West Virginia Explorer

W.Va.’s largest hunting-fishing show set for Sept. 22-23

Fishing | Hunting

September 19, 2018

Will Reedy

Outdoor enthusiasts are invited to Stonewall Resort State Park in Lewis County for West Virginia’s Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day Sept. 22-23, 2018, according to the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources.

The event is the largest outdoor hunting-and-fishing show in the Mountain State, with approximately 100 vendors exhibiting hunting, fishing and conservation-related merchandise and information.

Staff from the Wildlife Resources, Law Enforcement and State Parks sections of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will be available throughout the weekend to assist visitors in learning skills and to answer any questions they may have.

West Virginia native Frank Addington Jr. will perform hour-long shows at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday. Addington’s bow-and-arrow razzle-dazzle will feature shooting aspirin-sized objects out of the air. The entirety of the show is shot with a recurve bow behind his back.

For the first time, the Mountain State Kayak Anglers are hosting a bass-fishing tournament. Up to 200 anglers will compete Saturday on Stonewall, Stonecoal and Burnsville lakes. A cash prize of $10,000 will go to the top angler during the awards ceremony at noon Sunday.

The Outdoor Youth Challenge will take place Saturday and Sunday. Youth ages 6-18 may participate and will be eligible to win prizes such as a lifetime hunting and fishing license and hunting- and fishing-related items. Youth who compete in the five scored events can win a scholarship to Conservation Camp and Jr. Conservation Camp.

Seminars on wild game cooking, snakes, coyote calling and hunting, waterfowl hunting with dogs, and recording your own hunts will be presented each day. The event is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $10 for adults and free for children 14 and younger. Complete schedules are available at www.wvdnr.gov under the Special Opportunities heading. The event is co-sponsored by the division and the West Virginia Wildlife Federation.