One of the most amazing outdoor events is happening at the beautiful and award winning Ben Avery Shooting Range in Phoenix this weekend, the AZ Game and Fish Outdoor Expo. Two years ago, I discovered my passion for all things shooty at the Expo, and if you’re curious about hunting, fishing, archery or competitive shooting, there is no better (or cheaper) place on earth to get a taste of these challenging and rewarding sports.
So what does the FREE Outdoor Expo have to offer? Here’s a list of just some of the great things to do there, courtesy of the AZ Game and Fish Outdoor Expo Website:
This crowd-pleasing event offers dozens of exciting, hands-on outdoor recreational activities:
* Test your skill at archery;
* Take your kids to the huge catch-and-release fishing tank;
* See live wildlife demonstrations (hawks, owls, snakes, more);
* Hike a nature trail/field course;
* Try target shooting with different firearms on the range;
* Learn about outdoor skills, firearm safety and more;
* View exciting shooting demonstrations by the cowboy mounted shooters, cowboy action shooters and more;
* Attend informative workshops on fishing, hunting, wildlife conservation;
* See off-highway vehicle and boating exhibits;
* Visit with more than 100 exhibitors— sportsmen’s organizations, conservation groups, shooting clubs, wildlife agencies, and commercial vendors and exhibitors of outdoor products and services.
The event and parking are free, as well as almost all of the demos. A few of the local shooting clubs do charge a small fee (a few bucks) to cover ammo costs, but it’s still a fantastic value for anyone looking at trying out the shooting sports.
The folks in Northern Arizona and Arizona Game and Fish have been working their tails off for fifteen years to build a proper range in Northern Arizona, and with the purchase of the private 160-acre Foster Ranch in Coconino County (about 30 minutes outside of Flagstaff), Northern Arizona is closer than ever to having a safe, modern shooting facility, where the public and law enforcement can safely shoot and train.
Unfortunately, a few people with ties to left-leaning and anti-gun organizations*, are making an 11th hour attempt to block the development of the Foster Ranch shooting range by voicing their opposition to the Coconino County Board of Supervisors. If we don’t speak up in support of the range, it is quite possible the Board will assist the opposition and try and bring a halt to the development of this much needed range.
Northern Arizona needs the development of this range to continue without further delay, so we are asking everyone in support of the range (ESPECIALLY those that live in Northern Arizona) to please contact the members of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors and kindly let them know that you support the development of a shooting range on the Foster Ranch property and do not want to see any further delays.
Here are the Supervisors phone numbers. You can also use the Coconino County Board of Supervisors Contact form, and select “Board of Supervisors” from the drop down menu to send your message through the web.
District 1 – Carl Taylor (928) 679-7151
District 2 – Liz Archuleta (928) 679-7152
District 3 – Matt Ryan (928) 679-7163
District 4 – Mandy Metzger (928) 679-7154
District 5 – Lena Fowler (928) 679-7751
*The Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of Flagstaff’s Future and the National Parks Conservation Association are the “big” backers of the very small opposition group, Friends of Walnut Canyon.
Congratulations to the The TrainMeAZ campaign, who has put up the first of a series of billboards as part of their campaign to get the word out about how every gun owner in Arizona can ensure they are well trained and safe when handling a firearm.
A billboard just like the one above has been placed on the south side of Interstate 17, at the Peoria exit in Phoenix, and it’s estimated 135,000 people will see it every day.
You can take look at the other billboard designs that should be popping up around town at TrainMeAz.com. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out their list of shooting ranges and training opportunities in Arizona.
