Cast & Blast: World Deer Expo in Birmingham
There are many ways that you can get information about hunting, fishing and outdoor activities, but one of my favorites is an Expo! Over the spring and summer, there are events all over the southeast, but one of my favorites is close to home at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center.
Thinking back, one of my favorite memories in 1992 was when I attended the World Deer Expo in Birmingham. Early that Saturday morning my friends Jack, Slade, Norman and I left Montgomery with high hopes of the winning the big buck contest.
I was fortunate to have harvested my biggest buck the previous year. It was a main frame 8 point with tons of mass and 13-inch long G2 tines. Needless to say, I was very proud of my trophy buck. His gross score was 156 Boone and Crockett with a net score of 1503/8. We thought my deer had the contest won for the largest 8-point division, but later that afternoon, another hunter entered his 8-point buck which scored 1½ inches more than mine. We all were very disappointed, but at the end of the day, I felt a little better knowing that I had harvested the second largest 8-point deer in the state.
Mark your calendars for July 18-20 in downtown Birmingham. This huge three-day weekend event is coming to the BJCC. This is a sportsman weekend paradise! It is the largest three-day hunting consumer show and will be full of fun for everyone who loves hunting, fishing and the great outdoors. The Expo has the latest and greatest of hunting products and apparel. There will be outfitters from all over the world. You can also participate and attend many events like the BHA archery tournament, Alabama whitetail records big buck competition and seminars from professional hunters.
There will be many outdoor celebrities, a country artist concert, hunt giveaways, hourly door prizes, activities fun for kids and much more. Some of the guests include the Swamp People, R.J. and Jay Paul, Bone Collectors Travis (T Bone) Turner, Lizard Lick — Bobby Brantley, Jennifer Brackett, Dexter Roberts, Realtrees Tyler Jordan, Moonshiners Tyler Woods, Alex Rutledge plus Dexter Roberts with "American Idol" will be there all three days for a meet and greet in booth 89.
For a limited time, tickets can be purchased in advance. All advance ticket holders will qualify for a chance to win $500,000. The one-day ticket price for (ages 12 and up) is $13, a child ticket (4-11) $7 and kids 3 and under are free.
Times are 3-10 p.m. July 18, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. July 19and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 20.
So make your plans now to be in Birmingham. It will surely be big fun for the entire family. For more information, go to www.31stworlddeerexpo.com.
(Rob Newman and Steve Long can be heard on their Cast & Blast radio show from 7-9 a.m. on Sports radio 740-AM. Please send any comments or ideas about their column to sports@montgomeryadvertiser.com).