few dollars for their food and drink and the ammunition they shot,” says Bickford.

Expo hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 29 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 30. Admission and parking are free. There is a nominal charge for ammunition at some of the shooting venues.

Gold sponsors of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo are Sportsman's Warehouse, the Weatherby Foundation, and the American Red Cross, Grand Canyon Chapter. Silver sponsors of the Expo are Bass Pro Shops, Lincoln Property Company, Cabela's, and Sundt.

For more information on the Outdoor Expo, visit www.azgfd.gov/expo.