More than 400 exhibitors will occupy South Towne Exposition Center in Sandy Thursday through Sunday for the 11th annual Utah International Sportsmen's Exposition.
Exhibitors include outfitters and guides, fishing and hunting resorts, clubs and organizations, and representatives of fishing, hunting, camping and outdoor apparel products. There also will be vehicles of all types -- ATVs, motorcycles, boats, personal watercraft, trucks and trailers.
The event at 9575 S. State St. will feature competitions in Dutch oven cooking, barbecuing, duck and elk calling, fly casting and archery. Once again, the state Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah State Parks and state Department of Natural Resources will present a Youth Outdoor Sports Fair with information about catch-and-release fishing, animal identification and boating and off-road safety.
Past shows have drawn large crowds, reflecting a Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation report that Utah has 351,000 hunters and anglers. Collectively, the report said, they spend $696 million annually, generating $70 million in state and local taxes and supporting 13,000 jobs that provide $350 million in wages.
"The outdoors is a huge industry in Utah," said ISE President Brian Layng, adding "the money hunters and anglers spend on licenses and excise taxes make up about 75 percent of state wildlife agencies' revenues." Those funds are used to improve habitat, provide access to wildlife and outdoor areas, stock bodies of water with fish, and feed animals whose natural food supplies are buried in deep snow.
The show runs from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for youth 13-17. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
Tickets are available at the door and at http://saltlakecity.sportsexpos.com.
