The Michigan Deer & Turkey Expo will return to The Lansing Center from Feb. 19-21, 2016, it was announced today by Jake Steingraeber, Deer & Turkey Expo’s executive director. A bolstered exhibitor variety, hands-on activities, and the expanded series of deer hunting focused seminars from experts in the deer hunting world such as Scott Bestul, Patrick Simpson, Smokey McNicholas, and Tim Andrus, highlight the three-day event. Country music star, Josh Thompson, will perform a special concert on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 7:00pm – 8:00pm.
Josh Thompson has released two albums and has placed six singles on the Hot Country Songs list. Additionally, Thompson has written songs for the greats, such as Brad Paisley, James Wesley, and Jason Aldean. Perhaps one of his most famous songs is “Way Out Here,” quickly followed by “Won’t be Lonely Long.” Sponsored by FOX 47 WSYM TV, Thompson will be playing songs from his new album “Change: The Lost Record Volume One.”
“I’m excited about three things for the Michigan Deer & Turkey Expo,” said Steingraeber. “The move back to the Lansing Center where there will be more exhibit space, a higher quality exhibitor list and a more focused seminar lineup of deer hunting topics. All of these things coupled together will make for a great weekend of fun for the whole family.”
Hundreds of hunting exhibitors and outfitter booths will be available for deer and turkey enthusiasts. Seminars will be held all three days and will feature hunters who have dedicated time and energy to provide cutting edge information. Many topics will be covered including habitat management, food plots, a wide variety of deer and turkey hunting techniques, plus hunting for sheds with dogs and do-it-yourself venison processing and more.
The Whitetails of North America Display will be on-site featuring monster bucks from all across the country, including full body mounts of the world record Typical and Non-Typical Bucks. New products will have a specialty display area and dozens of door prizes will be giveaway with drawings daily. As a bonus, a free one-year subscription to either magazine is included with paid admission.
Chainsaw carving demonstrations will be held daily by Mike Brownfield, along with flint knapping in a primitive weapons and tools display. A Wild Mushroom Hunting Info Center is available to Expo attendees to answer questions about mushrooms, hosted by Tom Nauman of Morel Mania, Inc. World famous archer Byron Ferguson will be performing his archery trick shooting show throughout the weekend. An exhibit on Traditional Black Powder Hunting will be on display, with foremost authority, Dennis Neely, on site. Additionally, attendees are given the opportunity to get up close and personal with cougars, bobcats, wolves, and bears for picture taking.
Other key event highlights include the shed antler contest and the trophy deer contest where entries can be officially scored and displayed for all to see. Wall of fame entries with a 150+ inch whitetail mount previously scored can also be put on display for the weekend and will receive a free Expo pass if brought between 10:00am-1:00pm on Friday. Archery, airgun, hoverball, and bowfishing ranges are open to attendees. This year, women will be empowered through Karen Butler’s Shoot Like a Girl Virtual Range, where women will have the chance to shoot pistols, rifles, and compound bows with instruction.
The expo opens Friday, February 19, at 2:00 pm and closes Sunday, February 21, at 4:00 pm. Daily hours are: Friday, 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm; Saturday, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm, and Sunday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Country music concert is Saturday, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
Registration is open for exhibitors and convention attendees. In addition, advance ticket sales for attendees is now open. As a bonus, a free one-year subscription to Field & Stream or Outdoor Life is included with paid admission. For advance ticket purchase information and all expo details, go to http://www.deerinfo.com/michigan and click on Tickets. Advance tickets are available for adult and youth tickets only and include a $3 discount. All other tickets must be purchased at the door.
The Michigan Expo is sponsored by Dick CEPEK Tires & Wheels, Protect the Harvest, Remington, Lucas Oil and Yamaha.
