2010 Wildlife Expo to feature Oklahoma’s outdoors Sept. 25-26

Fall is fast approaching in Oklahoma, which often means family gatherings, making memories and time spent outdoors — all of which can be done Sept. 25-26 at the sixth annual Oklahoma Wildlife Expo.
The Wildlife Expo, sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and coordinated by hundreds of volunteer organizations and individuals, is held each year at the Lazy E Arena, just north of Oklahoma City. The event offers three days of nonstop outdoor action for all ages and levels of experience with the outdoors — and it’s free.
“The idea is to provide an absolutely free opportunity for people to come see all that Oklahoma’s outdoors have to offer,” said Rhonda Hurst, Expo coordinator for the Wildlife Department. “By getting people interested in the outdoors, we are confident we can raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation.”
The Expo takes a hands-on approach to educating visitors about the outdoors.  Guests can try their own hand at shooting a shotgun or bow and arrow, riding a mountain bike or ATV, floating in a kayak, building a birdhouse, catching a fish and more.
Booths and other activities inside the arena offer information and resources about outdoor opportunities that visitors may not even know are available to them in Oklahoma. Visitors can learn about fly fishing or deer hunting or even sample wild game meat and snacks cooked outside in a Dutch oven.
Attending a seminar can enhance visitors’ knowledge on a number of outdoor topics ranging from aging deer on the hoof to training hunting dogs or caring for wild game meat in the field.
Additionally, shoppers have a chance to look at and buy outdoor gear at the Expo’s Outdoor Marketplace, a large area where vendors are set up to display and sell outdoor-related products and services.
The Wildlife Department works with a range of organizations, individuals and outdoor-related companies to host the Expo.
Expo hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 25-26. Admission is free.